Plenty of attractions at this year's Wick Gala

[Nwicker60]

Packed programme should make it a gala week to remember

THE countdown, has begun for Wick’s annual festival, gala week which promises to be bigger and better than ever. It may be an over-used term but, I think it is justified in this case.
During the past few weeks, the rejuvenated organising committee has been deliberating over the programme and refining it and is now been able to unveil it. The attractions are a mix of old and new events guaranteed to prove popular.
All it needs now, is good weather, so cross those fingers. Theme for the shop windows competition is “A Summer Party”. Extra prizes and trophies are being introduced, this year in the garden and opening Saturday night competitions.
A couple of appeals...Big size, old welly boots are required for the It’s a Knock-out completion. Contact Patie at the swimming pool. A couple of old but still-working chest freezers are also needed. If you can help, please contact Raymond Szyfelbain on Wick 603232 or on his e-mail norsehaven@hotmail.com
Here is this year’s programme which will run from Friday, July 22 to Saturday June 30.

SATURDAY

10.30am: Coffee morning entertainment by Caithness Volunteers and mini-talent show, Assembly Rooms. Admission £2.50.
6pm: Gala walking entrants-judging at Riverside Rose Gardens.
7pm: Crowning of gala queen in Market Square, followed by procession of floats.
9.30pm: Presentation of prizes at Assembly Rooms. Master of Ceremonies, Eric Farquhar.

SUNDAY
3pm: Blessing of the fleet at Wick harbour by Rev. Nugent.
12-4pm: Car boot sale, Assembly Rooms car park; £5 per car.

MONDAY

10-12 noon: Wick Youth Club summer programme; entry £1.
10.30am Wick Heritage Museum guided talks, Bank Row, Wick; adults £4, children 50p.
11am-1pm: Riverside Nursing Home visit by queen and attendants.
2pm : Children’s dog show, boating shed, Riverside; entry £1.
2-4pm: Seaview Nursing Home, visit by queen and attendants.
6.30pm: Caithness Sea Coast tours from Wick harbour. Booking essential; fare, £11.
7pm: Gala open bowling pairs, Rosebank Playing Fields. Register by Saturday 16^th July, to be played Monday-Friday.
7pm: Children’s cycle races, Riverside. Entrants must be under 14 yrs. Enter on night.
7pm: Gymkhana, Riverside.
7.30pm: Coffee evening. Entertainment by local dances, majorettes, Highland dancers, ballet dancers etc, Assembly Rooms; admission £2.50.

TUESDAY
10-12noon: Wick Youth Club summer programme; entry £1.
11am-12 noon: Laurandy Centre fun day.
1pm-2pm: Wick swimming pool; under 16 yrs, free.
3pm-4pm: Come and play tennis, Rosebank, Wick; P5-S2, £1.
2pm: Baby show, Assembly Rooms; admission £1, under 5s free.
2.15pm-4.15pm: Fun inflatable, Wick pool 6-16yrs; £2.05. Children must able to swim in deep water.
7pm: Children’s fancy dress, Braehead.
7.30pm: Children’s fancy dress disco, Assembly Rooms. Kids in fancy dress free, others £1.
8pm: Div ye mind, Wick St Fergus Church Hall. Slide show by Harry Gray.; admission inc tea, £3.
8pm: Darts, Francis Street, Club, Wick.
7pm-9pm: Wick Hanging Baskets, Ready, Steady, Cook evening, Norseman Hotel, Wick. Admission £5, inc glass of wine.

WEDNESDAY
10-12 noon: Wick Youth Club summer programme, £1.
10.30-4pm: Caithness Quilters & WRI exhibition in Assembly Rooms. Admission £3 inc tea and homebakes.
2pm: Children walking treasure hunt, Boating Shed, admission £1. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
2.30pm-3pm: Splash-dance/deep-water aerobics, Wick pool, 8-16yrs; admission, £2.05.
6. 30pm: Caithness Seacoast tours from Wick harbour, booking essential; fee, £11.
6.30pm: Car treasure hunt, Assembly Rooms; £5 per car.
8pm: Bottletop bingo, money prizes, Assembly Rooms.
8pm: Pipe band summer show in Pipe Band Hall.

THURSDAY
10-12noon: Wick Youth Club summer programme; £1.
10.30am: Wick Heritage Museum, guided talks, Bank Row, Wick; £4, children 50p.
3pm-4pm: Come-and-play tennis, Rosebank; P5-S2, £1.
2.30pm: Caithness Chest & Heart Support Group walk and guided tour around Wick, by Harry Gray. Meeting at The Shore car park. Tea after at Boating Shed, donations welcome.
7pm: The Camps Factor in Camps Bar. Entry fee £5. First prize, £100.
7pm: Wick Players play in Assembly Rooms; admission £5.
9pm: Gala golf competition, prizegiving. Gala Queen in attendance.

FRIDAY
10-12 noon: Wick Youth Club summer programme; £1.
8pm: Wick Gala’s band bash to Jude, Chicken Pickers, Company of Liars, Assembly Rooms. Over 18s only, licensed bar. This is strictly a ticket event only with a 250 seat capacity. Tickets £7, available from Blythswood, Wick.

SATURDAY
10am-4pm: Pulteneytown Peoples’ Project Art Showcase at Wick Youth Club. Entry fee, a donation.
1pm-5pm: Fun for all the family at Riverside, Wick.
1pm-5pm: It’s a Knockout competition, Riverside; £5 per team. Entry forms from Wick Swimming Pool. Under 11s, Under 15s and adult teams.
7pm: Pipe Band parade, Market Square.
8pm: Barbeque and music, Riverside.
10pm: Fireworks display by Fireworks Scotland. Enjoy a tasty kipper!