Eggs-cellent Easter hunt is a hoppy woodland event

Gracie Crawford had her face painted.

Hundreds of children enjoyed an Easter egg hunt in the surroundings of Blarbuie Woodland on Saturday March 30, writes Rita Campbell.

The fundraising event was organised by Ardrishaig Gala Day committee, where kids were able to hunt for special sticks and exchange them for chocolate eggs.

They were also treated to guest appearances by the Easter bunny (Jessica McMullan) and therapy ponies Fudge and Huggy from Hugs of Argyll.

There was also face painting, cakes and a competition to guess the name of a stuffed Easter bunny. Daniel Pagett correctly guessed her name was Millie, to the delight of his daughters Ava and Rubie.

Gala day organisers Paula Cameron and Jessica McMullan carried out a litter pick of the woods before the hunt took place.

Around 350 children arrived in the afternoon. A special quiet hunt was organised in the morning, when about 20 children with additional support needs, who are sensitive to noise, were able to enjoy a quiet search through the woods.

This proved very popular with children and parents, so much so that this will be repeated on gala day, when a similar quiet hour and a half will take place in the morning to give everyone the chance to go round the stalls.

A total of £500 was raised for gala day funds. Many more events will take place in the run-up to the gala, to make the day as much fun as possible for everyone.

Once the gala starts making a profit, the committee plans to support the pensioners’ Christmas lunch and other local causes.

There are plans to make Ardrishaig Gala Day on Saturday August 17 into a gala week this year, with various events throughout the week, including a few in Lochgilphead.

The next event will be a jumble sale in Ardrishaig South Church Hall on Saturday May 4. Also on the agenda is a scavenger hunt for the school holidays. A bonfire night dance with Oban band The Fold will take place in Ardrishaig Public Hall on Saturday November 9. And the gala committee has been asked to organise Ardrishaig’s Hogmanay celebrations this year.

The gala committee is looking for local haulage companies to sponsor floats during the parade. If you can help, please contact the gala day Facebook page.

All Photograph: Ardrishaig Gala Day Ava Pagett and Rubie Pagett with the Easter bunny, aka Jessica McMullan, at Blarbuie Woodland Easter egg hunt.

Katie Appleton collects her egg from the Easter bunny.

Ponies Fudge and Huggy at the Blarbuie Woodland event, with their young helpers.

Lesley Kean, the Easter bunny, aka Jessica McMullan, and Huggy and Fudge the ponies with Eva Blair.

Haileigh Campbell chases bubbles at the Ardrishaig Gala Day fundraiser.

Darra and Arran Crawford with the bunny.

Mason King with the Easter bunny, aka Jessica McMullan.