Fun for all the family at Bettyhill's sunshine gala
THE ridge of high pressure which drifted across the north last weekend arrived in the nick of time for Bettyhill Gala, bathing the festivities in sunshine.
The event has been running in its present form in early August for the last 15 years and during that time it has almost always enjoyed excellent weather, and this year was one of the best. There was virtually continuous sunshine until Sunday, the final afternoon, when things cooled down somewhat and the sky clouded over.
However, this just encouraged participants of all ages in the various sports events to run even faster than they usually do.
As so often in recent years, water has played a part in the closing races and it wasn’t cold enough to deter the 10 or so adults who undertook the 100 yards with buckets of water balanced on their heads from disposing of it over each other en route.
Nevertheless, a cloud did hang over the crowd at the parting of the ways as the Munro family of Newlands, Tricia, Eilidh and Lynsey, who have been stalwarts of the gala throughout, announced their intention to resign from the committee leaving only two office-bearers, Elizabeth Best, secretary, and Nancy Woods, treasurer, in charge of what remains a very popular event. Informing the crowd of this on Sunday, Eilidh appealed to all those who would wish the gala to continue to come forward and make it happen into the future.
An opportunity to do so will occur on Wednesday, August 14, when the gala committee has called a special public meeting in The Store Café at 7pm to discuss the crisis.
Meanwhile, villagers and visitors are congratulating the committee for providing the usual enjoyable mix, from the family quiz on Thursday evening through the baking, photography and flower competitions on Friday, the car treasure hunt on Friday evening and the fun day in Farr High School park on Saturday complete with fancy-dress parade.
These led up to the family dance on Saturday evening and, on Sunday, the sports afternoon.
