PICTURES: ‘Fantastic’ turnout for Wick Gala Week fancy-dress competition
A keen young apprentice butcher proved to be a cut above the rest at the Wick Gala Week children’s fancy-dress parade.
Mia Miller, who will be two in August, received the new supreme award at the ever-popular annual competition at the Braehead on Tuesday.
She was kitted out as Harrold Brothers’ Young Apprentice, complete with a set of butcher shop props and a sign saying “just like my grandad”.
As always there was an eye-catching collection of imaginative costumes, many of them with a topical slant – from an Olympic torch to a pair dressed as Wick’s round-Britain rowers.
The judges again had a difficult task choosing the winners in the different age categories.
Members of Wick RBLS Pipe Band played at the start, while gala queen Anna Durrand and her attendants were there to hand over all the prizes.
Event organiser Anderina Cass, from the Wick Gala Committee, was delighted with the big turnout of family members and other onlookers on a mild, bright evening.
“It’s certainly one of the best crowds that we think we’ve had,” Mrs Cass said. “The turnout is fantastic, old and young.
“There’s a lot of young ones that are maybe not even taking part but they’re still here. It’s lovely to see everybody turning up and supporting it.
“Our comperes and judges do a fantastic job – I wouldn’t want that.”
Mrs Cass recalled that some years ago there had been a suggestion that the Braehead fancy-dress tradition was “dying off” and could possibly be cut from the gala programme.
She said: “I remember taking part in the Braehead when I was young and it’s something that I think should carry on for the younger ones.
“It’ll be here for a lot of years. As long as I’m here, it’ll be here!”
Flowers were laid at the nearby Seafarers Memorial before the event.
Wick Gala Week children’s fancy-dress results:
Under-three girls: 1 Mia Miller, Harrold Brothers’ Young Apprentice; 2 Taylor Manson, Flintstone; 3 Hallie Budge, Stickman. Under-three boys: Finn Shearer, Finn’s Weightlifting Club.
Under-five girls: 1 Aria Dewhurst, Aeronaut; 2 Phoebe Grant, Jelly Beans; 3 Eleni Sinclair, Princess Unicorn.
Under-five boys: 1 Ryan Budge, Fisherman; 2 Archie Bain, Postie; 3 Luca Campbell, Builder.
Age five and six girls: 1 Isabella Henderson, Four Seasons; 2 Kirsty Ross, Orca; 3eq Neyla Campbell, Milkshake, and Eilidh McTaggart, Daffodil.
Age five and six boys: 1 Owen Miller, Jack in a Box; 2 Myles Ross, Pac-Man Ghost.
Age seven to nine girls: Anya Donaldson, Footballer. Age seven to nine boys: 1 Devon Manson, Vending Machine; 2 Mason Miller, Quad Bike Driver.
Age 10-12, mixed: 1 Nola Ross, Hubba Bubba; 2 Ella Miller, Olympic Torch.
Pairs, age six and under: 1 Kara and Tommy Harrold, Stormy and Steth; 2 Toby and Alfie Ronaldson, Trains; 3eq Celly and Auna Ross, Flowerpots, and Olivia and Emily Florence, Hippies.
Pairs, age seven and over: 1 Emelie Stewart and Reese Sutherland, Highland Council; 2 Connor Wilson and Ella Kean, Inside Out.
Groups: 1 Oliver, Ella, Eva, Mia, Harry, Davie and Ruairi (Missing Bunting); 2 Cara, Alice and Liam Sinclair, Wick Chicks; 2 Ayla, Owen and Aiva, Scobby Doo.
Overall supreme (new trophy): Mia Miller.
