Clydesdale horses which won first prize in the horses section of Govan Fair’s 250th Parade, are on a winning run. Owned by Willie Combe whose waste management and recycling contractors business is based in Uddingston, the horses won 3rd place in the prestigious Royal Highland Show a few days later, 3rd place at the Great Yorkshire Show, 2nd and 3rd and 5th and 7th places at the Kittochside Show and a filly was reserve champion at the Newark show.

Said Dorothy Paterson who drove one of the W.R. Combe gigs in the Govan Fair Parade, ‘Willie has always had an interest in Clydesdale horses since he looked after them as a boy because his father was a coal merchant in Glasgow and the horses pulled the coal wagons.’ He now has 14 in a specially built equine ‘Hilton’.

The horse ‘Ted’ that pulled Dorothy’s gig, was brought out of lonely retirement to compete in such events again. ‘He loves it. As soon as the head collar goes on, he wants to get going,’ commented Dorothy. Tom Brewster of Heavy Horse Supplies drove the brewer’s dray which is nearly 100 years old and 16-year-old Melissa Kennedy drove the other gig from W R Combe’s stable.

Other first places in the Govan Fair Parade went to: Greenfield Primary School, Sharon Breen School of Dancing, Gold Stars Cheerleaders, Asda, Hope Project, Lintie Stompers, Theatre Modo and Greater Govan Mobile Creche. St Anthony’s won the schools’ football tournament with St Saviour’s being runners-up. Kinning Park Nursing Home won the Caring Cup.

Said Dorothy Courtney, Chairperson of Govan Fair Association which awards the ‘best in parade’ prizes at a social event after the Fair, ‘Everything went wonderfully well for the 250th Govan Fair.

The weather was great and local support from businesses and people was excellent. We hope to repeat this next year and welcome anyone who’d like to join the Association now to help us prepare for it.’ Dot can be contacted at her hairdressing business, Dot’s Spot, at Langlands Road or by phone on 0141 445 2831.