Friends of Newlands Park

This year’s Newlands Summer Fête was a fantastic event which built on the success of last year’s fête, the first to be held following the pandemic. It provided a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together on a fabulously sunny afternoon!

The event was organised by the Friends of Newlands Park, with substantial practical support from the 29^th Scout Group, who provided and assembled the gazebos for the event and ran their catering tent, helping to keep fête-goers refreshed throughout the afternoon.

Check out our video of the day here!

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There were lots of activities to get involved in, with something for everyone, including the opportunity to try out the fantastic new tennis courts with coaching sessions taking place throughout the afternoon.

We were delighted to have many returning participants and stall holders join us again. The 46^th Guides ran the ever-popular tombola again and also added a new activity, face-painting, which also proved to be very popular. The fabulous Village Storytelling Centre ran a series of storytelling and crafts sessions throughout the afternoon, entertaining children and adults alike. The Folks’ Music Project once again offered the chance for any budding musicians to try their hand at a whole host of musical instruments. For those who sought a more restful activity, there was also the opportunity to participate in a taster session to experience Qi Gong meditation.

One of the highlights of the afternoon for many, particularly many excited children, was the arrival of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The crew were brilliant – there was the chance for people to get into the appliance, and to have a go at using the hose!

We were also delighted to have several wildlife organisations and Friends groups participating in the event again, including Froglife, Butterfly Conservation, Scottish Badgers and Friends of Linn Park, offering people the opportunity to find out more about the nature supported by the park, and the wider area, through displays and activities. RSPB were unable to attend the event, but they generously provided activity sheets.

For those looking for a bit of retail therapy there were a number of stalls, including a Fairtrade stall (run by St Margaret’s church) and a Beatson stall, selling items to raise funds for their organisations and a book swap stall. The Guide Dogs for the Blind exhibit was very popular again this year, with the chance to meet the gorgeous ambassador dogs and pick up a doggy lucky bag for your own four-legged friend to enjoy.

Thank you to everyone who helped to make this year’s fête a huge success, including the generous donors to Friends of Newlands Park without whose financial contributions this event would not have been possible. Thank you also to the Newlands and Auldhouse Community Council (NACC) for their generous £500 donation to support this year’s event.

As well as being a fun afternoon, the event provided a great opportunity for the local youth groups and charities to raise valuable funds for their organisations.

Enormous thanks to all of those who contributed to organising the event, and those who were involved on the day. Heartfelt thanks to those who came along on the day to support the event and make it such a fabulous afternoon – we are very grateful to our communities for their generous support. We hope to see you all again in 2024!!

The gallery of photos below were all taken by David Brown, of Queens Park Camera Club.