The Hunslet Community Gala’s good run of form on the weather front continued, with 2,000+ people gathering for a sun-baked afternoon together last weekend (Saturday 27th June).
The festival centred around the performance arena, which featured dozens of local performers and especially dancers over the course of the afternoon. Acts included: Keldon School of Dance, the Hunslet Hawks cheerleaders, a performance showcase from the Hunslet Club, Cirque Dance Company, and the Supreme Starlets Majorettes.
There was also the kids zone, games and giant inflatables, a bar run by local heritage pub The Garden Gate, food, dozens of stalls including the ever-popular Morley Exotic Pet Rescue Centre (who – amongst other things – brought a giant 3m python), and – with the weather as it was – a whole lot of ice cream.
Chief gala coordinator Steve Thompson summed up:
“It’s great to see the community out together, the event’s getting better every year – and we always do seem to get lucky with the weather! We’re delighted people value and enjoy the gala as much as they do – and we’d love to hear from other local people who want to get involved and help us run it.”
Hunslet Gala has been running for 30+ years, and 13 years in its current form. It takes place every June on the Grove Road recreation ground, next to St Mary’s school and church and opposite the Penny Hill Centre. It’s run by a group of local volunteers, who work behind the scenes each year to pull it together.
The community festival season very much continues of course, with both the Belle Isle and Holbeck Galas this weekend (Saturday 4th July), and both the Hunslet Club and Middleton Galas next (Saturday 11th July).
