While the Open Championship struggled to get going in St Andrews, organisers of the Halbeath Residents and Tenants Association’s annual event were toasting a successful day that saw its highest turnout to date.

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Annabelle Ewing was on hand to officially open the gala, where she was presented with flowers by Halbeath Elite Taekwon Do Scotland student Kailee Simon, who picked up a silver and a bronze medal at the Unified-ITF Taekwon Do World Championships in London on 11th-12th July.

Despite the high winds preventing the use of inflatables, youngsters were treated to a roundabout ride and free pony rides, while a number of stalls, including the sale of jewellery and coffee, kept the crowds entertained.

Sport was also on the agenda and in the gala’s seven-a-side football tournament, the Halbeath Geriatrics came out on top in the final on penalties against the Halbeath Youth Team, while Kieran McEwan, Brooke Stewart and Regan Moore were the winners of the senior male, female and junior hill races.

Sheila Chadfield, one of the gala’s organisers, said, “Despite the high winds and conditions this was the best-attended gala we’ve had since we started in 2010, so it was a good success. It was a shame that the winds meant there were no inflatables but there was plenty going on and the kids all got their goody bags – they did well out of it!

“We had some great support, particularly from the staff at McDonald’s at the leisure park, who helped us with stewarding on the hill race. It was a good day.”