THE clock is ticking down to one of the most eagerly-awaited community events in the Helensburgh and Lomond calendar – the Rhu and Shandon Gala Day.

Taking place for a second time at the Royal Northern and Clyde Yacht Club's premises in Rhu, this year's event will be held on Saturday, June 10.

The celebrations will begin in traditional fashion with a parade from Rhu Marina, though this year the parade will start at 11am – an hour earlier than in 2016.

The parade will be led by the Helensburgh Clan Colquhoun Pipe Band and will include, in traditional fashion, the gala's King, Queen, Prince and Princess - the Gala Royals – as they head for the gala day venue in suitably regal fashion.

Attractions on the day will include a petting zoo, courtesy of McMillan Entertainment, and birds of prey from KG Hawks, and it's hoped the latter will put on a display of their amazing abilities.

The ever-famous dog show, run by Rhu resident Fiona Baker, will start at 12 noon and will run through the day, with family races in the main arena from 2.30pm and the day reaching a climax with the tug-of-war – this year with a newly-donated trophy up for grabs for the winners.

Gordon Black, from the gala day's organising committee, said: “There will be the MoD police boat there, as well as a classic tractor and fire engine that can be played with. There will be bouncy castles, crockery smash, burgers and ice cream as well as a wide array of local stalls.

“The inside of the clubhouse is open too, and we're hoping to encourage many more people to go inside this year to see what's on offer!”

The gala day moved last year to the RNCYC's premises from its previous home at the village's Ardenconnel Field after the Ministry of Defence, which owns the Ardenconnel ground in Cumberland Road, announced plans to create an all-weather sports facility on the site.

But the MoD announced earlier this year that it was “reviewing its intent” over the plans for Ardenconnel, with Craig Mearns, captain of HM Naval Base Clyde, stating that the Ministry was now considering creating a facility nearer to the centre of Helensburgh.

And the RNCYC's members voted in October last year to move to a new facility at nearby Rhu Marina, pending the sale of their current clubhouse and grounds for a residential development.

The RNCYC's members hope to be in their new home by 2019.