Residents turn out in the sun for 2024 Rainhill Gala

On offer at the event held on Monday, May 27, was a host of attractions including a kiddies funfair, over 40 stalls, a variety of food from local food outlets and our beer tent run by Rainhill Rotary Club.

For the second year in a row, the Gala organised a transport festival in the village centre which this year had over 50 exhibits including motorbikes, cars, trucks, scooters, military and emergency vehicles, some of which were running the free park and ride service.

Rainhill Gala

Steve Clarke, chair of The Rainhill Gala said: “What an amazing turnout, even though the weather forecast had been unsettled for days, the community came out and supported us and helped us to make the event what it is. 

"This year we wanted to make sure that there was lots to do for all the family with no cost so in addition to the usual attractions, including a fun packed arena, we put on circus skills, giant lawn games, a field of bubbles, characters including Stitch, Bumblebee, Bobby Helmet and Boots (thanks to the Saints Foundation), stilt walkers and of course the transport festival. 

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"By keeping the entry fee at £1 for adults and free for kids, this meant people across our community could come along as a family and be entertained all day for a couple of quid.”

Rainhill Gala

The Transport Festival was the brainchild of Alastair Oldfield who, in conjunction with other groups in the village, want to celebrate Rainhill’s transport heritage and also help to build up to the celebrations in 2029 when the 200th anniversary of the Rainhill Trials will be held. 

Alastair added: “This is our second year of organising this event, we had a great variety of exhibits this year which not only entertained people but also brought more people into the village. 

Rainhill Gala

"In turn this also impacted the local economy as people then went on into the pubs, bars and restaurants in the area, that’s what we’re all about, doing something positive in our community which benefits as many people as possible.”

Rainhill Gala

The Gala is run entirely by volunteers and since the first event in 2007, has awarded in the region of £80,000 to local good causes and charities in the area, however good causes are encouraged to use the event as a platform for fundraising and promoting themselves in the community therefore the figure raised by local good causes is many times that figure. 

Rainhill Gala

In 2023, £8,000 was raised and distributed, the major beneficiary from the event is Willowbrook Hospice who, combined with their own fundraising on the day, raised over £5,200 last year.