Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Gala’s future in doubt
‘This will be the last event for some time — if not ever’
The annual Charleston Gala Day has been running for 14 years but Stella Carrington, chairwoman of Charleston Tenants and Residents’ Association, says this year’s event could be the last.
She told the Tele: “This will be the last gala day for quite some time, if not ever.
“It is the biggest event of its kind in the area and is really well attended, so it’s a shame.
“We’ve been going for 14 years but I will be 80 this year and the paperwork — all the jumping through hoops, getting risk assessments, liability and public entertainment licences and such like — just seems never-ending.
“There are only one or two people doing all that kind of work and it gets very tiring. Unless we can entice some young blood into the committee, I’m afraid this will be the last gala.
“It is incredibly sad, as it is a great way of bringing the community together, regardless of nationality or age, and it is just a great day.
“People often say we should have two but I don’t think they realise just how much work has to go into it.
“I think we have done a good job across the 14 years we have been running the gala and the committee.
“You never know, we have our AGM coming up and if we can attract some residents to take on the mantle, we might be able to save it.
“I would like to issue a rallying cry to residents who don’t want to see it go and also would encourage as many people as possible to come along for what may be the last one.
“This year’s will be the last event that the Lord Provost will be opening, ahead of his retirement as well.”
The Charleston Gala Day will be held on Sunday August 14, from noon to 4pm.
THE FUTURE of one of Dundee’s best-attended gala days could be hanging in the balance, according to its organiser.