Clowning around at gala

12:07pm Thursday 17th July 2008

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"A miracle" is how East Morton Gala chairman Kathy Myers described Sunday's sunny weather.

Organisers of the long-running event feared torrential rain for the second year running.

Instead, they suffered sunburn as fine weather attracted crowds to the possession and gala field.

Ms Myers said: "It was marvellous. People stayed on the field for the afternoon.

"We were rained off last year and made a huge loss. We couldn't afford another damp year."

She was pleased that several local businesses sponsored individual attractions.

Much of the proceeds will be spent on a Christmas party for the children of East Morton.

Ms Myers thanked the sponsors, people who attended and particularly volunteers who helped the seven-strong committee on the day.

The circus-themed gala began with a procession through the village led by a papier mache elephant and a young ringmaster.

Many children from Crossflatts and East Morton primary schools also dressed as circus performers.

Arena entertainment was provided by Silsden All-Stars Majorettes, children's entertainer Uncle Mick and Urban Circus.

There was a variety of stalls and games - traditional and modern - plus competitions, sports and rides on Blackpool donkeys.

This year's gala queen was 13-year-old Lydia Ellis-Feather, with her attendants Charlotte Hemingway, Emily Davis, Jasmine Orrell and Isobel Chattoe. The retiring queen was Rebecca Winters.

Results: Fancy dress, best group or tableau, Colin Tetley's Crazy Clowns Car float; under-eight, 1 Milly Town, 2 Grace Dickinson, 3 Christopher Morgan; eight-plus, 1 Morgan Collett (ringmaster and elephant), 2 Fiona Bailey (clown), 3 Kirsty Hutchinson (adult clown). Bonniest baby, Up to 12 Months,1 Clara Noble, 2 Tyler Atkinson, 3 Lewis Metcalf; up to two years, 1 Libby Fowler, 2 Harry Nelson, 3 Max Atkinson. Best village pet, 1 Morris the tortoise, 2 bearded dragon, 3 Dolly the pug dog. Cake, adult, 1 Sally Maughn (c), 2 Val Muff, 3 Laura Myers, junior 1 Morgan Collett, 2 Natasha and Mollie Foster, 3 Thomas Orrell.

Sports: Fell race 1 Paul Crabtree, 2 Joseph Peate, 3 Paul Butler. Flat race, under-5s, boys, 1 Jack Carr, 2 Jo worsly, 3 Billy Peaker; girls, 1 Sophie Crowder, 2 Olivia Garrot, 3 Harriette Sharpe; 5/6 boys, 1 Rocko Golouker, 2 Sam Berry, 3 Oliver Churchill; girls, 1 Frankie Fox, 2 Lois Crowder, 3 Isabelle Sherwin; 9/10, boys, 1 Lewis Haworth, 2 Joseph Ruthord, 3 Ben Jacobs; girls, 1 Laurn Shimbles, 2 Lilly Chattoe, 3 Mollie Foster; 7/8, boys, 1 Adam Gaunt, 2 Sam Foster, 3 Jordon Allatt; girls, 1 Tyler Sands, 2 Emma Whitfield, 3 Alice Garratt; 13/14, boys, 1 Tim Brook, Ben Whitfield, 3 Ben Hollings; girls, 1 Charlotte Walsh, 2 Rebecca Winters, 3 Holly Beakers; 11/12, boys, 1 Ben Whitfield, 2 Connor Murgatroyd, 3 Chris Eastwood; girls, 1 Nicola Smith, 2 Emma Cooke, 3 Ellie Jane; 15-18, boys, 1Tom Throupe, 2 Jo Doherty, 3 Alex Clemingson; girls, 1 Chloe Langhorn, 2 Katie Gray, 3 Beth Marsh; 19-plus, men, 1 Simon Halifax, 2 John Foster, 3 Richard Chattoe; ladies, 1 Chloe Langhorn, 2 Emma Carke, 3 Beth Marsh. Sack race, 7/8, 1 Sam Foster, 2 Molly Batch, 3 Adam Gaunt; 11/12, 1 Ben Whitfield, 2 Chris Eastwood, 3 Daniel Rogozinski; 9/10, 1 Mollie Foster, 2 Lauren Shimbles, 3 Gemma Shepardson; 13/14, 1 Rebecca Shepardson, 2 Ben Hollings, 3 Aaron Baxter. Skipping, 7/8, 1 Sam Foster, Molly Batch, 3 William Halliday; 11/12, 1 Ben Whitfield, 2 Richard Moxon, 3 James Antar; 13/14, 1 Richard Moxon, 9/10, 1 Mollie Foster, 2 Laurn Shimbles, 3 Lilly Chattoe. Slow bike, open age, 1 Lewis Haworth, 2 Joseph Ruthford, 3 Ben Whitfeld. Long distance, 11-16, 1 Tom Throupe, 2 Alex Clem, 3 Jo Doherty.