It’s been a busy week of fun in Hopeman – and things are still far from finished.
Jack Reid as a Lighthouse. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
The villagers, along with visitors and tourists, have been busy celebrating the 50th anniversary of their famous gala.
Amongst the many popular events so far this week have been a fancy dress competition, a disco, five-a-side football competitions, a soup and sweet, a pram race, a beach barbecue, a cartie race, a drumming workshop, quizzes and a pet show.
Practically every venue in the village and everyone have been involved.
Blae Gillies with her Shetland pony Ziggy. Picture: Tyler McNeill
Jennifer Middlecoate, the gala’s convenor, said: “It’s been a fantastic week. It’s so wonderful to witness so many happy faces.
“When you see everyone – kids and grandparents – up and about and having fun, it’s special.
“Thank you to everyone for helping in whatever way you have and thank you to everyone who has come along.
“The gala is what our community is all about.”
'The Tequila Slammers'. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Every other gala is a single-day event, so why does Hopeman’s gala run for the whole week?
The reasons are said to date back even further than 50 years, to when a couple came up from Glasgow for a seaside holiday.
This pair had such a good time that, the year afterwards, they returned, bringing their entire extended family with them for the week.
So numerous were they that it took a hired minibus plus two cars and a scooter to cover what, at that time, was an eight-hour journey from Glasgow to Hopeman .
With money tight, on arrival these holidaymakers had to make their own entertainment.
Seeing they were having fun, the locals then decided to join in and a tradition was born, which led to the first official Hopeman Gala in 1974.
Events still to take place in Hopeman this week include this evening’s car treasure hunt and a disco in the marquee.
Tomorrow afternoon will see a fete in Cameron Park as well as a craft and flower show in the marquee, followed by the gala’s finale that evening.
FANCY DRESS PHOTOS:
From left; Kayla Cormack, Naomi Erker and Katie Hobson. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.Looking colourful - Alba Baldino. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.Robbie Taylor as the Houpmin Golf Caddy. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.Aidan McCulloch dressed as Luigi. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.‘Hopeman in Bloom’. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.Orlagh McKenzie came dressed as a duck - pictured with mum Beth. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.Jamie Hay as a Wonka Bar. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.A rare unicorn sighted in Hopeman. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.Lewis Baldino celebrated the gala's 50th year as a spaceship. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.Jamie Coleman as Mr Bean. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.Hopeman's own Andy Murray. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.A procession of Gala Queens from the past 50 years. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.Isla Cooper (left) and Lauren Burton as a Gala Party 1974 and Tuckshop. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.The Gala Queen and Princesses arrive into the arena. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.The Hopeman Ark. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.The Hopeman Ark. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.The Tartan Army with the Houpmin Arms. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.Dressed as the Gala Queen. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.This group of friends came dressed as the Hopemin Gala. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.Hopeman Gala Gala Queen Crowning and Fancy Dress. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
CARTIE RACE PHOTOS:
Aolfe Irwin who came first overall in her cartie, Animal. Picture: Beth TaylorJustine East, Abbie Burton and Lauren Burton with their cartie, Disco Inferno 1974. Picture: Tyler McNeillAdam, Phoebe and Mia with in their cartie, Mermaid Unicorn. Picture: Tyler McNeillAmelia Adamson in her cartie, The Addams Family, with Kayla Paris. Picture: Beth Taylor
PET SHOW PHOTOS:
Judge Louise Kellas and Lauren with Ruby who came first in the large dog category. Picture: Tyler McNeillFraser with his corn snake Apallo who came first in the unusual pet category. Picture: Tyler McNeill
PRAM RACE PHOTOS:
Team Rock-a-bye Baby make their way to the golf course. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.The Holy Rollers head along the coast to the Gala Marquee. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.Action as the teams make their way down Harbour Street. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.Dinosaurs on the run on the streets of Hopeman. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.'The Tequila Slammers' taking part in the Hopeman Gala pram race. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
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