Gala
ROTARY GALAS COME TO AN END
GOOD news can come from bad, as Wakefield Rotarians have discovered. It has even led to a declaration of thanks from their MP.
Members decided at club assembly on 7th June 2007 that their brainchild, the city's annual May Bank Holiday gala, had run its course after 18 years because of mounting difficulties faced by its organising committee, led by ways and means chairman Richard Edge.
The news was picked up by the Wakefield Express who ran a story on their main inside news page, backed up by comment on the leader page. The paper explained how red tape and spiraling costs had spelt the end of the popular family event, held at Wakefield's Thornes Park.
Richard told its reporter that new health and safety rules, time-consuming paperwork and increased costs had resulted in increasing problems. Security staff had to be employed after vandalism two years ago and to stage a crowd-pulling arena attraction such as a motorcycle stunt team now cost about £2,400, he said.
Sympathy for the club's problems came from a range of sources, including MP Mary Creagh, who was quoted as saying: "I know how many local people enjoy the day, and it has raised thousands of pounds for good causes. Wakefield Rotarians deserve our thanks for the hard work they put in all year round."
Lindsey Crosland, from Wakefield's Friends of Rotary Group, added: "It's very sad but there's so much red tape involved now. It's a shame because a lot of families go and it's great for the kids."
Richard said later: "The big attraction this year was an all-day majorettes' competition in which eight troupes took part. They made a tremendous effort and it was hugely successful, but it's not something we can repeat."
Club president Dennis Edwards added: "The gala has always had enormous support from people and businesses right across the district. It's immensely hard work for all the Rotarians involved and planning for the next gala starts almost as we clear up after the previous event.
"The point has now been reached where we have to begin looking for something new. We felt it right to make an early announcement so that everyone knows the event won't take place in 2008. Subject to what the council may say, the date is available for any other organisation that might like to book the park for that day."
The event has since been taken over by Wakefield Hospice who will be running it for the first time in 2008. See
http://wakefieldhospice.org/SupportUs/events/eventspages/maydaygala.htm