If you’d like to register for this years 10 Mile Run, please fill out the form here : 2007 10 Mile Race Entry .

The event has grown and grown over the last few years, so we’d like to have an idea of how many are taking part earlier rather than later ! It’s not just for the serious runners either, so feel free to come along and join in the fun. Registration is £7, we are really pushing for relay entrants and would welcome as many as possible. There is no closing date, you can fill out the on-line form, or on the night, registration commences at 5:30pm. The venue for registration is the Church Hall, High Street, signs will be in place to direct. The race begins at 7:45pm. There is full changing facilities and refreshments are served after the event, plus each runner gets a much sought after Gala Mug.

As the 40th Gala Week gets ever closer (no, really it is !), don’t forget here on the website, we’d not only love to see your pictures of past Galas, but we’d love to hear about them too. So, if you’ve any memories you’d like to share, please do get in touch. Have you a funny Gala Week story ? Have you a Gala Week photo with a story attached ? Please e-mail us the details and we’ll add them to a special 40th Birthday “Memories” section of the site.

Ever wondered what it would be like to just up sticks and head off to experience another counrty and another culture ? A family who last week headed off to Calcutta, India, have launched an online blog of their “adventures”. Now, before you all cry “what’s this a blog of the week feature ?”, Nope, the family in question is that of a local lass ! Keep up to date with their four month adventure here Irish family Calcutta.

We’re sad to report that Peter Tomelty, who served on the Portaferry Gala Committee for many of it’s 40 years, has passed away. For visitors and townsfolk alike, Peter was synonumous with Portaferry and our annual festival.

Our thoughts and sympathy go out to his family.

In Gala Week 2005, BBC Blast followed the Sonic DJ Academy as they trained a few locals in the art of DJ’ing – you can see how they got on this Tuesday morning on BBC2 Northern Ireland at 10:30am, or, have a look at the Blast Website.

THE dates for the diary : 14-21st July. Hope to see you there !

well, it’s here, the year of the 40th Gala. May we wish all readers of the blog and visitors to the website, a Happy New Year and a great 2007.