New group gears up for next year’s gala

A FORT William gala day is set to be bigger and better next summer as plans are already under way for the July event in Caol.

Caol community council will form and support a new sub- committee, specifically for the gala.

The move comes in the lead-up to community council re- elections in November and will safeguard the forward planning of next year’s event.

Caol community council chairman John Gillespie said: ‘The community council could provide the initial £2,500 annually and then it would be up to the committee to host fundraising events to accumulate the rest of the cash.’

The proposal was agreed at the community council’s meeting last week to ensure the gala, which was revived this year after a ten-year absence, can still go ahead if current members are replaced in the elections.

John also encouraged more people to join the community council and sub- committee.

He said: ‘We would not turn anyone down. The more members the better for us and the community. People would only have to dedicate a few hours each week to make a difference.’

Dot Ferguson, Lochaber ward manager for Highland council, also praised the hard work of the group at the meeting. She said: ‘This community council has brought a fresh dynamic to community councils in Lochaber.’