BY ANDREW THOMAS

 

Fine weather contributed to the success of the 23rd Sedbergh Gala, which was held on the Playing Field in May 1986.

The parade from Maryfell was led by Sgt R. Porter, who was followed in an open car by Gala Queen Paula Surridge and her attendants Caroline Blunt and Lisa Powell.

Next came to Lunesdale Pipe Band leading the procession of many children in fancy dress and then the decorated vehicles, whose theme that year was 'Film Titles'.

After the Gala Queen had opened the event and the judging of the decorated vehicles and fancy dress competition had taken place, the afternoon's entertainment continued with activities and events including the fell race, which was televised by Yorkshire Television for a documentary film on fell running.

Rail almost put the dampers on the Sedbergh Gala for more than 1,000 people in 1987.

But all was saved - in the words of the annual gala vice-chairman Michael Dawson - by the wind, which blew away the worst of the clouds and cleared the skies enough for events to go ahead on an enjoyable afternoon.

Although the grass was wet for the six-a-side footballers, and those brave enough to trek up and down the slippery slopes of Winder Fell, which Steve Carr duly did in a time of 16 minutes nine seconds to win the senior fell race, gala-goers got the opportunity to explode targets, hunt for treasure and even to break a piano in a smashing competition.

The gala kicked off with a procession featuring Gala Queen Julie Campbell with attendants Rebecca Lord and Tracey Barnes, along with an assortment of decorated floats with themes ranging from the Pied Piper to Alice in Wonderland and Henry V111 and his wives to the mafia.

Border Television's John Myers judged the fancy dress costumes.

Mr Dawson said of the day as a whole: "We were very pleased that the weather changed in our favour."

The Westmorland Gazette was also on hand to take photographs at the sunny Sedbergh Gala in 1993.