My mum stood in the kitchen and pressed my Jodhurs, my shirt and my tie for me to wear in the morning. I would only need my high school blazer because, according to the weather forecast, it was going to be very sunny and warm. My mum made me go to my bed early because I had to get up at 7.30am in the morning.
In the morning, I jumped out of bed when the alarm clock went and ran down the stairs where my mum was standing making my breakfast. Jennifer started jabbering on, all excited. Her mum got her to sit down and eat her breakfast. Once she was finished her hum told her to go back up the stairs and get washed and dressed. When she came down the stairs again her mum said she looked so smart.
When Lorraine got to their house, they both walked along to the field where the horses were kept. Mrs Dunn and the rest of the girls were just arriving as well. They started making up the horses’ feed. They fed the horses and gave them fresh water. While the horses were taking their feed, the girls polished the tack for the horses and ponies that were going to be ridden that day. They brought ponies as well because there were going to be a lot of small children. Then the girls put the shiny tackle on the horses.
Mrs Dunn then tells each girl who is walking and who is riding down the road. The two horses and two ponies set off down the street to meet the parade. They meet the floats and the Gala Maid at the park. The floats, decorated by the Scouts, Brownies, Girls Brigade and one of the nurseries, are breathtaking. The Gala Maid steps onto her eye-catching throne. The bagpipes lead the parade, then the Gala Maid. The floats, horses and ponies take up the rear. They walk through Bishopbriggs from their Cross to their swimming baths. When everybody gets to the fields opposite the swimming baths the Gala Day is opened and the Gala Maid is crowned.
Families are wandering from stall to stall admiring their goods and eating hot dogs and burgers. There are also children jumping on a bouncy castle. The girls and Mrs Dunn start to help children on and off the horses. The smaller children are getting very worked up. Their parents are trying to keep them calm by holding on to them tightly, so they feel more secure. The older children are laughing and feeding the horses with Polos and sugar lumps.
At the end of the day, once everybody goes home, the girls walk the horses and ponies up the road. Take their tack off, let them out into the field and give them all fresh water and feed until tomorrow.