As the great Noddy Holder once sang….”So here it is…..”
Well, we had it all this week in the Town, freezing fog and, well, just plain freezing. Who knows, maybe we’ll even get some snow. If you’re reading this from a far, then our -4c, which is was last night, probably isn’t that cold, but it was to us !!! As the lights twinkle around the town and the kids are on their best behaviour (in theory, anyway) may I wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. Do keep an eye on the Blog as while the Editor enjoys some festive spirit, who knows what prizes he may give away…..

Ok, not a Gala Event but worth a mention. The annual Portaferry Bazaar is on today. Loads of good prizes and always good fun. It’s in St Patrick’s Community Centre and runs from 3pm until, well, all the prizes are won I guess !

Just a reminder, if you paid for a picture with Santa on Saturday the 2nd, the ‘photos will be available for collection on Saturday the 9th at the Country Market.

Well, if ever there was a chill winter wind in the air, it was this evening in the square. After a very busy afternoon of handing out presents, Santa’s little helpers and a crowd from the town gathered in the square with Ards Mayor Angus Carson, Clrs Joe Boyle & Kieran McCarthy, as Mrs J Carson (the power behind the throne !!) threw the switch and lit up the town square while the local Methodist Church Choir sang Christmas Carols. Oh and of course we all looked towards the sky for a glimpse of the retreating sleigh. Click here for pictures.

Don’t forget to call at the country market next Saturday, the 9th, for your Santa Pictures.

Saturday December the 2nd is the latest “date for the diary”. It’s the annual switching on of the Christmas Lights and Carol Singing in the Square. Of course there’ll also be a special visitor in the Market House that day too. (A visit to Santa cost £3 and a photo as well, is £2.) Come along from 1.30 pm, have fun with the Elves and Rudolph and we’ll make sure you get in the festive mood !

A great big “thank you” to everyone who attended the lantern making sessions and the Parade and Peek and Boo show tonight. Well done to the fancy dress winners and see you all at Christmas for the switching on of the lights.

Yup, as the nights draw in it’s almost time for the annual Portaferry Halloween fun night. Following the very well attended Lantern Parade last year, children will be invited to come along and make their own for this years Parade. Details are on the home page of the site. As for the night itself dig out your darkest, scariest outfit and try and out do Anthony. Go on, there must be someone out there brave enough……

I’ve added a few more float pictures, taken along the shore, (thanks Ray !) some more Glamtastics and It’s a Knockout snaps too.

Do you have any Gala memories you’d like to share ? Any funny stories of Gala Weeks past ? Have you any pictures of your family and friends taking part in Street Parties/Floats/Fancy Dress ? If you do we’d love to hear from you and if you’re happy to do so, we’ll share your memories here on the Gala Site. Do feel free to get in touch and help contribute to Gala 40.

The World and his Aunt were going on about this all day yesterday, so why on earth shouldn’t we, here on the Gala Blog, mention the passing of Top of the Pops. To those of a certain age it was THE big programme of the week.

I know it’s hard for us to imagine a world without MTV and it’s 100,000 clones, but back in the dark ages of three channel, Black and White TV (Yes kids, that’s not just a scary story like Rumplestiltskin, it did actually happen) Top of the Pops was YOUR programme, with YOUR music.

Talking about it last night, I had to admit I wasn’t a huge fan of TOTP. In fact even today I still have flashbacks to rolling about the carpet eating lego and hearing scary songs about “Seasons in the Sun”, then (shudder) the Bay City Rollers came along and put me off shortbread for life. Worse still, in the 80’s Thursday nights simply meant learning useless French vocab for never ending Friday Tests, “The Pops” was, by then, just a good excuse for taking a break.

Whatever your memories and whatever your thoughts, it doesn’t really matter now as TOTP has gone the way of Spangles, Marathon’s and Raiders (that last one’s for our foreign readers) Ahhh, those WERE the days my friend………