KYLE OF SUTHERLAND GALA WEEK 2012 IMPORTANT NOTICE

The 2011 Kyle of Sutherland Gala was a great success and extremely well supported throughout the numerous events arranged during the week.   The committee, therefore, were hopeful that additional new committee members would be encouraged to participate at the AGM held in November 2011.   Despite publicity and posters however, only 1 new member came forward and with the resignation of two long-term and highly valued members, the committee was left with only 6 members.   

A general committee meeting was held on 16th January 2012 following local publicity and posters asking for new members.  No new members came forward and the committee, therefore, had the difficult decision to make regarding the 2012 Gala.  After discussion it was agreed:

1. There are simply not enough members to enable the Gala to take place in 2012 in the usual format.  The current 6 committee members all work full time, 50% working shifts and therefore not able to commit to events in advance and all members have limited time they will be available to commit during Gala week.   It was decided that is better to cancel the Gala now rather than organise events and have to cancel at short notice.

2. All agreed that the committee would attempt to hold a very limited number of events this year, continue to advertise for new committee members and trust that new members come forward at the AGM in November 2012.  In the event this is not successful decision will then be taken regarding the overall future of the Gala Week charity and committee.

3. Events agreed for 2012 will be:

a) Easter Egg Hunt and Children’s Easter Bonnet competition
b) Dance in May
c) Family Bingo in summer holidays
d) Family Ceilidh in summer holidays
e) Santa Sleigh and children’s letters event in December

Dates for all these events will be notified as soon as confirmed along with local posters.  All organisations that usually host events in Gala week will be contacted and informed of the difficult decisions taken by the committee.  All will be advised that should they continue to host events in Gala Week they will undertake their own advertising as no Gala programme will be published.

The Gala Committee deeply regret having to take the decision to cancel Gala week this year and hope that members of the public will continue to support those events we are able to arrange.   It is sincerely hoped that the Gala 2013 will go ahead with a larger committee and all are asked to remember to check AGM notices in November and come along to join the team.