Family fun at Gilbertson Park gala

The dreich weather on Saturday did not deter crowds from going to the Lerwick Gala in Gilbertson Park, hosted by Lerwick Scouts.

There was fun for all the family with a variety of stalls and entertainments. Live music, starting with the Lerwick Royal British Legion Pipe Band, and the aroma of the barbecue and candy floss added to the atmosphere.

Scouts of all ages played an active part in the proceedings, and giant figures in Frozen costumes did a sterling job collecting money from the public.Characters from Frozen were also a popular choice for face-painting, along with Minions as well as the favourites of butterflies and tigers.

Stalls ranged from the traditional coconut shy and hoopla to “Splat the Rat”, run by Lerwick Beavers, in which a rat had to be hit as it exited a drainpipe. Seven-year-old Roman Marriner won a Spider Man kite for succeeding, and said: “It was hard but good fun.”

Other stalls invited the public to guess a birthday, or the weight of a beautiful green-iced cake topped with an icing tent and a scout.

The “Play Your Cards Right” stall, based on the TV series, was popular and volunteer Kate Ali said: “It’s been really well attended and I’m totally enjoying it. I’m in my element and I’d do it again for the scouts.”

The ping pong jars stall also saw a lot of activity, with people realising it was not as easy as it looked to get in a ball into a jam jar containing a prize. Sweets were given out as compensation, however.

Action continued on the grass with an assault course, comprising tyres to be walked through, a net to scramble under and cones to run round.

The Sumo Ring attracted numerous small boys who donned fat suits depicting either Superman or Batman and wrestled.

Eight-year-old John Magnus Falconer said: “It was fun but hard. A guy knocked me over two times and I knocked him over two times. ” They were well-padded, however.

The music progressed to singing from High Level Music to a session by Lerwick Brass Band, followed by a change of pace with dancing by Inferno.

Accordion music from James and Finlay was followed by a visit from the Junior Jarl’s Squad, and later by Sheila Henderson.

A bouncy castle in the games hall meant lots of indoor fun, and teas and homebakes were also served there.

Gala co-ordinator and Beavers leader Cathy Mann deemed the afternoon a big success, and said she was pleased so many people had come out to support it. She added: “All the kids got involved and had so much fun.”