A GALA with its roots dating back to the 1940s returns this weekend.

Nungate Gala has long been at the heart of the Haddington area and was revived in the 1990s.

Now, preparations are well under way as the event returns to the town on Saturday afternoon.

Liz McDougall, chairwoman of the Nungate Gala, was pleased to see it return again for 2024.

She said: “It is specific to the Nungate people.

“It is our heritage, it is what we strive for to make our kids happy in the Nungate.

“There used to be an awful lot of poverty in the Nungate, which is not a feature now, but a lot of families do struggle over there.

“If you can bring a wee bit of cheer into families, then why not?

“It is our heritage and there has been a gala since 1945.

“There was not a gala queen until 1946 but it has always been specific to the Nungate.”

READ MORE: Pictures: Nungate Gala brings the community together

The gala court was announced in April, with Harley Scott confirmed as the gala queen for 2024.

She will be joined by Noah Brown (consort), Taylor Lockhart (maid-of-honour); Amber Byers (lady-in-waiting); Christine Park (flower girl); Cole Moran (herald); Floraidh McKay and Evie Brash (fairies); and George Park (pageboy).

Plenty is planned for the area off Whittingehame Drive as the gala once again offers a fun-filled day.

Bonnie baby and fancy dress judging takes place from noon on the stage.

The crowning ceremony takes place from 12.30pm to 1pm and there will be performances from Auld Hart and dancers in the afternoon.

Around the park, there will be funfair rides and inflatables, as well as face-painting.

On top of that, there will be refreshments ranging from tea and coffee to waffles, ice creams and burgers.

Mrs McDougall noted that it had been a challenge to pull everything together this year and called on volunteers to come forward to ensure that the gala remained on the events card for 2025.

At the same time, she stressed the sense of pride at being from the Nungate remained as strong as ever for the community.

She added: “People from Haddington are more than welcome to come and join us.

“It is always lovely to see everybody.”

Councillor Tom Trotter, who represents the Haddington and Lammermuir ward on East Lothian Council, was previously involved in organising the event.

He said: “It is the heart of that community and everything that goes in that community.

“I stood back for a couple of years but I am proud to still be involved.

“It is such an excellent community event.

“For me, I was born and brought up in the Nungate and it will always be special.”