Plea to save Moffat Gala

MOFFAT and District Gala is in real danger of disappearing after more than seven decades unless new committee members come forward. The gala committee hosted an emergency meeting on Tuesday night in the hope of attracting new blood to help organise this year’s event. However the turnout was described as “very disappointing”. But the group are not ready to call it quits just yet and have scheduled a “do-or-die” final meeting at the Proudfoot Institute on Tuesday March 17 at 7 pm. Several of the gala committee members are stepping down. One of them is Idy Davidson who has 40-plus years experience. And she says she would “gutted and devastated” to see a staple in Moffat end on a sad note on the 75th anniversary of the Moffat Gala Queen. Pleading for new members to come forward, she said: “Myself and other committee members have put in a lot of time and effort over the years. But we really need new blood. “The diehards in Moffat don’t want to see the gala go but if people don’t come forward there’s a real chance that it’ll be an end of an era. [caption id="attachment_66921" align="alignnone" width="453"]

PLEA . . . Idy Davidson[/caption] “I’d be absolutely gutted and devastated if it comes to an end like this, especially at a landmark anniversary of the gala queen. “I love the gala and I’m very passionate about it but I’ve got to call time now. I said for the last five years that it would be my last because I can’t keep doing it. “Everybody in Moffat need to work together and come up with a solution. This meeting is really do-or-die for the future of the gala. We have to use it or we’ll lose it. “This is now time critical as things need to be booked, principals chosen and events planned. “We currently have a secretary and a treasurer plus some of last year’s committee members, but we desperately need new blood to allow the Gala to continue.” Idy has stressed she would be more than happy to stay on the committee with a reduced role, but would help newer committee members if required. Another option to keep going is to trim the gala proceedings. It is usually a week-long celebration with a number of events but just making it a day instead has been discussed. If you are unable to attend the meeting but are interested in joining the committee, email [email protected] or via their Facebook page