To avoid the near tragedy of cancelling the Govan Fair, the Association which runs it is now in the process of becoming a charity.

The 251-year- old traditional procession was within a whisker of being cancelled in June because expected funding had not come forward. With advice from various agencies, the Govan Fair Association is now in the process of writing a funding application and submitting it this month, to make sure it will be in good time to prevent people having heart attacks next June.

Despite the drama, this year’s  Govan Fair was highly successful.

The sun was shining on the first Friday in June when the Govan Fair crowning ceremony was held in Elder Park.

Dot Courtney, Chairperson of the Fair Committee, opened with a speech thanking and praising the outgoing Queen, Lisa Carrigan, and her maids and attendants, before bidding them farewell.

Also sitting at the top table were dignitaries and elected representatives including Nicola Sturgeon the newly elected Govan MSP. She said, ‘After waiting for eight years I have finally made it here as your MSP. It feels wonderful and I feel privileged to be here.’

Crowning the current Queen, Tee Jay Tinney from Drumoyne Primary, was actor Iain Robertson of Sea of Souls and Small Faces. Iain, who was born and brought up in Govan, said, ‘It’s great to be back here in my home town. I am extremely honoured to crown the queen.’

Once the maids Sarah Jane Wilson and Caitlin Daly and the attendants Kieran Young and Joshua Carmichael, all from Drumoyne Primary school, were formally ushered in, they made their way to the start of procession.

Around 36 groups and organisations had floats and 500 people took part in the march. Leading the procession was Govan Councillor, Stephen Dornan who was the Sheep’s Heid Bearer for the 17th year in a row.

Behind him were two mounted policemen, Strathclyde Police Pipe Band and then the Govan Queen in a horse and carriage.

Local residents came out in force to see the event which has been held for 251 years in a row. Kenny Kerr, Vice Chair of the Fair Association said, ‘It has been another great success. The number of people who turned up and had an excellent time proves that. The really hot weather was also great.’