Doune day of delight

Jun 19 2009 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Friday

THE “Big Top” came to Doune on Saturday when this year’s gala adopted the theme of “The Circus”.

Clowns, ringmasters and trapeze artistes marched to Moray Park behind this year’s queen Kayleigh Wells (P7) and her entourage – princes Calum MacInnes (P1) and Gregor Rodger (P2) and princesses Eva Fisher and Catie Warburton (both P2).

Mrs Morag Ferrier officially opened the Gala and crowned Kayleigh before tackling the arduous task of judging the fancy dress competition, which had some fantastic entries.

Traditional music from Callander Pipe Band and modern music from MC Stevie D entertained the crowds during the day as visitors enjoyed stalls and funfair.

The inter-school five-a-side football competition proved popular and the mini-league played on for most of the afternoon, organised by Andrew Henderson and Helen Tobin. Races and tug o’war – won again by the Red Lion – also took place throughout the day.

The Jimmuck’s Trophy for best-dressed window was won by Natural Choice Hair and Beauty and the circus quiz won by Chodneicki.

Doune Entertainments Committee would like to thank Ken Russell, Anwar Baig, Trevor Davis, John Cant, Linda Fox, Karen Fox , Rory McAlpine, Eleanor Blackwood, Sheila McAlpine, Mary McAlpine, Chrissie Ziolkowsi, Kirsty Sharp, Jennifer Innes, Val Mitchell, Kate Mitchell and John Lindsay, plus the many other local businesses who contributed to the event.

On Sunday, young and old turned out for the 31st annual Doune Gala Fun Run. This year the fun run was held on a Sunday for the first time and it proved a good decision. Numbers doubled and far more children took part.

But the older age groups did not stay away, with three contestants in the 65-70 age group, the fastest time being put in by the legendary Peter Cartwright.

At the other end of the scale, five year-old Finlay Brown trotted round the short course without stopping while Rory Abernethy ran the long course aiming for a target time of 30 minutes, and his performance won him one of the special trophies outright: it is the third consecutive year he has won his age class.

Another innovation this year was a special tiny tots event round the tennis courts, with supervised games afterwards safely within the courts, thus enabling the parents to take part in the main event.

The event raised £59 towards the Doune and Deanston Senior Citizens Outing traditionally known as the Grosset Fair. The fun run was sponsored by Harvey, mapmakers of Doune, and was organised by the sports group of Doune’s Kilmadock Development Trust.

And 10 minutes after the helpers had finished packing away the last signs and streamers, down came the rain!

Results

FANCY DRESS – Pre-School: 1 Suzie Crawford (Clown); 2 Rosalind Turnbull (Clown on Scooter); 3 Billy Gillespie (Clown).

P1-2: 1 Jamie Warburton (Big Top); 2 Sandy Lauder (Sandoski the Strongman) 3 Mollie Craig (Strongman).

P3-4: 1 Ross Derrick (Circus Monkey).

P5-7: 1 Sophie Wishart (Belly Dancer); 2 Sophie Rose (Doune's Strongman); 3 Erin Gillespie (Lady Clown).

Over P7: 1 Jana Tobin (Fortune Teller); 2 Morgan Donald (Pink Dancer).

Pairs/Groups: Mirren McLeod and Ross Menteith (Lion and Ringmaster); 2 Thomas Crombie and Sophie Mulvenna (Lion and Ringmaster); 3 Iona Whitehead, Holly Crawford, Eve and Struan Abernethy (Ringmaster and Lions).

Most Original: Betty McTurk Quaich – Suzie Crawford (Clown).

RACES – Boys Pre-School: 1 Finlay Brown; 2 Liam Smith; 3 Curtis Dennison.

P1-2: 1 Patrick Young; 2 Callum Shimmings; 3 Harris Clark.

P3-4: 1 Cameron Burns; 2 Reece Larson; 3 Robbie Malkin.

P5-6: 1 Rory Abernethy; 2 Scott Fleming; 3 James Duncan.

P7: 1 David Fridman; 2 Yacine Benrabel; 3 Sean Wilson.

Adults: 1 Nigel Willby; 2 Nick Bowen.

Pre-School Mixed: 1 Struan Abernethy; 2 Lewis Mullen; 3 Lauren Fitzpatrick.

Girls P3-4: 1 Danielle Donald; 2 Jennifer Wesley; 3 Abbie Smith.

P5-6: 1 Erin Clark; 2 Natsha Cuthbert: 3 Jenna Innes

P7: 1 Morgan Donald; 2 Anna Clelland; 3 Skye Campbell

S1-2: 1 Taylor Lauder; 2 Christina McEachearn; 3 Dulasherie Subbureddiar.

Adults: 1 Jenny Cheyne; 2 Alison Petrie; 3 Helen Tobin

Five-a-Sides: Seniors –Daniel Fridman, Ben Campbell-Roddis, Gregor Henderson, Fergus McQueen and Scott Fleming.

Juniors - Robbie Malkin, Emma Myles, Callum Shimmings, Cameron Dinwoodie and Jamie Warburton.

Sunday Fun Run results: 2km – 1 Oliver Wesley 11.30; 2 Scott Fleming 11.55; 3 Oscar Clarke 14.21.

6km – 1 Craig Brown 25.53; 2 Pete Cartwright 26.56; 3 Rob Latimer 27.42.