Manton Gala Disney Fun Day Pulls the Crowds

Manton Gala Disney Fun Day Pulls the Crowds Manton’s eighth summer gala brought lots of Disneyland fun to the area on Saturday 17 July. The continuing spell of unsettled weather was the only downside to a brilliant family fun day, starting with the procession from Edinburgh Road at 11am. The gala theme of Disney characters saw local children and adults dressed in colourful fancy dress costumes as pirates, fairies, knights and oriental princesses etc, as the parade passed down Shrewsbury Road, along Retford Road and down Bracebridge, onto the gala site in time for the official opening of the event by Gala Queen, Madison Cooper, and Gala King, Cameron Taylor, at 12 noon.

Merlin’s Scooter Club took part in the parade again and staged a rally on the gala site where winners in the scooter competition were declared.

B&Q donated one of their huge lorries to be used as the lead float, and this was joined by Wilkinson’s mobile stage to provide a perfect setting for the ceremonies, the bands and live music throughout the day, giving free entertainment to all.

The Bracebridge field, off Priorswell Road was packed with a multi coloured collection of stalls and tents, marquees, sporting activities, a fairground, Manton Children’s Centre, Help For Heroes, tombolas and entertainments provided by DB Entertainments as well as Sumo wrestling, rodeo bull, simulated surfboard, and lots of activities and displays from community groups and agencies.

Despite the showery weather, crowds attended the gala during the course of the afternoon. An increasing number of partners, service providers and agencies are supporting the gala, and many organisations, local businesses and stall holders provided the crowds with a wide choice of sporting activities, gifts, bargain buys, prizes, food and refreshments.

The gala committee would like to extend special thanks to Notts Community Foundation, NHS Bassetlaw, the Bands performing on the day, including Conspiracy, who allowed use of their equipment and PA system, local councillors, B&Q, Wilkinson’s, Bassetlaw District Council, A1 Housing, Nottinghamshire Police, Manton Community Alliance, Manton Children’s Centre, our many volunteers, and everyone else who contributed time, services, or gifts to help make the day such a huge success. Nicola Perkins, one of the gala organisers said, ‘I’m really pleased that everything went so well, its great to see a brilliant crowd of people having such a good time’. Sarah Bowskill, another gala organiser added, ‘It’s so important to get people together - it makes all the hard work worthwhile to see everyone working together and having a great time.’

Hundreds of people attended the gala throughout the afternoon, enjoying the wide range of free activities and entertainment on offer. The size and popularity of the gala now means that more volunteers are needed to help plan the gala for next year. If you are interested, please get in touch with us on 01909 535193 to register your interest or for more details.

Photos from the gala can be viewed on the MCA website, or on the screen in the office window. Any photo can be purchased as an A4 print for 50 pence each. All proceeds will be used to support next year’s gala.