THE stage is set for this year’s Wallyford Children’s Gala on Saturday.

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.

Fancy dress parade entrants should assemble in the car park at Wallyford Miners Club by 11am on the morning of the gala.

Judges Stuart Durham, of Wallyford Community Centre, Isabella O’Donnell, vice-chair of Wallyford Miners Club, and Joan Coyle, who has helped with many local events and groups, have the tough task of choosing winners.

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

Andrew Agnew, pastor at Wallyford Livingroom Church, will conduct the service.

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 will also visit Drummohr Care Home, where they will receive refreshments.

Entry to the park is free but the gala team will be selling wristbands on the day for £10 each, which give children unlimited access to age appropriate rides.

Colour bomb sessions for the children will round off the day.

The gala fun gets underway today (Friday) with Mr Durham, Mrs O’Donnell and Mrs Coyle judging the best decorated house competition.

The winners will be announced on Saturday.

Suzanne Laidlaw, of the gala team, said: “We are looking forward to gala day on Saturday.

“We have had our final rehearsal and the children are getting excited now.”

She added: “As part of the gala team, I’d like to say a huge thanks to all our sponsors and everyone who supported us in our fundraising events throughout the year.

“Without them we wouldn’t be able to provide as much for our gala day.

“It’s a huge event that we put on and the small team of 10 work extremely hard behind the scenes, donating their time all year long to provide such a special day for the children and families of Wallyford.

“We just want to see everyone enjoying themselves – that, for us, makes it all worthwhile.”

With the village expanding with new houses, the gala team is continually looking for new team members to join them.

Anyone who may be interested should approach any gala team member or message the gala team on Facebook – Wallyford Children’s Gala.