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Gala fun in the sun in Tintwistle

Around 1,500 people enjoyed some fun in the sun as the Children's Gala Day in Tintwistle made a triumphant return. 

The village's biggest annual event couldn't go ahead last year due to the pandemic, and even this year's plans had to be adapted late on after the delay in easing of coronavirus restrictions, with the walking parade having to be cancelled. 

But thanks to the hard work of organisers Tintwistle Athletic, as well as so many other people and volunteers, the West Drive football fields were a hive of activity and full of smiles last Saturday afternoon (26 June).

Among those in attendance was High Peak MP Robert Largan, as well as Tintwistle borough councillor Rob Baker and the borough's Mayor Councillor Paul Hardy - who both judged the fancy dress competition, with prizes given out in a number of age categories. 

There was also a dog competition as well as a personalised Tote bag competition. There were 18 winners from Tintwistle Primary School who each entered a drawing which have been printed onto a Tote bag, with the theme being what they were looking forward to as we come out of lockdown. 

The creative drawings range from seeing grandparents to going on holiday again. The Tote gala bags can be bought for £3 each or two for £5 at Tintwistle Village Store on New Road, while organisers say they are extremely grateful to The Co-op for their donation towards the cost of the bags.

Meanwhile, there were children's races on the back field, 'meet and greet' characters walking around, animals to stroke from Haywill Animal Rescue, a prize draw, fairground rides and a bouncy castle. 

Tintwistle Smokehouse & Grill provided a delicious BBQ and Arnfield Brass Band also performed, while there was also a very popular bar and beer garden table service. 

Jill Crossland, on behalf of the Children's Gala committee, said: "The committee were overwhelmed with the support on the day. There was a fantastic community spirit and lots to do! The fancy dress competition, the dog competition and the children’s races were all extremely well supported." 

The fantastic amount of money raised will help to ensure that the gala will return in 2022. 

Jill added: "We still have all the money to come in from the tote bags, but without that we have made a profit (after costs) of around £1575 which is enough to put the gala on next year and should allow a few small donations to be made too!" 

The gala committee have said a huge thank you to everyone who helped to organise the event and ensured it ran smoothly, all those who attended including VIP guests, local businesses who supported the event and their neighbours in Tintwistle who had to put up with lots of traffic and double parking. 

The event has received lots of positive feedback from people who attended on social media. You can read more and see more photos on the gala's Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/71765201360

Tintwistle Children's Gala has been taking place annually since 1919. The gala committee all retired in 2019 - the year that the event celebrated its centenary - and a lack of new volunteers meant the future of the gala had been in doubt. But Tintwistle Athletic Football Club stepped in to ensure it could continue. 

Images by Nigel Wood

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