I AM writing on behalf of Rhu and Shandon Gala Committee to offer our sincere thanks to everyone who supported the 2013 Rhu and Shandon Gala Day. The Gala was blessed with glorious sunshine this year and had a wonderful turnout. The Gala aims to be a fun and affordable family day for all the community and it simply would not happen without the support and sponsorship of local businesses, organisations and members of the community.

We would like to thank HMNB Clyde for the use of Ardenconnel Field, the many businesses that took advertising in the programme and provided prizes for the tombola and raffle; Rhu Primary School for their all round support including the many parents who helped out on the stalls; Peninsula Media Group for the PA system; the Helensburgh Advertiser; Rhu Marina for hosting the parade; the Buffett Shop and Rhu Church for donations to the tea tent and GSS for supplying the power. Special thanks for the generous donation from the Community Advertiser who delivered Gala Programmes to every house in Rhu and Shandon.

We are very grateful to Helensburgh Pet Shop for again sponsoring the very well attended Gala Fun Family Dog Show and to Mrs Caryll McConnal for judging assisted by stewards Linda Black and Anne Fleming. Ruaridh MacKinley of Double Six Cars kindly provided the convertible Jaguar for the Gala Queen and princesses and Helensburgh Theatre Arts provided the golden throne. We would also like to thank Graeme McCormick of Conveyancing Direct and Mrs Judy Boyd for making generous donations to the Gala Funds.

The Gala Committee is very grateful to the MoD Community Covenant for awarding a grant to purchase seven fantastic new marquees, which were much admired by all.

We would also like to thank everyone that took stalls at the event and to the Rhu Inn for providing the bar and sponsoring the prize Tug O War; all the dancers from Claire Burns Dance School and Rhu Primary School, Helensburgh and Lomond Pipers and the Neptune Band and HM Coastguard for joining the procession and having a vehicle on display. The Fire Brigade for bringing a fire engine and the Police for managing the parade and all their assistance. Thanks are due to Stewart McKendrick who was the compere and to Lynne Tillyard and Margaret Seymour for running the Gala HQ tent. Many thanks to St Michael's Church, Mather Hire and the RNLI for saving the day by helping fix the things that went wrong at the eleventh hour.

We are grateful to Rev Ian Millar for opening the Gala and to Jenni Spittal for judging the Bonny Babies competition. Thanks are due to Rhu and Shandon Sea Cadets for all their help on the day.

Finally we would like to sincerely thank all those volunteers who gave up their time to organise and help out at the Gala, without them it just wouldn't happen. In particular thanks are due to Evan, Bridget, Andrew, Alex, Audrey, Lorna, Jayne, Miriam and the Sutter Family and friends, Zoe, Alison, Helensburgh Hockey Club and all helpers and the local residents and everyone who came along on the day. On behalf of the whole committee thank you very much indeed to everyone that contributed to the success of the 2013 Rhu and Shandon Gala. If we have forgotten anyone we do apologise - thank you to one and all!

Fiona Baker Secretary Rhu and Shandon Gala Committee