Welcome to Harden Children's Gala!

Recognise any of these guys? They have featured recently on several of Wendles56's blip as they have had a wash and brush up specially for this occasion.

You will probable recognise Wendles herself with daughter Jen running this fabulous Penguin Tombola this afternoon at our village Children's Gala. Hope you find all your lovely penguins new homes!

A wet morning with still some damp in the air as the parade started to descend through the village, but very warm and humid. The parade was led as usual by the New Orleans Jazz band setting a wonderful foot tapping pace. This was followed by an open back car carrying the Gala Queen with her two attendants. Then the only 'Float' by Harden Players on the them of Pantomime. This year it was just in the back of a member's truck as no other vehicle was available to use. I heard someone in the crowd say what a shame it was there wasn't more like there used to be. The Primary School and Pre school were all walking tableaux due to Health and Safety restrictions! Finally come the Individual Fancy Dress and decorated bikes and prams. Well done to all those families who make an effort each year. One of today's winners was a matchstick called Strike a Light!

The event is held in our local park and you can see some more of the activities in my extra today including the big Tea Tent. When our children n were little you could go with a fiver, let them go on everything, have an icecream and then get your tea in the tea tent without having to break into more money. The emphasis is on fun not profit.

Out of sight on the picture is a running track for races, including sack and caterpillar races.

For many years the event has been compared by one man, Jerry with a wonderful Irish lilt to his accent. Great at the patter and the jokes. He retired last year.
Today our nieghbour Peter, a member of the Players was doing it for the first time and an excellent job he was doing too. As I sit here, back to the marking after treating myself to a piece of Tiffin from the WI cake stall, I have the window open and can here him over the tannoy loud and clear.

Lots of village people help out on the stalls. Chris was doing his usual miniature train for his first stint at 2.00pm. He dressed up as the Fat Contoller one year only to find people, including kids, were too embarrassed to call him that as it's not PC! The world is a crazy place.

It is a wonderful family event and long may it continue Health and Safety and Political Correctness or no.