Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Village Gala Day Drama

291 replies

Bronniel · 11/02/2025 22:28

I live in a small Scottish Village, every year there is a Gala Day, I imagine it is similar to a Village Fete in England, but basically It is a lot of local businesses, food vans, live music and some little rides for the kids in the local park, with a parade around the village and a fancy dress competition, it is fairly popular. Also a lot of other events in the village on the weekend surrounding it and competitions for the kids.
Every year there is a Gala Queen, plus some other big roles like crown bearer, maids etc. Basically the Queen gets crowned to kick the day off and prior to that leads the parade in a horse and carriage. It's all very much set in tradition but still popular and the kids enjoy it.
Traditionally the Gala Queen and the rest of the Gala party has been selected by the primary school in the village, and consists of P7s, the head teacher picks them and they are chosen based on behaviour/attainment etc. throughout the year. My own kids viewed it as quite a bit accolade to be chosen and it seems like a big deal to the kids. This method though has had its controversies as obviously not every child in the Village attends the village school with some going to other schools for various reasons and others going to say the catholic school or occasionally the odd who does the 30+ minute commute to a private school, it also excludes any kids who attend the schools for additional needs as these aren't in the village. However it has always been the primary schools pick.
I am on the Gala Committee and this year there is a push to change the allocation method, basically to some sort of system where any Primary 7 aged child who lives in the village or surrounding farms/one hamlet where all the kids also go to the local school, would be able to enter. The top ideas right now are some sort of essay writing competition or a competition where kids submit "evidence of excellence" be it a video of a dance they have learnt, art they have done, sports awards etc. The essay seems to be the popular choice but some fear that it will mean just the smartest kids get the chance to be part of it. It's said that either the committee would pick or we could get some locals to pick (so a panel of maybe the head teacher, the minister at the local church etc). The idea for the essay writing competition is they would write an essay on the history of the village or something similar.

However the issue is, this same year one of the most vocal members of the Gala Committee has a grandchild who is in Primary 7, but at a private school, so wouldn't be eligible under the historical system as despite living in the village, doesn't attend the local school. About half of the committee are against any changes as it is set in tradition and they feel the change is purely to benefit this members grandchild and future grandchildren. They also feel that it is unfair to ask the children of the local state school, many from lower income backgrounds to compete against private school kids on either the essay front or the hobby front. Others feel it is a necessary change as the days of all the kids going to the local school are over, and lots of the kids at the local school aren't from the village now.

It is creating quite the divide and a lot of upset so I'm looking to see what others think as we seem to be in a deadlock.

So
YABU - The traditional method should stay
YANBU - Time to update so all the kids in the village can be involved

(I know this seems trivial but it is the source of many a head ache for me right now and it is the height of village drama for our sleepy little place).

OP posts:
Wolfpa · 13/02/2025 07:56

For the amount of children in different schools who are affected I wouldn’t bother to change the selection. Each school will come with its own privileges and this is the privilege of that particular school.

AiryFairyLights · 13/02/2025 07:58

Bronniel · 11/02/2025 22:37

Names in a hat would really go down like a lead balloon in my village. Those who donate/contribute to the Gala Day would become quite resentful if the kids who go about vandalising, and general have terrible behaviour and are known for causing trouble got a role and to be honest the families of these kids really don't contribute at all to the day.
I'm not against it but I know for a fact the committee wouldn't accept it, so it as a no go.

Have an entry system..... Each child that wants to participate fill in an entry form..... To include answers to say three questions
... What's your favourite thing about the village
.... Name something nice you did for somebody
etc etc.
Successful entries are put into a draw with a grand reveal/result etc.

Serencwtch · 13/02/2025 07:59

I'd go for changing the criteria to include all the children - but make sure the criteria is more inclusive so not just academic ability, sports etc

Put emphasis on things like making effort - so a child with a disability or chronic illness that has achieved above the odds, a young carer of a disabled parent or sibling etc, doing things to help others - supporting others, standing up to bullying etc

I wouldn't award it on the basis of an essay writing competition, grade 8 violin or national sports champion etc.

You will need some Gin to get you through this either way OP. Good luck Gin

Fraaances · 13/02/2025 08:00

Maybe family members of committee members should be ineligible to enter.... That happens with lots of competitions.

Gardenbird123 · 13/02/2025 08:01

What about choosing children who have done something for the village - litter pick or something?

zeibesaffron · 13/02/2025 08:02

@TickingAlongNicely nails it!

Bluesclues1 · 13/02/2025 08:02

All sounds awfully old fashioned

fiorentina · 13/02/2025 08:06

I think if they want to be considered then enter a ballot. Not everyone wants to be I’m sure but then it’s fair. And make sure it’s fully independently chosen in front of others to avoid favouritism arguments!

CerealPosterHere · 13/02/2025 08:07

Should be open to all kids and they should have to write a statement saying why it should be them. Pick the best statement. on passion of the statement rather than academic standard. Even picking someone who has done something "worthy" like litter picking might discriminate against a kid who wasn't able bodied?

AngelinaFibres · 13/02/2025 08:07

Mischance · 12/02/2025 08:23

I am an "older woman in a village" 😀and I would favour names in a hat .... and I know all my friends would be of the same mind.

Show quote history

I'm am older woman in an English village. We do just about everything using the names in a hat method.

ThatCraftyHazelQuoter · 13/02/2025 08:07

What if the local headteacher nominates 3 girls and 2 boys as usual. Then for any p7 children who do not attend the local school but live within catchment, they can apply to be part of the gala as long as they can provide a positive reference from their head teacher.

All eligible children are put in a draw and 3 girls are selected and 2 boys are selected. If no 'non-local primary' children apply, then the current tradition stands and the headteacher's decision is final.

CerealPosterHere · 13/02/2025 08:08

fiorentina · 13/02/2025 08:06

I think if they want to be considered then enter a ballot. Not everyone wants to be I’m sure but then it’s fair. And make sure it’s fully independently chosen in front of others to avoid favouritism arguments!

Like this idea actually.

Ceramiq · 13/02/2025 08:10

It's very hard to judge from afar but being deeply embedded in the social fabric of the village probably ought to be a strong criterion. Probably a bit unfair to exclude children who don't attend the village school but children who do attend the village school probably get extra points for being embedded in the social fabric?

I don't think essay writing or academic excellence are great criteria. It should be much more about being a positive force for good in the village, beyond school.

farmlife2 · 13/02/2025 08:10

What about choosing based on who has contributed something valuable to the community? It could be community spirit or something, so that not just those who are capable to attaining high grades can be selected.

Tauranga · 13/02/2025 08:11

Bluesclues1 · 13/02/2025 08:02

All sounds awfully old fashioned

Itbis old fashioned, or to phrase it another way, ' traditional'.
These events are amazing and create a fabulous community.

TinkerSailer · 13/02/2025 08:12

Why is picking a name out the hat the fairest? We don’t pick our leaders this way. Healthy competition is good for us as a society - it encourages us to strive, it improves resilience and the winner feels proud of their accomplishments.

I think an essay is a good idea. If you are not good at writing an essay you won’t win, like if you arent good at running you won’t win the race. It’s life I’m afraid.

Children need to understand they don’t always win. It’s an important life school and by ‘picking lots’ we are doing children a disservice.

GreatGardenstuff · 13/02/2025 08:12

Ask for nominations from teachers, parents, scout leaders etc. Review and remove names of ‘unworthy’ kids, that may have sneaked in. Put what’s left in a hat.

Frankie412 · 13/02/2025 08:13

I would leave it as the local school decides, with an automatic role for any child at the special needs school who wants a role to get one. Kids going to private schools have other advantages in life.

lanadelgrey · 13/02/2025 08:16

Contribution to village life in some way ie by volunteering, being a role model in the local school/community should be a criteria. You can put it to the committee that it will enhance cohesiveness and get kids involved in stuff that the village wants or needs volunteers for. Effort as much as achievement at that age. And then stick names who committee/headteacher thinks as eligible into a hat.

NoTouch · 13/02/2025 08:19

Bronniel · 11/02/2025 22:37

Names in a hat would really go down like a lead balloon in my village. Those who donate/contribute to the Gala Day would become quite resentful if the kids who go about vandalising, and general have terrible behaviour and are known for causing trouble got a role and to be honest the families of these kids really don't contribute at all to the day.
I'm not against it but I know for a fact the committee wouldn't accept it, so it as a no go.

What if one of those toe rags wrote a good essay/excellent video of dance/spray painting skills? Essay doesn't work.

How do you know if the private school kids are not little bullying shits at their private school, that info just doesn't get back to the village?

How do you know if the kids that isn't out and about vandalising isn't sitting in their bedroom on the internet bullying random strangers in chat rooms.

Random draw. Otherwise it just gets too complicated for it to be done fairly.

Ilovebabykangaroo · 13/02/2025 08:20

This is so archaic.

I have read the whole thread and to be honest at your next AGM, you need to be voting on new committee members as your current bunch appear to be too set in their ways, small minded and sanctimonious.
I get that this is a tradition, however, it’s 2025 , changes need to be made to reflect modern times.

As for not rewarding wee Lilah the troublemaker in the village who can’t read, write or run a 4 minute mile, just remember behaviour is communication and maybe, just maybe, being chosen to be the queen might have a positive impact on wee Lilah.

TheaBrandt1 · 13/02/2025 08:22

Ha definitely leave it as is. It’s like the Royal Family - once you examine it or try to change it it makes zero sense and is extremely unfair. You can’t shoehorn 2025 values on Victorian events or it all falls apart. Look at all the different suggestions. You either go with it as it is or bin it altogether.

MrsMalaga · 13/02/2025 08:27

Consult.

this will take time but u will b glad u did it.

for now, stick with the same process as you have in place.

then let parents know that there’s going to be a consultation asking for thoughts on the best way forward - that way you can reduce the amount of grumbling that goes on when the system changes.

When in doubt, ALWAYS rely on data to make a decision. I have been on a PTA of a school with a v large, opinionated parent community - consulting is the way forward 😀

PinkPanther50 · 13/02/2025 08:28

Just keep it the way it is now. It’s a village event and ‘rewards’ those who attend the village school. If it’s so important to some parents that their child is chosen, or has a chance of being chosen, then they should be supporting the local school. Some things just need to stay traditional.

TickingAlongNicely · 13/02/2025 08:31

Ilovebabykangaroo · 13/02/2025 08:20

This is so archaic.

I have read the whole thread and to be honest at your next AGM, you need to be voting on new committee members as your current bunch appear to be too set in their ways, small minded and sanctimonious.
I get that this is a tradition, however, it’s 2025 , changes need to be made to reflect modern times.

As for not rewarding wee Lilah the troublemaker in the village who can’t read, write or run a 4 minute mile, just remember behaviour is communication and maybe, just maybe, being chosen to be the queen might have a positive impact on wee Lilah.

The trouble with this committees is that the only ones that volunteer are often these "older women". Everyone else likes to complain but not actually do the work.

Jokes aside... sometimes you do need to chose between a bit of nepotism and the event actually happening. I know our "Village Show" committee work all year round for what for most of the village is a 1 day event if they have nothing else on that day.