KIRKCONNEL and Kelloholm’s Gala week began last week - and the weather has been kind.

The annual week of fun and laughter kicked off with the customary Charity Shield final and has continued with a host of other great events.

Still to come are: Wednesday, 7pm, The talent show in the Miners Memorial Centre; Thursday, 6pm The scooter race in the Kingsway; Thursday 7.15pm, Prize Bingo in the Miners Memorial Centre; Friday, 6pm, Barbecue and disco in Nithside Park; Friday 8pm, Drums n Roses in concert in the Miners Memorial Centre, tickets £5; Friday 10.30pm, Lantern Procession and fireworks display from the Miners Memorial Centre to Jungle Park.

It all leads up to, of course, the Children’s Gala on Saturday.

Nithside Park will be buzzing for this great event as a host of great bands provide a soundtrack to the day.

It’ll all start in the morning when the judging of the Fancy Dress and the lorries will take place in Kelloholm Primary School at 11.30am.

The lorries will then parade through the streets led by the pipe and silver bands.

At 2pm, Gala Queen Tyler Shankland will be crowned by Mrs Morag Bryce.

The fun really kicks off then with the bands - including Sanquhar’s Silver Band, the Upper Nithsdale Youth Pipe Band and the Samba sisters - letting rip while the crowds enjoy face painting, sideshows, inflatables and all manner of frolics.

At 4.15pm, the bands will come together for the musical climax of this great day.

And after the Gala Dinner Dance in the Miners Memorial Centre at 7pm, the organisers can take a well-deserved rest.