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‘We just want the town to enjoy it’: Wick set for extra day of gala activities





Wick’s 2025 gala queen Ashlynn Ross (centre) with her attendants Katie Innes (left) and Jasmine Dunnet. Picture: Eswyl Fell
Wick’s 2025 gala queen Ashlynn Ross (centre) with her attendants Katie Innes (left) and Jasmine Dunnet. Picture: Eswyl Fell

Wick’s annual gala week programme is so packed this year that it will extend into an extra full day of activities.

The gala queen crowning ceremony takes place this Saturday evening at the riverside, followed by the procession of decorated floats through the town.

The riverside bonfire and fireworks display the following Saturday night traditionally marks the culmination of the gala. However, there’s a busy day of events on Sunday, August 3, including the gala fun run/walk, children’s cycle races and colour run.

Gala chairperson Donna Plowman explained: “We’ve got one or two new events this year so it’s a case of trying to make room for everything.

“We’ve got a roller disco on the Saturday [August 2] and we’ve never had that before. We’ve got a company coming up with their roller skates.

“And on the Friday [August 1] we’ve got our indoor open-air cinema.”

This will involve a series of family-friendly movies at the Assembly Rooms from 10am until late afternoon. Filmgoers can use the chairs in the venue or make themselves comfortable in other ways.

“You can take a pillow, you can take a picnic blanket if you want,” Mrs Plowman said.

Later, at 8pm, there will be a Mamma Mia singalong with a licensed cocktail bar.

Established favourites during the week include the blessing of the fleet, summer show, Gala’s Got Talent, family quiz, children’s fancy-dress parade, scarecrow competition, garden competition, baby show, senior citizens’ afternoon tea, whist, bingo, car treasure hunt, Isabella Fortuna pirate theme day and riverside family fun day.

Also planned are a Wick Gala Week Generation Game, a kids’ mini-Highland Games event and the Elise Lyall School of Dance coffee afternoon.

“We’ve still got our Sweet and Savoury,” Mrs Plowman pointed out. “It’s had a little revamp with a salad bar and ice-cream bar.”

Colourful revellers on the Wick Gala Week procession in 2024. Picture: DGS
Colourful revellers on the Wick Gala Week procession in 2024. Picture: DGS

Events get under way on Saturday morning with a pancake and muffin breakfast in the Assembly Rooms.

Guest speaker at the crowning ceremony, starting at 7pm, will be Chris Aitken. This year’s gala queen is Ashlynn Ross, and her attendants are Jasmine Dunnet and Katie Innes.

“Some of this has been in the planning since the last gala. It all takes such a lot of organising,” Mrs Plowman said.

“We couldn’t do it without the committee that we have. But we’re always looking for volunteers, even if it’s just two hours on the Sunday counting the pennies, because that’s a whole-day event in itself.”

Gala proceeds go towards ongoing costs, while donations are also made to other local groups.

Mrs Plowman praised the community spirit in Wick.

“I hate to think what the town would be like without all the volunteers that do so much, between the paths group and the cemeteries group and the flowers... They put so much hard work into it too,” she said.

Donations totalling £6000 were handed over to 12 groups from funds raised during Wick Gala Week 2024.

“We have to keep some back so that you’ve got money for the next gala,” Mrs Plowman added. “We’ve just spent money on new benches that we can take out during gala so that families can sit on them and enjoy the events.

“Some of the events down at the riverside, you’re talking about a few hours. They can take their picnic and have it on the benches.”

Mrs Plowman urged the public to turn out in force, as in previous years, to support the gala.

“We put this on – we just want the town to enjoy it. It doesn’t matter what the weather is, they always turn out,” she said.

“The rain that we’ve had some years, the midges that come at the back of it... We are really lucky that everybody does support it.”

Mrs Plowman and her team would be delighted with a return of the recent warm, sunny weather in time for gala week.

“It would be lovely,” she said. “But I never hold my breath!”

More information can be found on the Wick Gala Facebook page.

Copies of the Wick Gala Week programme, with details and timings of all events, are on sale locally, priced £2.


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