Meet the 90-year-old who has run her village gala for 50 years
Half a century ago, hundreds of towns and villages across Yorkshire enjoyed a village gala each year, complete with a queen and her attendants, milk floats and all the fun of the fair.
The tradition has sadly died out in many parts of the region, but Sherburn-in-Elmet’s is going strong and has always been something a little bit special, thanks in no small part to the remarkable woman who has organised it for 50 years.
Alma Hodgson, born in the village near Tadcaster and lived there all her life, has just celebrated her 90th birthday. She could be forgiven for wanting to pass on the baton – but that’s not Alma’s style.
And as preparations reach their final stages for this year’s Golden Gala on May 16, she’s as busy as ever alongside her team of volunteers. But there’s still time to reflect on the differences between running the gala in 1976 and today.
Mrs Hodgson said: “I was running the Brownies in 1976, and it was decided by the late Charlie Lund that we’d do a festival for the village to raise money for the church. I went to the very first meeting - and I’m still here.
“That first gala was not as big as the ones today – it was full of tractors and trailers. We made £1000 and thought we’d done wonderfully. It was fine weather going round the parade, and then it started to rain. The chairperson sent everyone home to have a bath and cup of tea, and then come back at 3pm – and then the sun came out.
“It doesn’t feel like 50 years ago, and it’s changed so much with rules and regulations. It’s a lot of hard work now. So many forms to fill in and road closures – whereas before, everyone just knew gala day was coming and that was it.”
The ingredients of the gala have stayed roughly the same: a selection of themed floats parading through the village showcasing different community groups, followed by a fairground festival.
And a traditional gala queen is found from pupils at Sherburn High School. All former queens have been invited to this year’s 50th anniversary, and villagers launched a campaign on social media for Alma to be crowned this year.
But it was politely declined. “I said no,” said Mrs Hodgson. “I won’t have time! I don’t fancy putting my feet up. I’ve lost my husband, my mum and my sister – but my sons Mark and Stephen have always been there for me. They’re there for everything I need.”
And it wasn’t just family but the whole village who helped Alma celebrate her recent 90th birthday.
A surprise gathering was held at The Red Bear pub, while a video was made showing hundreds of villagers wishing her many happy returns. “It was a shock,” said Mrs Hodgson. “I didn’t want a fuss, just some help from the family to clean my garage out.
“I thought it was just going to be family. Then the gala volunteers turned up, committee member Sue came down from her holiday in Scotland, I couldn’t get over it. And the one that surprised me the most was a young man who knocked on my door. He was stood with a big bowl of roses, and a card, they were beautiful. And I said ‘who are you?’
“And he said, ‘I’m the ice cream man!’ He comes to the gala every year. I was gobsmacked.”