The Regeneration Team manages and distributes the Gala and Similar Annual Events Fund to groups who organise a Gala Day or similar annual community event during the Gala period.
News
- The Gala and Similar Annual Events Fund for 2025 is now closed.
General
The Gala and Similar Annual Events fund is be allocated to organisations that provide a Gala Day or similar traditional style annual community event for residents in West Lothian.
In 2024, a total of £40,000 was awarded to to 28 groups
You can apply for funding from the Gala and Similar Annual Events Fund if you meet the following criteria:
You are a constituted gala committee or other organisation
Your organisation has a bank account in the name of the organisation
Your organisation and your gala or event has a link with a town, village or locality in West Lothian
Your organisation is set up specifically for, or has provision in its constitution, to provide an event for the benefit of the local community.
Applications to the fund must be for the provision of a gala or similar annual event that will take place during the gala/festival season, May to September, in any given year.
The Fund for 2025/26 is now closed.
A copy of the guidance can be found below for reference, please be aware this guidance may change.
Your gala or other event needs to be insured. If your group is a gala committee you will be contacted by Zurich Insurance in connection with the provision of Public Liability Insurance which is provided and paid for by West Lothian Council. If you have any questions please contact regenerationteam@westlothian.gov.uk (opens new window) and we will pass your enquiry onto the relevant council officer.
If you are organising a gala or other similar event you may need a licence or permission, such as a public entertainment licence or permission to hold a parade or procession. Please visit the council's Entertainment Licences and Permissions web page. for more information
The Health and Safety Executive have developed and published a guide for voluntary groups that put on public events i.e. galas. It is called "Guidance On Running Events Safely" and you can open it here http://www.hse.gov.uk/event-safety/ (opens new window)
Emergency Services
For the purposes of Health and Safety you must consult with and inform the emergency services that you are holding either a gala or other event. You must also provide first aid cover for your event, no matter how large or small. For your convenience I have attached the links to the various emergency service and first aid web sites below.
