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There was great fun for all the family down at the Sandbraes as Whiting Bay held their annual Fun Day on Saturday July 21.
The day started off with the putting competition at 9am but the entertainment really got under way when the field opened up at 2pm.
Dotted around the ground were a selection of stalls selling burgers and ice cream and in the corner the tea tent drew the crowds in. There was also a tombola, lucky dip and beat the goalie.
All the money raised goes towards the Whiting Bay Improvements Committee to help make improvements in the village.
Ian Struthers was there with his birds of prey. Star of the show was five-year-old Wa-Wa, a beautiful big Eurasian Eagle owl. The Arran Highland Dancers entertained the crowd from the stage in the middle of the field. Sophie Marriott the new bay Queen managed to take part before she went to change into her formal dress.
The Arran Bike Club took part for the first time by demonstrating their mountain bike skills. People were invited to try and take the bike through a course designed to test control and balance.
In the middle of the field the talented Arran Pipe Band provided background music for the event.
The dog show is always a crowd pleaser and there was a huge number of entrants.
Despite a bit of traffic jam that delayed her entrance, the new Bay Queen Sophie Marriott finally appeared on the field for her crowning.
The former queen Amy Wedge said: ‘I’d like to thank everyone for making this a very special year for me and I am sure that Sophie will have just as much fun as I did.’
A large crowd watched Wullie Stevenson with his dogs and ducks.
His two sheepdogs Arran Mist and Nell were heavily in pup so the demonstration was not as long as usual.
He uses Indian Runner ducks because of their herding instincts. They stay together and don’t tend to split up like other ducks do.
Nell showed that she is a very clever working dog as she herded the ducks around an obstacle course that included going down a slide into a pool of water at the bottom. Murray’s Scurry is always very popular. Murray Boal set up the event 10 years ago. Using an elaborate contraption made from a bike wheel and pedals, two dogs chase a stuffed rat along the grass. The first dog to get the rat in its mouth wins.
In the past there has always been entertainment at night but it did not take place this year because of a variety of reasons. ‘Three in the park’ usually involves three or more bands performing live from the back of two articulated lorries.
This year the organisers found it increasingly difficult to book live bands and there were also concerns about under age drinking. However, the organizers are hoping to resume the night-time entertainment again next year.
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