3 December 2006
Bridge of Allan outs fun into
Fundraising at annual Christmas Event
The Bridge of Allan Charity Fun Day will be held this year on Sunday, 3 December, and the event looks set to raise thousands of pounds for local charities as well as attracting thousands of visitors to the village to mark the start of the festive season. This year’s Fun Day will be bigger and better with even more charities involved and more fun for all the family. A total of 15 local charities will run a variety of stalls in the village, and it anticipated that the event will raise even more money for charity than the £20,000 raised last year.

The Fun Day has become a popular annual Christmas tradition for all of the family and is once again being sponsored by Graham’s, Scotland’s largest independent family-owned dairy company, which has been based in Bridge of Allan since 1939. The day will start at 12 noon and will be officially opened by the chairman of Graham’s Family Dairy, Robert Graham snr on behalf of the sponsors. A free children’s disco will take place in the Allanbridge Social Club from 1-3.30pm, with a free selection box for each child. Later in the day, children from macrobert’s Alladin panto production will switch on the Christmas tree lights in the village’s Provost Park at 4pm. The large Christmas tree is again being donated by local delicatessen Clive Ramsay.

Adding to the festive atmosphere at the Fun Day will be carol singing by local choirs, fairground rides, mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. Alloa and Bowmore Pipe Band will also entertain the crowds while the Bridge of Allan Round Table will be helping Santa with his sleigh. The farmers market will be the biggest yet with a wonderful and diverse range of locally produced goods.

Amongst many other attractions, there will be the opportunity to taste award-winning organic beers free of charge at Bridge of Allan Brewery’s beer festival, watch battle re-enactments by Clan Alba and to design a Christmas bauble at Village Glass. To help keep the kids amused, there’s a chance to see birds of prey up close, Stirling Council Play Bus, face painting and the local police community officer will be demonstrating the process of finger printing. Blair Drummond Safari Park will also be making their first appearance to support the charity Fun Day.

The annual extravaganza is organised by Bridge of Allan Merchants Association, representing over 60 local businesses, which helps to market Bridge of Allan as an attractive tourist destination by organising events, providing colourful hanging baskets and other village enhancements and also producing a variety of informative literature which tourists can refer to during their visit.

Douglas Ross, Fun Day organiser from the Bridge of Allan Merchants Association, said: “There really is something for the whole family at this year’s Fun Day. The event is not only a fantastic way to showcase the very best that Bridge of Allan has to offer but, more importantly, it helps to raise thousands of pounds for many deserving charities.

“What nicer way can there be to do the Christmas shopping than while soaking up the festive atmosphere, enjoying a warm glass of mulled wine and sampling delicious locally produced food?”

Graham’s will be just one of the local businesses taking part in the farmer’s market. The firm will be running its own stand, sampling milk and its own-brand organic, Jersey, cream and butter products. Carol Graham, marketing director for Graham’s, said: “We are delighted to once again support the Bridge of Allan Fun Day, which is a fantastic family event and a great way of bringing the local community together. We look forward to being part of the day’s festivities.” To find out more about the Fun Day visit www.bridgeofallan.org

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