Countdown on to Cumbernauld Gala Day

The News can reveal that this highly popular town-centre based event will take place on Saturday, July 14 - and preparations to make the gala an even bigger success are now in place.

Hard-working volunteers from Cumbernauld Community Forum are now inviting outside groups and organisations to apply for stalls - and are also on the hunt for volunteers to help with the event itself.

Last year, the group staged the second revamped town-wide event which had fallen by the wayside in recent years. It makes use of key hubs like New Town Hall to operate both inside and out, whatever the weather.

As is always the case the event will be presided over by its very own Gala Queen - like last year’s monarch Sophie Hinshelwood from St Maurice’s High School - pictured with her two princesses The News will soon be providing an update on this year’s royal party.

Last year’s event started with a spectacular giant procession through Central Way, accompanied by a pipe band before the fun kicked off in Tryst Road - and is hoped that this can be repeated.

The gala also raised a spectacular sum for Haiti after locals showed their trademark generosity and dug deep to help locally-based relief workers.

Members are also inviting interested parties along to their next meeting which will take place at Cumbernauld College on Tuesday, May 8 at 7pm.