Cowling villagers came to the rescue of their annual gala by putting their names forward to help organise the year 2000 event.

Crunch time came last Thursday when several members of the existing gala committee had to resign due to various other commitments, leaving only a handful left. Nineteen people turned up for the annual meeting, including members of the current committee.

All those who attended put their names down for membership of the committee and secured the future of the gala for at least the next 12 months.

Gala committee chairman Richard Benson thanked all those who had helped out at the 1999 gala, and commented on the excellent day, the improvements to the layout of the field and the larger marquee.

Although the day did go smoothly, there was a great shortage of helpers, making it hard work for all the committee, and leaving everyone with a great many jobs to do. Treasurer Yvonne Medley reported an increase in takings over the year and on the day of over £1,000.

Kath Benson, of Ling Crag Gardens, Cowling has accepted the job of secretary for the coming 12 months, taking over from Judith Silberberg.

Diane Sullivan has taken on the mantle of treasurer, and the vice-chairman's post has been filled by Morris Rishworth. A free prize draw will be published in the December issue of the Cowling Newsletter for ideas for the theme of gala day 2000.

The next gala for Cowling will be on Saturday July 29 2000, and the committee will next meet on Thursday November 11 at 7.30pm in the village hall.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.