CROSSGATES Gala should have been this coming Saturday, July 4, but unfortunately the coronavirus crisis put an end to that hope.

However, the village gala committee was determined that the children, who had been so looking forward to their fun day, should not miss out totally.

So on Monday night they hit the streets and ensured that every youngster was able to get their gala bag of goodies.

After a pretty bright day the weather changed and became a little showery and dull, but it did not stop the youngsters coming out to meet Hercules the Bear, driving the tractor and his team, who were distributing the bags to the kids in their gardens.

Said the gala committee's Laura Wheatley:" Things went pretty well, although the weather was a bit wet initially but brightened up as we went round.

"It was great to see lots of smiling children and adults waving from windows and front doors and we were able to see 300 bags distributed."

Laura added: "We to thank the Coalfield Regeneration Trust for funding the project, and we had great support from the Munch Box and Robert's shop at Mossgreen, in sourcing the items for the bag.

"Also Ionela, at Divitos, was brilliant for being prepared to serve 300 cones to the village kids over the next few days.

"And of course where would we have been without our tractor driver, Hercules the Bear, aka Duncan, who made it possible to transport the bags around the village as well as bringing some music and fun to the evening.

"We are so fortunate to have the support of the village and it was great to be able to offer something after the disappointment of the gala being cancelled.

"We now look forward to a year of fundraising and a hopefully a gala to remember in 2021. Get it in your diary, the first Saturday of July 2021! "