DUNFERMLINE Children's Gala is set to return next year – if enough volunteers step forward to make it happen.

The committee is holding an extraordinary general meeting on Tuesday and there's quiet optimism that one of the most special events in the city's calendar will go ahead on Saturday, June 24, 2023.

The gala has been a firm favourite with generations of kids – and adults – parading down the High Street over the past 120 years but the summer fun day couldn't go ahead this year due to a lack of volunteers.

Current chairman Gary Love said: "I think there's more confidence now than there was in the past that we can get the gala resurrected.

"We hope to appoint a new executive committee at the EGM.

"After that, the next step will be engaging with the local primary schools to help us get it back up and running."

The gala began in 1902 and the annual event sees around 2,000 pupils from local primary schools dressing up and marching down High Street, cheered by the watching crowds as they go, to Pittencrieff Park for an afternoon of fun and games.

Funding for next year's big day shouldn't be an issue, they just need volunteers and school gala reps, as well as a new chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary and treasurer.

Gary, who is standing down as chair after helping with the gala for more than a decade, said the old committee would help the new executive committee with the transition period

He continued: "The more people that come along on Tuesday, the better.

"We'd look for around eight to 10 people to be on the executive committee and you need around 25-30 volunteers on the day.

"Even if people can't be on the executive committee but can help on the day, that would be ideal."

The gala didn't run in its normal format in 2020 or 2021 either due to the pandemic and there's concern that the longer the wait, the harder it may be to bring it back.

Gary hopes there'll be huge excitement at the prospect of it coming back and it would be the first one since Dunfermline was granted city status.

He said: "I think the gala is a really big deal. It brings so many families together and it's a big economic generator for the city but there is a lot of work involved in putting it on and making it safe.

"I'm optimistic we'll see it back on June 24 next year."

The EGM will start at 7pm in the Vine Centre, Garvock Hill.

You can also get in touch and offer to help by sending a message on their Facebook page or by emailing dunfermlinegala@hotmail.com