Portaferry Gala Blog

A big thanks to those who came along to Fiddler’s Green for some Gala Fundraising ! Hope you enjoyed yourselves and we’ll see you at the next fundraiser.

Mary has led the Gala Team always there behind the scene,

Never the one to be standing out, She’d never moan and seldom shout

Mary knew what needed done and was always there for everyone

She never ever made a fuss and was an inspiration to the rest of us

She led the team for ten long years, she proved her worth she was so strong

The Gala she built up each year, a new show there, a new act here and with Mary leading we had nothing to fear

The Gala runs for seven days and has changed for the good in many ways.

Mary was always thinking ahead, next year could be better she often said, we’d answer ‘aye’ and shake our heads

Mary started Galaween and what an even this has been

She took it to Exploris park and turned the dark into a glow-park

She knew this was the perfect site and as usual she was right!

To see those kids was sheer delight as they

watched the fireworks light up the night

Christmas was next in her head and for this the plans she laid

The tree, the lights and Santa’s place, she’d work away at such a pace

She could have won the ten mile race.

Mary has now stepped down and given someone else the crown

The Gala will always be in your debt for you’ve been a leader we’ll never forget

We wish you all the very best as you now enjoy your well earned rest.

John Mageean,

Portaferry Gala Committee

Over Valentine’s Weekend a number of events are taking place in Portaferry to raise money for Unicef’s Haiti Appeal.

From Friday 12th to Sunday the 14th, there are various fund raising events taking place, so please show your support and come along.

For full details, click on the flyer below.

The Gala AGM took  place in McNamara’s at 7.30 on Wednesday the 3rd of February.
Thank you very much to those who came along – it’s  great to see such support continues for Portaferry Gala within the community.
We’d also like to thank our outgoing Chairman Mary Mageean for the endless hours she put in over the last 10 years.

As Portaferry shivers in the cold frost this Christmas Morning,
(-3c brrr) all the Gala Committee wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Hope you have a lovely day today and for all family and friends logging in from afar, hopefully we’ll see you again during Gala Week 2010 !

As a few flakes fall on the town – here are a few pics from the “Great Snow of 2008″.

Click on a picture for a full size view

Well, if nothing else at least the Gala Weather has been consistent this year. As darkness fell on the Square and the rain clouds gathered above  the River of Light making it’s way towards the Square, yes, of course, the Heavens opened.

Did it Dampen our Christmas Spirits ? Not at bit !!! The Gala Express chugged around the town all afternoon while Santa and his better half Mrs Claus, met the boys and girls and checked with Mums and Dads who’d been good and who’d been bad.

A big thank you to everyone from Portaferry and beyond,  who came along and filled the Square with music and light at 5pm on Saturday 5th. also to the crew from Castle Ward, who kindly lent  the Express to us -  without you it wouldn’t have happened. 

 
All the Gala Crew wish you a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. We hope you’ve enjoyed all the events over the last 12 months and as always, if you’ve any ideas or suggestions for 2010, do please feel free to get in touch.

Thanks to the Crew from Castle Ward, you can come on down and join in the fun.

It was great to see so many people making willow lanterns on Saturday 28th for this years “River of Light”. (Is it me or does it get easier each year ???)

Don’t forget to come along and pick your lantern up next Saturday, in good time for the walk up to the Square. Lights will be going on 5pm, we’ll aim to be in the Square for 4.45pm.

Little Ones – don’t forget the Polar Express will be chugging around the town all Saturday Afternoon, come along, take a trip and then visit Santa at his fireside in the Market House.