Culter Gala

 BY the time you read this, the Gala Committee would have had their first meeting to begin planning for this year's events. Gala Day will take place on Saturday 27th May and although we hope the weather will be a lot kinder to us than last year, we do intend to have a contingency plan formed in case of inclement weather. Despite the events of last year we still managed to distribute a share of £2,950 to 15 local groups which was a fantastic result.

We have decided to keep with last year's theme "The Circus". This was chosen by Culter School's Pupil Council; we think it is a great idea and gives everyone a wide scope to decorate stalls, dress up, etc and the chance to utilise what couldn't be used last year.

We intend to have another fun-packed week with our Gala events. Details of these will be included in the next Courier (May) and displayed on posters around the village, but we hope to include:

• Gymkhana • Race Night • Quiz Night

• Car Treasure Hunt • Kids Treasure Hunt • Football

• Duck Race

• Art/Craft Exhibition (Interested exhibitors please call to note interest)

We will be looking at the possibility of a new event - or maybe resurrect an old favourite, if possible. Does anyone have any ideas? Please feel free to pass them onto a committee member.

Our aim is to attract almost all of the local groups around Culter and a range of local businesses to get involved on Gala Day. It would be good to see a large procession of floats accompanying the Pipe Band and the vintage vehicles along the route too.

The Culter Gala has altered over the years but we can still boast a Gala week, concluding with Gala Day that brings out the majority of the village for a fun afternoon, as well as raising funds for the community - not many villages around the area can say the same.

Last year's cancellation of the event proved just how important the Gala is to Culter, so please support it any way you can.

As usual, help in any form would be welcomed but we are appealing especially for the following:

• Loan of suitable vehicles/drivers for the community floats

• Help with transporting chairs/tables to the field - do you have a trailer and can spare an hour or two on Gala Day?

• Putting up and taking down the bunting around shops and houses on North Deeside Road.

Please contact either me or anyone on the committee if you could lend a hand with any of the above.

For your information, the 2006 committee members are: Steve & Karen Davidsou, Nicola Hector, Claire Strachau, Callum Stuart, Eleanor Kennedy, Ann Wakefield, Alan Pennie, Ann Reid, Peter Fraser, Bert Stewart.

Jan Murphy, Gala Co-Coordinator (Tel: 732508 or janmurphy @tiscali.co.uk)