MENSTRIE Gala returned at the weekend to crown a week of events in the village.

Organised by Menstrie Community Council and the events team, gala day went ahead at Dumyat Park on Saturday, June 11, with folks out in force to join in the family fun.

The week started with Tea in the Park on June 4 with live music, featuring Saltire Steel, The Mocking Birds, The A Beats and more.

The next day people were enjoying jubilee street parties before trying their hands at bowls with Menstrie Bowling Club which hosted a family quiz night later in the week as well.

There was also an arts and crafts session and a bingo night at the Dumyat Centre, a pet show at the park and a car treasure hunt.

Gala day itself saw the Alloa Bowmar Pipe Band lead a procession through the village before the fun began at the park.

There was plenty for young and old to do with a Circus Alba performance, a Crown Dance exhibition, an assault course with Hillfoots Rugby Club, fun rides, a Beano the Clown show, a tug of war between mums and dads as well as the grand finals of a football fives competition.

Police Scotland also attended with a mobile van with young people getting a chance to try the speed gun while there were plenty of tombolas and other stalls to keep people busy.

Dave Sharp, chair of Menstrie Community Council, told the Advertiser: “We really tried to involve all the groups in the village, a week full of events trying to cater for all age groups, from nursery straight up to seniors.

“Everyone was helping, everyone was doing good team work.”

Supporting the week and gala day were a number of local businesses as well as the EDF Renewables Burnfoot Hill Wind Farm Community Fund with the chair giving a nod of thanks.

It was a week full of action with Dave delighted to have been able to bring back the football finals for young people for gala day, something which has been absent for some 10 years.

“The kids had a ball”, he added.

“Unfortunately, on Saturday [gala day] the weather wasn't on our side with a few heavy showers, but it didn't dampen the spirits and it was good to see the community back out in force again.”

There has been plenty of positive feedback and Dave issued a nod of thanks to all the volunteers and the community council and the events team who made it possible as well as all the residents who came out in force.