Cumbernauld gets set for a gala-xy of fun

Cumbernauld Community Forum Gala Day will take place on Saturday, July 3.

The event promises to be a fun-packed day for all the family and will be opened by North Lanarkshire Provost Tom Curley at 12 noon in the town centre's South Boulevard.

Gala Queen Rebecca Chambers and her princesses Julie Farish and Claire Keegans were joined by organisers and Cumbernauld News editor Jim Holland to launch the event last week in the Antonine Centre.

Already the inaugural event has amassed a host of support from Cumbernauld businesses, groups and individuals.

Last month we revealed that Scottish Water had made a whopping donation of 2000, but that was just for starters after the forum secured sponsorship from the Antonine Centre, NHS Lanarkshire and Cumbernauld Rotary Club.

Chairman Billy Lees said: ''The amount of help we have had is incredible."

Billy is confident the special day is going to be a smash hit.

He said "I think this is going to be the biggest thing to hit Cumbernauld for years.

"Because it is set in the town centre it is not tied to any one area.

Nor is it just for children, as we have plenty of activities for adults.

"It is a multi-cultural event too, as we have Indian dancers and drummers coming through from Glasgow and there will be Polish dancers as well.

"The theme of the event is healthy living and healthy eating, so that is of interest to everyone too.''

Other attractions will include bouncy castles, stalls, a cafe and an opening procession with fancy dress.

Since it was started, the community forum has become one of the hardest working in Cumbernauld, and boasts a number of sub-groups including an environmental branch and a club for diabetics.