EAST Renfrewshire council bosses were in talks 10 years ago, trying to put together a package to save Barrhead Gala Day.

Kind-hearted council chiefs were trying to figure out if they had some extra cash to help the gala get back to its best.

The News reported that next 2009’s gala had been cancelled due to a lack of volunteers and funding.

The management committee made the difficult decision NOT to hold the gala day in 2009 but hoped that by 2010 the gala would be back.

A spokeswoman for the committee said: “We have reached this decision with heavy hearts.

“For the past five years it has been the same people organising the gala day and a lot of work goes into it.

“The months of work required to stage a successful gala day are a significant commitment, and each May becomes a period where nothing but gala work is done.

“We want to emphasise that this is a break, and not a permanent cancellation.

“We intend for the Barrhead Gala to return in 2010 which is also the centenary year of Cowan Park. We plan to return and create the best gala day in decades.”

The gala day was established back in 1973 and was known to attract anywhere from 2,000 to 5,000 visitors depending on the weather.

Deborah Waters, wife of chairman Vincent Waters and organiser in her own right, said: “We chatted about the decision to call it off this year. There was little to no response to the plea for more volunteers. We are going to take a break and get ready for the next year’s gala and the centenary year of Cowan Park next year. It is just a case of taking a break for now, as it is just a cancellation for this year only.”

A spokesman for East Renfrewshire Council said: “We are currently in talks to check if East Renfrewshire council can spare some money to help out next year’s Barrhead Gala day. A final decision is still to be reached.”