Latest news with #GalaDay
Metro
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Billy Connolly scarecrow 'dismembered' after being stolen by 'youths'
Bandits stole and then dismembered a family's beloved Billy Connolly scarecrow in a straw-ful joke. The life-sized replica of the legendary Scot was snatched from Louise Haggerty's garden, just around the corner from where the Big Yin lived himself in the late 1970s. After Louise, 65, saw 'youngsters' nabbing the scarecrow on Saturday night, the family found the figure chopped up and beheaded. Louise produced the straw-stuffed Connolly for this year's Gala Day in her home town of Drymen, in Stirlingshire, Scotland. As this competition had a Hawaiian theme, Louise and partner John opted to recreate the actor with his iconic 'banana feet'. The scarecrow, which even had its own banjo, was a hit with the local area during the gala and the pair hoped to display him until the end of August so more people could snap photos. But it all went pear-shaped on Saturday night when the dummy was targeted by youths. Louise told the Daily Record: 'A car pulled up, and somebody jumped out and stole our scarecrow. 'John even made a wee banjo for it. Just before it was stolen, John heard a lot of cackling and laughing and a horn beep, beep, beeping. 'He went outside and all that was left of Billy was his glasses. 'He's raging and says he'd like to get his hands on whoever stole Billy. 'It seems like it was just a quick grab and go.' A few hours after making a desperate Facebook appeal to locate the scarecrow, it was found a mile away, brutally torn apart. Louise told Glasgow Times: 'He was found less than a mile away, completely dismembered. 'His wooden banjo had been flung about 100 yards from the body. His leggings were ripped, and his torso was torn in half. 'I can't help but wonder what the point was. It almost felt like a vendetta, but I think it was probably just some spur-of-the-moment stupidity.' Devastated Louise added: 'Bad enough to take it but why tear it apart and absolutely destroy it.' The legendary Glaswegian comedian, now 82, lived in Drymen with his first wife Iris and two children. More Trending According to Louise, her late brother-in-law Davie was a close pal to the knighted TV personality when he lived in the town. The legendary actor and musician is now happily enjoying his retirement in the US, which he's spending drawing and fishing at his abode in the Florida Keys. Sir Billy was first diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2013, which came shortly after he began forgetting his lines during performances. With both his balance and memory starting to deteriorate, he suffered 'a couple of serious falls', leading to him walking with a stick and sometimes using a wheelchair. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Donald Trump 'to visit UK in weeks' with police preparing for 'significant' operation MORE: Center Parcs reveals new pictures of £400,000,000 UK holiday village and it's 'stunning at every turn' MORE: 'I spent a fortune building dream home but now the council won't let me live in it'
Glasgow Times
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Billy Connolly scarecrow destroyed after being stolen
The life-sized figure, created by Louise Haggerty for the Drymen Gala Day scarecrow competition, was snatched from her garden on Saturday night. The property is just a few hundred yards from where the legendary comedian once lived in the late 1970s. READ MORE: Hit reality show Married at First Sight seeking Glaswegian singles for new series (Image: Louise Haggerty) This year's competition had a Hawaiian theme, prompting Louise and her partner John to recreate Connolly with his signature 'banana feet' — a nod to his famous stage persona. She said: 'Every year for the Gala Day, there's a scarecrow competition and this time we decided to make Billy with his banana feet. 'It brought so much joy and pleasure to the community. You've no idea how many people stopped to take pictures — some even climbed our fence to pose beside him.' The scarecrow quickly became a local talking point, drawing admiration from passers-by throughout the village. But that admiration turned to outrage when the figure was stolen in the dead of night. She made a public appeal on Facebook following the theft and urging for Billy to be returned. The appeal read: "Well, it was only a scarecrow, but we were amazed at the amount of attention it was getting, which gave us pleasure, given the amount of time and effort to create 'Billy'. "However, about 10 minutes ago, some youngsters in a car pulled up and stole him. "Just in case anyone was wondering why he had disappeared from our fence across from the Winnock car park!" Pole where the scarecrow was taken from (Image: Louise Haggerty) READ MORE: TRNSMT food prices REVEALED including £15.50 pizza Though initially angry, Louise said she began to see the funny side — until the scarecrow's fate was discovered. Although the Gala Day had taken place the previous month, Louise had planned to keep Billy on display until the end of August due to the overwhelming interest. But the situation worsened just hours after she made a public appeal. Billy was found later that night, brutally destroyed and discarded. Louise revealed: 'He was found less than a mile away, completely dismembered. 'His wooden banjo had been flung about 100 yards from the body. His leggings were ripped, and his torso was torn in half. 'I can't help but wonder what the point was. It almost felt like a vendetta, but I think it was probably just some spur-of-the-moment stupidity.' The damage has left Louise feeling genuinely hurt. She shared: 'I just can't understand the mentality behind it. What kind of fun is that? It's just plain stupidity.' (Image: Louise Haggerty) READ MORE: 'How dare they': Lorraine Kelly hits out as iconic cult classic returns to TV screens Locals were quick to leap to Louise's defence on social media, expressing their anger and disappointment in the vandalism. One commenter wrote: 'Some people just make me sick. What benefit is there in stealing something like this?' Another added: 'Unbelievable… It was brilliant seeing him standing there.' A third said: 'That's ridiculous. Such a great scarecrow!'
The National
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Billy Connolly scarecrow stolen and 'dismembered'
The life-sized figure, created by Louise Haggerty for the Drymen Gala Day scarecrow competition, was snatched from her garden on Saturday night. The property is just a few hundred yards from where the legendary comedian once lived in the late 1970s. (Image: Louise Haggerty) This year's competition had a Hawaiian theme, prompting Louise and her partner John to recreate Connolly with his signature 'banana feet'. She said: 'Every year for the Gala Day, there's a scarecrow competition and this time we decided to make Billy with his banana feet. 'It brought so much joy and pleasure to the community. You've no idea how many people stopped to take pictures — some even climbed our fence to pose beside him.' The scarecrow quickly became a local talking point, drawing admiration from passers-by throughout the village. But that admiration turned to outrage when the figure was stolen in the dead of night. She made a public appeal on Facebook following the theft and urging for Billy to be returned. The appeal read: "Well, it was only a scarecrow, but we were amazed at the amount of attention it was getting, which gave us pleasure, given the amount of time and effort to create 'Billy'. "However, about 10 minutes ago, some youngsters in a car pulled up and stole him. "Just in case anyone was wondering why he had disappeared from our fence across from the Winnock car park!" Pole where the scarecrow was taken from (Image: Louise Haggerty) Though initially angry, Louise said she began to see the funny side — until the scarecrow's fate was discovered. Although the Gala Day had taken place the previous month, Louise had planned to keep Billy on display until the end of August due to the overwhelming interest. But the situation worsened just hours after she made a public appeal. Billy was found later that night, brutally destroyed and discarded. Louise revealed: 'He was found less than a mile away, completely dismembered. 'His wooden banjo had been flung about 100 yards from the body. His leggings were ripped, and his torso was torn in half. 'I can't help but wonder what the point was. It almost felt like a vendetta, but I think it was probably just some spur-of-the-moment stupidity.' The damage has left Louise feeling genuinely hurt. She shared: 'I just can't understand the mentality behind it. What kind of fun is that? It's just plain stupidity.' (Image: Louise Haggerty) Locals were quick to leap to Louise's defence on social media, expressing their anger and disappointment in the vandalism. One commenter wrote: 'Some people just make me sick. What benefit is there in stealing something like this?' Another added: 'Unbelievable… It was brilliant seeing him standing there.' A third said: 'That's ridiculous. Such a great scarecrow!'
Daily Record
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Tradition and ceremony packed into Dumfriesshire ROM
Annan's annual celebrations have kicked off with a bumper day ahead Halle Goodwin was crowned as Annan 's 76th Queen of the Border ... by her mum. Jade (nee: Macdonald) wore the iconic crown herself in 2003 and was thrilled to play a key role in the ceremony on the outdoor stage on the Dumfriesshire town's High Street on Friday. It was a key moment in the final countdown to Annan Riding of the Marches and Gala Day which takes place today, with thousands expected to flood into the town for the big day. Annan Riding of the Marches is hailed as one of the largest and oldest historic traditional ceremonies in South West Scotland – dating back almost 700 years – and the crowning of the Queen of the Border dates back to 1949 when Anne Weightman was the first. Halle, aged 14 and a pupil at Annan Academy said: 'It will be a privilege to represent my home town and follow in my mum's footsteps. I am also proud to be sharing this year with my little sister, Indie, who is a train bearer in the retinue. 'I am really looking forward to everything.' A member of the Annan Athletic U14 girls team and the Annandale and Eskdale U15 netball team, Halle is a long-time supporter of the ROM with her family and was the gift bearer in the royal retinue when she was a pupil at Newington Primary in 2017. It was an important evening too for her Champion, Dylan Ringland, who promised to defend her, and her retinue of lady in waiting Lily Kennedy; queen's attendants Joely Aitchison, Cassie Madden, Maddie Anderson; heralds, Merida Downie and Cadha Cole; crown bearer, Isla Nelson; gift bearer, Livvy Hawrylkiw; train bearers Shia-Rayne MacDonald and Indie Goodwin; and sceptre bearer, Jorgie Watret. Annan's civic dignitaries and representatives from various uniformed and youth organisations also pledged allegiance, including Cornet Hayden Hodgson, Cornet's Lass Kayleigh Murray and Standard Bearer Tracy Ireland – who lead today's Annan Riding of the Marches and Gala Day. There will be a gala parade, mini Highland Games, fun afternoon on Annan Academy playing field, and the evening Massed Pipe Bands. It will also be a day packed with traditions and ceremony with the checking of the royal burgh's boundaries on horseback, and a cavalcade of more than 100 horses and riders of all ages. There will also be chases at the Everholm. The ROM began at 5.30am this morning with Jamie Bryden performing the bugle call reveille ahead of the 7.45am handing over of the burgh standard and the start of the morning's boundary checking tradition. Brydekirk youngster, Brennan Sheridan, will be tasked with checking the boundary at Landhead in the historic Hole in the Hedge Ceremony. Meanwhile, judging for most humorous, most original, most artistic and most topical of the floats, small vehicles and walkers starts at Silverlaw at 11.30am – the same time as judging for the children's fancy dress entries at St Andrew's Social Club at Standalane. The big parade of public entries will leave at 12.30pm and the leading float will contain the newly-crowned Queen of the Border, and her royal retinue. With plenty of music, dancing and entertainment along the route – via Newington Road, Butts Street, Johnstone Street, Thomas Street, George Street – the parade will head to the Fish Cross to meet up with the returning Cornet and cavalcade of horses and then down the High Street for 1pm. It will be followed by an afternoon of entertainment at Annan Academy playing fields from 2pm – entry free with parents asked to donate £1 – which includes the Annan ROM mini Highland Games, which Newington Primary School's Lucy Mace will officially open after being chosen as the town's Mini Chieftain for the day. Each child will be given a free goody bag donated by Tesco Annan and Aldi. There will be the chance to forge a piece of history to go on the new Annan public art sculpture; demonstrations by the Firebird Flyball Club, Double Trouble and Fuzzy Seymour circus skills; Owl Magic, various stalls and amusements, plus music from bands Bjamba and Drum Nation. Tinkerbell and Princess will be there with Sandy and Amy from the Unicorn Experience. It will also host the biggest pipe band competition in south west Scotland with three grades, best juvenile band and drum major contests, as well as the Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway Branch Championships. A number of the bands from both sides of the border and beyond will take part in the massed pipe band presentation and closing ceremony on the High Street from 5.45pm.
Scotsman
14-06-2025
- Climate
- Scotsman
Organisers cancel Leith Festival gala day due to ‘dangerous thunder and lightning'
Leith Festival organisers have been forced to cancel one of its flagship events 'due to appalling weather and dangerous thunder and lightning'. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Gala Day, which was scheduled to run from 10am to 5pm at Leith Links on Saturday (June 14), included live music, a range of activities and local trader stalls and its 'ever popular dog show'. But after hours of 'appalling weather' staff made the difficult decision to close the event due to safety reasons. The annual event, which dates back to 1907, will run until next Sunday, with festival highlights including the Community Tattoo on June 22 between 2pm and 4pm. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Writing on social media, organisers said: 'Due to appalling weather and dangerous thunder and lightning. For safety reasons we are closing the gala day event. This was not an easy decision.' They added: 'We did try persevere but today the weather was not on our side. Thanks to all traders and public that braced the weather.' Reacting to the news, one resident said: 'Such a shame but safety must come first. Well done to everyone today for trying to make it happen' whilst another added: 'Really feel for you. Know how much work you put into organising the event.' Leith councillor, Katrina Faccenda, added: 'So sorry for all of you who I know put so much work into organising this event. Thank you for all of your hard work for Leith and looking forward to next week's Tattoo. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But Taylors Funfair, which is also located at Leith Links, is still scheduled to remain open until 9pm tonight. Providing an update, funfair organisers said: 'Despite the heavy rain this morning, Taylor's of Edinburgh Funfair is OPEN and ready to welcome you! 'While the Leith Gala may be cancelled, we're here for the people of Edinburgh - bringing the joy, the lights, and the laughter, no matter the weather. The skies are already looking brighter, and so is the spirit of our amazing city. Come along, support your local funfair, and let's make magical memories together!'
