EXCITEMENT is mounting for this year’s Wallyford Children’s Gala after the event was cancelled for the past two years because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Gala day takes place at the local park on Saturday, June 4, with the 40-strong gala court, including this year’s gala queen Summer O’Neill and gala king Darren Crawford, taking centre stage.

Everyone is welcome to take part in the fancy dress parade which leaves the park at 11am, with the gala court bound for Wallyford Miners Club. The procession then makes its way along Salters Road. A stop is traditionally made at the Wallyford Mining Memorial Stone, where a wreath is laid in memory of the miners who lost their lives at local collieries. A visit is paid to residents at Drummohr Care Home before the procession makes its way back to the park for the gala fun and games.

Residents are also being asked to support the community event by hanging bunting outside their homes.

Children from the 2020 gala court were also given the chance to take part this year after their gala was cancelled. There was no gala court selected for 2021.

A gala team spokesperson said: “Everyone is so excited this year. We have new rides coming and loads of stalls. There will be music, dancing, big rides and little rides – something for everyone.

“We want to make it special as the children have really missed it the past couple of years. The gala court have been brilliant at rehearsals and have taken it in their stride.”

Tickets for the gala will be on sale at Wallyford Miners Club on: Wednesday, April 27, 6-8pm; Friday, April 29, 12.30-2.30pm; and Sunday, May 1, 10am-noon.

Alister Hadden, chairman of Wallyford Community Council, said: “It’s great to see annual events and traditions, such as Wallyford Gala day, back in full bloom. The gala began some time in the 1930s in Wallyford.”

He paid tribute to the gala team and everyone else who helped organise the event, adding: “Everyone will be delighted to have it firmly back as an annual fixture, and back socialising.”

Suzanne Laidlaw, of the gala team, added: “Even though there has been no gala since 2019, the gala team have been extremely busy as they had their gala court selected before Covid hit. At Easter time they delivered Easter eggs to all the court children. They also drove round the entire village at Christmas time with Santa and delivered selection boxes to all children.

“When they knew gala day wasn’t happening, they raised some funds and donated £2,000 towards the Christmas lights.”