THE finishing touches are being made to this year’s Wallyford Children’s Gala, which will be celebrated on Saturday, June 3.

This year’s gala queen Lacey Doman and gala king Kayden Clelland will be crowned by Alister Hadden, former chairman of Wallyford Community Council, who recently retired from the group after 25 years’ service.

Mr Hadden said: “When I got the phone call from Sharon Jamieson, of the Wallyford gala team, I was overwhelmed as it was one of the nicest things I have been asked to do and it came so very unexpected.

“It made me feel very privileged to be asked to be part of the biggest community event in the calendar year in Wallyford, by being given the great honour of crowning this year’s gala king and gala queen.”

He paid tribute to the gala team for “all the hard work, time and effort” the volunteers gave to fundraising for and organising the “massive” event for the local community.

He said: “You just feel no greater honour can be bestowed upon you from the community you live in and it’s all thanks to the generosity of the gala team.

“You pray that the weather will be on your side on the day and it gets the normal massive support it deserves, making it a thoroughly enjoyable day for everyone to celebrate and remember.”

Gala tickets have been on sale from gala team members at Wallyford Miners Club this week, including today (Thursday) from 6pm to 8pm, and Sunday from 10am to noon.

Tickets, which cost £8 per person, give unlimited access to rides on the day. A sausage roll, bottle of water and an ice cream from the ice cream van is also included.

People taking part in the fancy dress parade should assemble in the car park at Wallyford Miners Club by 11am on the morning of the gala.

Lacey and Kayden will be crowned in the park, next to the railway station, at noon.

This year, Salters Road will close completely to all traffic for the parade to the Mining Memorial Stone, where wreaths are traditionally laid in memory of the 38 miners who lost their lives in Wallyford collieries.

Children from the gala court also visit Drummohr Care Home, where they receive refreshments.

Suzanne Laidlaw, of the gala team, said: “Last year was our first back after Covid and was a huge success so we’re hoping that this year’s is just as special.

“Last year, as a trial, we had a colour bomb session at the end of the gala day to wrap the whole day up.

“It was a huge success so we’re bringing it back this year – the adults and children loved it!”

She added: “As a team, we work hard behind the scenes all year for our village to benefit from gala day.

“We are a small team of only 10. With the village ever expanding, we are continually looking for new team members to join us in putting on such a great day.

“Anyone who may be interested in joining our team can approach any gala team member or message us on our Facebook page – Wallyford Children’s Gala.”