2006

King - James Docherty
Queen - Jade Wilson
King's Escort - Shaun Robert Currie
Queen's Escort - Jaqueline Hay
Herald - Brad Williams
Royal Protector - Steven Aitken
Crown & Sceptre - Craig Bonar, Colin Pow
Lords Of The Court - David Burdett, Dale McGrath
Ladies Of The Court - Nicole Ormiston, Rebecca Dee Melvin, Chloe Smith, Ashley McGrath
Cushion Bearers - Corey Galloway, Thomas Sneddon
Bower Girls - Jemma Henderson, Shelley Wright, Lisa McGrath, Stephanie L. Trower
Halberdiers - Kevin Blackhurst, Alex MacIntosh, Liam Thompson, Andrew Blair
Train Bearers - Lucy Sanderson, Gemma Nelson, Lynn Hay, Heather Fyfe, Elle Davis, Lauren Burnett
Page Boys - Douglas Dubickas, Connor Byrn, Nathan Forrest, Stewart Duncan, Grant Nelson, Grant Turner, Jordan Hunter, Ross Gemmell, Jake Donaldson,
Sean Callaghan, Morgan Wylie, John Kidd, James Melvin, Sean Houston, David A. More, Brian Begg, Jason Aitken
Flower Girls - Rachel Meikle, Abby Melon, Amy McGrath, Lucy Phillip, Jasmine Underwood, Emma Hopkin, Melissa Hall, Samantha Calder, Shannon Young, Holly Docherty, Sharon Fraser Wilson, Abigail Suttie, Emma Jane Findlay, Rachel Melville, Courtney Laidlaw, Jenna Milne, Chelsey Statylowicz.

Chairman's Message

Welcome once again to all who return year after year to The Newtongrange Children's Gala
Unfortunately I will be losing a few good committee members this year, John & Jane Tod are moving from the village for pastures new. Carol Bryn and Mary Robb have left to concentrate on a new project in the village, Jillian Adams and Lynne Meikle have left due to family commitments. I wish them all the best for the future.
The committee are still committed to putting on the biggest and brightest gala in Midlothian and this would not be possible without all involved on the committee giving up a fantastic amount of time and effort throughout the year.
However the Children's Gala would still not be possible if it were not for the help and assistance of the local people and businesses of Newtongrange through fundraising and contributions and Midlothian Council who supply much of the equipment and manpower used in Gala Week.
I give a big thank you to all these and everyone else who helps behind the scenes to make The Newtongrange Children's Gala possible.
Finally I hope the weather is once again good to us and that everyone in the village, especially the children make this a day to remember.

Fancy Dress Parade Winners

Under 5's - 1st, Melissa Shearer. 2nd, Mark Drummond.
6 to 11's -1st, Melissa Hall. 2nd, Kevin Clark.
12 to 16's - 1st, Alexander Carr. 2nd, Darren Archibald
17 & over - 1st, Jean Morton. 2nd, Margaret Conlon.
Groups - 1st, Shannon,Warren, Allan, John & Connor Byrn. 2nd, Gordon & Lisa Burnett, Andrew Sharp & Jane Reid
Bikes & Prams -1st, Ewan Russell. 2nd, Georgie Williams.
Archie Neilson Trophy - Kevin Clark.

--ooOOoo--

The Editor
The Advertiser,
High Street
Dalkeith
Newtongrange Children’s Gala Committee would like to give thanks through your column to everyone who made this years Gala Week possible. Newtongrange park was full of children and adults last Saturday having endless amounts of fun at all the attractions. Special thanks must go to local businesses who have given sponsorship, and to all who have donated through our fundraising events and collections.
We must thank the Court Selection Committee who get things started every year contacting parents through schools and the library and issuing forms for completion. This is a very small committee of people who work hard organising the selection of court members then pass on the selected names and positions to us, the Newtongrange Gala Committee.
Thanks to all who made a tremendous effort at the Fancy Dress. Our parade was great fun and we couldn’t have done it without all the kids in their brilliant outfits.
The Morris Club let us use their hall once again, for our Ceilidh night and all of the older residents had their special night of music, bingo and stovies. Thanks to every one who attended and all who donated food and raffle prizes.
Thanks to all the staff at Newtongrange Leisure Centre for their help and patience during Gala Rehearsals and also the Kids Disco during Gala Week.
The Dean Tavern was the venue on Wednesday with Gary Copeland from The Singing Kettle, a big thank you to them.
Thursday nights treasure hunt in the park was a great success with around 200 people participating.
The day itself would not be possible without the help of many people, some of them in the park from 6.30am getting things prepared, we really appreciate this.
Thanks to Midlothian Council and their workers who help set up in the park. Our thanks also to Newtongrange Silver Band who provided the music on both Gala Day and The Friday Night Dress Rehearsal.
Newtongrange Squadron of the ATC help us in many ways on Gala week from serving the older residents with their food at the Ceilidh night to leading our parade on Gala Day, our thanks to them.
Our parade was wonderful this year with floats and marching bands along with the traditional decorated cars. Donna O’Raw and Helen Begbie put a huge effort into the parade each year by recruiting their friends and family as drivers in the parade. A huge thank you to them and all the drivers who not only drove in the parade but decorated their cars wonderfully. Thanks to Mr & Mrs Allan of the Allan’s Group for their sponsorship and help during Gala week and Gala Day in the parade and park.
In our main Arena during Gala Day we had a very varied host of entertainment. The caterers in the VIP tent did a splendid job and thanks also to the community Council in the tea tent. The ladies distributing the Gala Bags do a great job and return each year to help us.
The Kirking Service last Sunday morning was lovely for both parents and children and we would thank Rev Monika Walker for her lovely service and enthusiasm towards the Gala Day.
The beautiful flowers for the court were supplied by Bryans Farm Flower shop and for this we are grateful and thank all staff there.
Last but not least we would like to thank the people of Newtongrange for their colourful efforts at making the streets brighter during the Gala and for attending our events, and also the children for coming along and enjoying themselves, that is what makes it all worth while. A big thank you also to Councillor Wilma Chalmers for her continued support.
We are quite a large and hard working Gala Committee but we are always willing to welcome new members or even helpers who can perhaps help out on the big day or at fundraising events throughout the year. Our AGM is in September and the date will be published in this newspaper nearer the time, please feel free to attend and air your views and suggestions about Gala Day.
Thanks again to every one involved.
From Newtongrange Gala Committee

--ooOOoo--

Annual General Meeting
Newtongrange Gala Committee
Thursday 7th September at 7.00pm
Dean Tavern

Present
John Turnbull, Billy Colon Jnr, Lorraine White, Wilma Chalmers, Susan Johnston, Susan Meaney, Carol Byrn, Margaret Conlon, Willma Ramage Jacky Turnbull, Don Innes, Cathrin Innes, PC Alan Forbes.

Apologies

Jean Morton, Dallas Wilson, Billy Conlon Snr, Bob Ballantine, Jim Green, George Cummings.

Minutes

Previous minutes approved by Margaret Conlon and seconded by Carol Byrn.

John Turnbull opened the meeting and thanked everyone for coming, and thanked the Committee for all their hard work and support on his first year as chairman.  He also thanked MDC for their continued support especially John Watson and his staff, local business and sponsors.

Matters Arising

Cllr. Wilma Chalmers pointed out that the cost and erection of the Jeanette Stewart Memorial was thanks to Newtongrange Community Council, Newtongrange Gala Committee and Midlothian District Council.

At this point John Turnbull handed the meeting over to Cllr. Wilma Chalmers.

Appointments

Chairman John Turnbull
Vice Chairperson   Carol Byrn
Secretary Lorraine White
Treasurer Billy Conlon Snr
Court Convener  Susan Meaney
Court Convener  Susan Johnston
Court Selection Committee  Kath & Don Innes

At this point Cllr. Wilma Chalmers handed the meeting back to John Turnbull.

Correspondence

PC Alan Forbes who is the community policeman said that he and his colleagues had had a good day, as there were no problems within the park due to proactive action by local officers and Gala Committee leading up to the Galaday which entailed correspondence by Gala Committee to licensed premises within the village and the follow up visit by local officers.  PC Forbes also commented that they had positive feedback from the public as they felt their presence was not intrusive but commanding.  He also thanked the Gala Committee for their co-operation and hospitality.

Cllr Wilma Chalmers thanked the Committee and the Chairman for doing a great job of organizing the galaday.  She also said the police officers present were fantastic in the way they handled the whole event.  Wilma also said that the drinking ban should be in place by the 2007 galaday.

The Chairman read out the resignation letters from John & Jane Tod and David & Brenda Hally.  Letters of appreciation will be sent to both.

The report from the Community Council revealed that they raised £380.00 from their tea stall and expressed thanks to the Gala Committee.

The Star-A Football Club raised £440 and expressed thanks to the Gala Committee.

Christmas Party

The Christmas Party will be held in the Stars Club on 22nd December 2006.

Susan Meaney will book Kenny Quinn for the disco and the 2 gala dates for next year.

Treasurers Report.

Billy Conlon Jnr presented an adequate report of the books for this financial year.

A.O.B

The Chairman explained that as we are now covered by Disclosure Scotland, anyone wanting to join the Committee will be checked by this organization.

The Treasurer has stated that various companies who supply a great deal of service and take no reimbursement should put monetary value on donation and be given a receipt for tax purposes.

Date of Next Galaday

9th June 2007.

Date of Next Meeting

Thursday 26th October 2006 in the Dean Tavern 7.30pm.

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