Stonehouse Gala

Here we go again, full steam ahead for Gala Day 2010 on 5th June. We've had our AGM, and this years gala court has been chosen so we are well on the way to having a successful gala day once again. Look out for a new main attraction in the park this year, the circus comes to Stonehouse!

We had a very successful 2009 Gala day on 6th June, it was a bit windy and cold at times but it stayed dry so we can't complain. The children all had a fantastic day at the parade and in the park, and the next day we had a lovely celebration lunch in the Masonic Hall. Thanks to Anna Murdoch for her catering skills and Neale Kelly for piping the Gala Court around the hospital, Lintaugh gardens and Canderavon. Unfortunately Margaret Kelly who has served on the Gala Group for 8 years (the last 4 as Chairperson) has resigned from the Gala group. We presented her with a card and flowers as a token of appreciation from the village. Margaret will be a really tough act to follow as Chairperson, her organisational skills, patience and easy manner with the kids and their parents will be sorely missed.

The observant among you realised that the bunting in our village was not up for the usual 2 weeks. This was not under the control of the Gala Group and was at the discretion of the council's approved contractor. We have had many issues regarding bunting over the years, mainly the fact that we buy our bunting and pay for it's erection, whereas other Gala days do not seem to have to do this. We enlisted the help of our councillor Lynn Filshie to try and get some answers here but she has found it as difficult as we did to get results. We were left with no option but to submit a freedom of information request to the council to try and resolve our questions. All we ask for is parity with other gala days across South Lanarkshire. We are working to resolve this issue to a satisfactory conclusion for this years gala.

Gala Meetings

We meet monthly on the last Tuesday, and our venue for meeting this year is the Scout and Guide hall. Meetings start at 7.40pm and we try to be finished for 9-ish.

• Tuesday 30th March
• Tuesday 27th April
• Tuesday 25th May

Gala Bingo

Our successful bingo nights continue this year at our usual venue of the Masonic Hall, Green Street. Eyes down for a 7.30pm start on the following dates with your bingo hostesses Jessie Reid and Liz White.

• Tuesday 16th March
• Tuesday 20th April
• Tuesday 18th May

Casino Night

After the success of our race night last year, this time we are going to try a Casino night as our main fundraising event. This is taking place on Friday 7th May at Stonehouse Violet Social club. 7pm for 7.30pm start. We will be having 2 roulette tables and 1 blackjack table till approximately 10.30pm and then a disco to 1am. Tickets cost £20 and include $30 of fun casino chips, these are available now from gala committee members and court parents.

On the day

The committee are small in number and we have a lot to organise on the Gala day itself, so if you could lend a hand it would be much appreciated. We particularly need stewards for the parade. It's not too onerous, all you need to do is don a hi-vis yellow vest and walk alongside the parade. After the events in the park are finished it is our responsiblity to clear litter from the park. If we don't do this the council can fine us so some help here would be very handy. If you can help us please email the committee.

Committee Members

We are always on the lookout for new committee members. Our AGM is in January and new members are elected here but in the meantime if you want to get involved and help out please send us an email.