YEEEHAAAA . . . Lockerbie Gala and ROM’s full line of principals is now complete.
Voters braved a downpour on Friday night to attend the annual vote night. This year’s Cornet’s Lass Sam
Howatson and Cornet Mark Walker-Jones ran uncontested but three lovely ladies were in the running to wear the queen’s sparkly crown.
Lockerbie Academy’s Maddy Hodg- kins, Amyleigh Watson and Kayla Mc- George went head to head at a public vote at the town hall.
A steady stream of locals took part in the two-hour-long secret ballot and it was Kayla who clinched the vote.
Unfortunately for poor Kayla she was unable to attend the vote night, for the 14-year-old was in hospital.
But her family gathered in force to represent their girl.
Speaking after the vote, Kayla said: “I’m so grateful for those who took the time to vote for me.
“To have been given the opportunity to be Lockerbie Gala Queen 2019, for me, this was a dream.
“Having been in hospital all that week I felt that the reality would be that being queen would remain a dream.
“I can not tell you what a privilege it is going to be to represent the town at this annual celebration.”
She said: “I am very much looking forward to making so many happy memories along with the rest of the gala retinue.
“I am looking forward to the chal- lenges and responsibilities that will come with this role. I will do my very best to ful l my duties . . . I can not wait!”
Kayla will share her gala day oat with big attendants Amyleigh and Maddy and will be supported by Tilly Jardine, Romey Green, Bobbi Brown, Robert Scott, Eve Lauder and Ava Rae as well as Miss Valentine Ruby Pagan.
Meanwhile experienced rider Kate Anderson, mother of last year’s Cor- net’s Lass Krystal, is this year’s Stan- dard Bearer.
Making her the third female to hold the role since its 1954 creation.
Looking forward to the season ahead, gala chairman Ian McLatchie said: “Congratulations to all our prin- cipals – what a fabulous bunch.
“Thanks to everyone who came out and supported our vote night, we have, as ever, lots of great events taking place from now until this year’s Gala Day – June 8. Forward Locker- bie.”
