Proposed Children's Gala Day for Newtongrange &.
District
10 May 1923
A Public Meeting will be held in the Lothian Hall, Newtongrange on Monday May 14th at 6pm. If the public is sympathetic to the idea, the necessary Officials could be appointed at the meeting to undertake the work incidental to running the Gala. A large attendance is earnestly requested.
James Smith, Int. Sec.
Newtongrange &. District Children's Gala Day
2 August 1923
Bright sunshine favoured the Newtongrange and District Children's Gala Day, which was celebrated on Friday last at Newtongrange. The ceremony of crowning Emma Quinto, the dux girl of school for 1922-23 was carried out at the Square Park. The children were formed in ten divisions making three sides of a square and a platform was erected in the centre of the park. Miss Quinto arrived at 11.45am and immediately left her car, attended by four ladies-in-waiting and two tiny train bearers. George Thomson, as Dux Boy, followed in the rear as Crown Bearer. The party walked gracefully on to the platform, the Band meanwhile playing the 'Coronation March' amidst great cheering. Miss Quinto was attired in a beautiful white silk dress, with trains of royal blue silk, trimmed with white.
Mr Walker, President, a member of Midlothian Education Authority, opened the proceedings with a short address and explained that they had created on this occasion a precedent in Newbattle Parish by crowning the dux girls of the public school. He also quoted the percentage attained by the pupils attending the school as being the highest under the Authority and equal to that of any primary school in Scotland. He thought great credit was due to Mr William Fowler, Headmaster, and his staff of teachers. Mr Walker proceeded to emphasise the importance of co-operation between the teacher, the pupil and the parents, which had its reflex in the standard of efficiency of the pupil. In closing, Mr Walker held that education was the one thing possible to stop unrest and discontent and instead of barbaric methods being adopted during disputes, these could be settled in a humane and intelligent manner through the medium of an educated nation.
George Thomson, Dux Boy, then handed the crown to Miss Armitstead, one of the teachers of the school, who crowned Miss Quinto as Queen of Newbattle Parish, the ceremony being greeted with great applause by the large gathering present. The crown, which was of artistic design, was given as a donation by Mr. McDonald of Newbattle Gardens. Mr. Fowler, in presenting the Queen with a pearl necklace, the gift of an anonymous donor, congratulated Miss Quinto on her success and paid homage on the first Queen of Newbattle Parish, this part of the proceedings being also greeted with a round of applause. In a few well chosen words George Thomson then presented the Queen with a bouquet of flowers. Mr. Walker, in presenting a bouquet of flowers to Miss Armitstead, spoke of her great ability as a teacher, and said she had gained the respect of the whole community. Mr. Fowler presented the ladies-in-waiting and the two page boys with boxes of chocolates while George Thomson received a handsome pocket book as a souvenir of the occasion.
Arrangements were thereafter made to march to Newbattle Home Farm Park, adjoining Roan's Dykes, kindly granted by Mr. Thomas Spears. The procession, 1,700 strong, under the supervision of Mr. Fowler and ably assisted by teachers and committee, was led by the Lothian Silver Prize Band and proceeded on its way amid the cheers of parents and other onlookers. The children were much admired, their cleanliness and neatness reflecting great credit on the mothers, while their discipline was perfect. In the beautiful sunshine the whole scene was at once picturesque and impressive. The Queen occupied a position in the middle of the procession, and two pipers, followed by Miss Law and her troupe of dancers, came behind the royal carriage, the skirl of the pipes carrying to the rear of the procession and keeping the children in step.
On arrival at the Park the different divisions lined up in sections. The sports convenor, Mr. Thomas Wilson, ably assisted by his committee, superintended the carrying through of a few events. At 3 o'clock the children, responding to a pre-arranged signal by Mr. Fowler, were quickly in their places, ready to be catered for. Each child, from 2 years upwards, received a hot pie, a well-filled bag of cakes and a plentiful supply of milk .The arrangements were in the hands of Mr Jas. Smith and were carried through with marked success. A splendid programme of sports was thereafter proceeded with, the sports committee receiving valuable assistance from the teachers.
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Dalkeith Advertiser
27 September 1923
Gala Day Committe - The final meeting of Newtongrange and District Gala Day Committee was held in The Lothian Hall on Monday.
Councillor Walker presiding over a good attendance. Mr. John Morris, Treasurer, submitted the financial statement, audited and found correct, showing an income of £86 13s 7d, and an expenditure of £77 12s 7d. leaving a balance of £9 1s to be carried forward to next year.
The President expressed the opinion that the report was very satisfactory. On the motion of The Chairman a vote of thanks was accorded the collectors and others whose assistance had made the day a huge success. The meeting terminated by Councillor Rutherford, on behalf of Committe, moving a vote of thanks to the Executive for the capable manner in which the arrangements had been carried through.
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