Our first committee meeting of the New Year went very well, lots of ideas for fundraisers, everyone enthusiastic for the next Gala, next fundraiser coming up in March details to follow.......just to finalize some wee details :-) thanks to The Bruce for hosting our meeting.
Chairman - John Jamieson
Treasurer - Katie Hay
Secretary - Lynne Jamieson
Monday, 11 February 2013
Tuesday, 11 September 2012
Is That It?
It's depressing to see how little support the seemingly popular village Gala has. Not many come to our fundraisers, very few offer to help us set things up. And, now we we need a new team, it seems like nobody wants to do it. We warned everyone via the Village Link that the Gala was in danger of closing due to lack of support. We had a well publicised AGM but, again, had really poor support.
So why continue?
It's a good question. I've been on the Committee for 5 years and have really enjoyed it. I know that all the kids enjoy it. I know that most adults enjoy it. So why will it stop? Apathy? Lethargy, commitment worries?
I don't even know if anyone reads this any more. Still, the Gala has one more chance of survival. One more glimmer of hope. If you want a Gala, then come to the next meeting at the Gellet Hall on Nov 29th at 19:30. Put your name forward and join the Committee. Or else no more Gala day, Raft Race, Pet Show or Fancy Dress. And who will you have to blame? Think about it!
Gala 2012 AGM
As promised, we have the AGM date finalised!
Do come along if you've anything to contribute to the meeting. We're always looking for new members to join us to make it smoother for us all. Remember that the more of us there are, the less we each have to do! If you've got young kids, then think what you could do to give your kids (and other kids) a great gala time. In the old days, the gala was on one day, now it's on for around three weekends!
It'll be at The Gellet Hall on 6th November at 19:30.
Do come along if you've anything to contribute to the meeting. We're always looking for new members to join us to make it smoother for us all. Remember that the more of us there are, the less we each have to do! If you've got young kids, then think what you could do to give your kids (and other kids) a great gala time. In the old days, the gala was on one day, now it's on for around three weekends!
Monday, 27 August 2012
Limekilns / Charlestown Gala Debate
Since the flyer re: the Gala being permanently based in Charlestown went out, I've had lots of feedback from many people, angry and upset of this decision. I've tried explaining the reasons why, and have had understanding from some, and had backs turned against me by others. I've also had comments such as: the Gala is too samey, the Gala is too different from the old days, the Gala is too commercial. I think some people forget that there are only 7 of us on the Committee. We don't get much assistance or volunteers, we have falling attendances at our fundraising events. It's not easy as we're fighting against TV, internet and a general lack of enthusiasm. On top of all that, we're all volunteers!
One of the main principals of the Gala is that it should be free for kids. we still maintain that. All the bouncy things, zorbz, animal man and circus shows, Raft race face painting, pottery etc was free. Only buying food, drink or things from the craft tents cost money, and that was up to the individual. Here's my response to someone who asked why the Gala was to stay in Charlestown. I thought I'd publish it here so you could all see the full picture of what the Gala Committee is up against.
As Gala Chairman, I'll go through the main reasons of our idea of only having at Charlestown Green. By putting it here will give others some clarification of all the reasons why. Here goes: The nearest toilets for the public
One of the main principals of the Gala is that it should be free for kids. we still maintain that. All the bouncy things, zorbz, animal man and circus shows, Raft race face painting, pottery etc was free. Only buying food, drink or things from the craft tents cost money, and that was up to the individual. Here's my response to someone who asked why the Gala was to stay in Charlestown. I thought I'd publish it here so you could all see the full picture of what the Gala Committee is up against.
As Gala Chairman, I'll go through the main reasons of our idea of only having at Charlestown Green. By putting it here will give others some clarification of all the reasons why. Here goes: The nearest toilets for the public
are at The Ship Inn (Charlestown have their own, plus The Elgin Hotel - which offers it's toilets to the general public) There is limited parking for families at Limekilns. Access for vehicles is difficult being a 'one way in / out' over grass. Drainage is poor and the possibility of being stuck in the mud (the often used football pitch) is high after rain. The main advantage of Charlestown is that it has a road all the way around it, allowing access for all vehicles servicing the Gala with a queuing system. You are probably aware over the past few years the Gala has become a bigger event and it takes some traffic to make it happen.
The other batch of reasons is because of the Gala Committee logistics. Nearly all of the items needed for Gala Day are either locked in double garage in Charlestown or are in the Queens Hall. For Gala Day, we typically need 4 marquees, bar, bbq, all the prizes, medals, tug of war rope, steel pins and red tape as well as around 60 chairs, 22 6ft tables and 12 square tables from the QH. Apart from getting all that to the venue, we also have to get it all set up. What we have done in the past is set up the marquees on the Friday evening to make it easier on the Saturday morning. Limekilns normally have the football match on the Friday night - would it go down well if it was on a Thursday? It's still a rush to get it all done for 12:00, but we manage to get it all done in time. We usually use my, and the Gala Secretary's, vans for the carting of the bits and pieces.
So what's the problem, you may ask? Why not hire another van? The basic answer is because there are only 7 of us on the Committee, and we can't drive, collect and deliver, set up and organise everything. There are only two men on the Committee too, and some of the ladies aren't physically strong enough to do some of the jobs. If we had our teams stuck in a vans driving between Charlestown and Limekilns repeatedly, we'd run out of time. We ask for helpers on our facebook page and on our notice boards but only get a few people turning up. Normally it's the families of Committee members that join in. If we had more help, then we'd probably reconsider. The issue we have is that everyone wants a Gala, but very few offer to help. We've tried many different ways to raise money with fundraising events throughout the year, but it seems like not many people come to them. To get more revenue we have to think of other ways, and one example of this is the craft tents. We charge the exhibitors a fee to have a table, and this goes into next year's pot. The craft marquees also give something for the adults to peruse if they want. It does, however mean two marquees, tables and chairs that add to our list!
The other batch of reasons is because of the Gala Committee logistics. Nearly all of the items needed for Gala Day are either locked in double garage in Charlestown or are in the Queens Hall. For Gala Day, we typically need 4 marquees, bar, bbq, all the prizes, medals, tug of war rope, steel pins and red tape as well as around 60 chairs, 22 6ft tables and 12 square tables from the QH. Apart from getting all that to the venue, we also have to get it all set up. What we have done in the past is set up the marquees on the Friday evening to make it easier on the Saturday morning. Limekilns normally have the football match on the Friday night - would it go down well if it was on a Thursday? It's still a rush to get it all done for 12:00, but we manage to get it all done in time. We usually use my, and the Gala Secretary's, vans for the carting of the bits and pieces.
So what's the problem, you may ask? Why not hire another van? The basic answer is because there are only 7 of us on the Committee, and we can't drive, collect and deliver, set up and organise everything. There are only two men on the Committee too, and some of the ladies aren't physically strong enough to do some of the jobs. If we had our teams stuck in a vans driving between Charlestown and Limekilns repeatedly, we'd run out of time. We ask for helpers on our facebook page and on our notice boards but only get a few people turning up. Normally it's the families of Committee members that join in. If we had more help, then we'd probably reconsider. The issue we have is that everyone wants a Gala, but very few offer to help. We've tried many different ways to raise money with fundraising events throughout the year, but it seems like not many people come to them. To get more revenue we have to think of other ways, and one example of this is the craft tents. We charge the exhibitors a fee to have a table, and this goes into next year's pot. The craft marquees also give something for the adults to peruse if they want. It does, however mean two marquees, tables and chairs that add to our list!
If you'd like to come to our AGM and discuss these points, join us as a Committee member, or volunteer your services so we aren't continually running on empty, please watch out for the signs saying when it is. The Gala can only survive if those who do it are supported all year round. Not only on Gala Day.
Alex Hill
Gala Chairman.
Wednesday, 15 August 2012
Last thing for this years' Gala
The raft race is on Saturday at 15:00. We'll have a bar selling between 12-3pm and will have vegetable or beef chilli served with nachos, chillis, cheese and salsa sauce. The weather forecast is good (so far) and, fingers crossed, the sun will be shining! In the evening, the Ship Inn will have live bands and a BBQ (at 7pm). It would be great to see all the villagers out in force to support this event. We have over 10 rafts taking part, by my estimate, so do pop by and cheer them along!
Sunday, 12 August 2012
Gala Day all done!
The Charlestown, Limekilns & Pattiesmuir Gala was held on Saturday with the emphasis on fitness, bringing the Gala-lympics to Fife. The weather couldn't have been better, and over 400 people packed the green to enjoy the many events that were on show. Local fitness group, The Spartans Display Team, wowed the crowd with an amazing acrobatic show which had the crowds enthralled. The Assault course, races, Zorbs, inflatables, zumba & circus tent kept up the activity based theme, whilst the SWRVS Tea tent, animal show, food stalls, beer tent and huge craft marquees offered gentle tranquility to those after a relaxing time. Gala Chairman, Alex Hill, said ' It's down to the hard working Gala team, volunteers and the great variety of locally based entertainers that can give the audience a brilliant mix of fun, entertainment and value for money. The only problem is how to beat it next year!'
The Spartans Display Team
The Rural ladies manning the famous Tea Tent
The Stompers on a rare break!
The Limekilns Ladies in action in the Tug Of War. Limekilns won 2:1.
It's all about the kids! Here's a race in full swing.
Thursday, 26 July 2012
Nearly Ready!
We're putting all the finishing touches to the Gala now. The posters will be out soon, and we really hope that there will be something for everyone. We'd really like volunteers on the Friday 10th at around 6pm to help us set up the marquees at Charlestown Green, and also on the Sat at 09:00 and 16:00. The Gala Committee only has a few members and family too, so the more the quicker and better - please! If you have any questions or points, do call me on 872 306 or 07767 011 588 or email on lcpgala@live.co.uk. If you want to post anonymously as you want to be 'hidden', you can always do it here!
Oddly enough, we will have 4 events in Limekilns and 3 in Charlestown. How's that for sharing villages!
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