Queen Barbara at Newtongrange Gala Day
July 1929
The Square Park was the scene of much activity for an hour or so on Saturday afternoon. There were flags and bunting to be seen, music played and the cheers of the children assembled carried over the top of the houses in the vicinity, and resounded in the country roads lanes. It was Newtongrange and District Children's Gala Day and the occasion at the Square Park was the Crowning of the Queen. She was Barbara E.G.Smith, Dux Girl of Newbattle School. Mrs Isabella Haldane, Saugh Cottages performed the crowning ceremony. Newtongrange Silver Band was in attendance, as was also the Gorebridge and Arniston Band and the weather conditions were fittingly ideal. A great cheer rent the air when Her Majesty arrived. To the strains of intriguing music the Chief Maid of Honour, Agnes Scott conducted the various members of the Court to their places on the platform.
The Court was as follows:
Queen - Barbara E.G.Smith;
Chief Maid of Honour - Agnes Scott;
Maids of Honour - Jemima Armitstead, Agnes Bishop, Jane Cunningham,
Jeanie Robertson;
Herald - Archibald Clark;
Crown Bearer - David Pry
Sceptre Bearer - Lewis Morrison;
Pages - David Tracy, David Gilroy.
Queen Mother - Mrs Isabella McGuire,
To present bouquet - Elizabeth Allen.
Mr. J.Rutherford, JP, a member of Midlothian Education Authority, presided and was accompanied by Mrs Haldane and Mrs Isabella McGuire, Convenor of the Queen's Committee. Mr. Rutherford said that they had met there that day to celebrate their eighth annual children's gala day. He rejoiced at the gala day not only from the standpoint of recreation for the children, but because of the impetus it had provided to the young folks in their schoolwork. All were now striving to occupy the exalted position in which were the pupils composing the Court, and it was, highly gratifying to know that those pupils occupied their honourable positions through merit and service during the session just ended. But he would take the opportunity of reminding both children and parents of the great necessity for more and more education. While they congratulated Mr.Fowler and Mr. Lamb and their respective staffs, they could congratulate themselves on having schools at Newbattle, which were second to none in the Midlothian school area. He would urge upon parents the desirability of taking greater advantage of the facilities that were now at their disposal. They should keep in remembrance, too, the fact that one's education as gradual from the infant department right on to the University. If Britain was to continue to occupy its leading position among the countries of the world they must see to it that every child was provided with an opportunity of the best education that the country could give. They had also to ensure that such facilities were fully taken advantage of.
The usual ceremonials having been carried through, Mrs Haldane proceeded to crown the Queen, the completion of which was greeted with resounding cheers by her loyal subjects. Mrs Haldane received the Queen's bouquet as a mark of royal favour. The picture was indeed a pretty one. The platform was tastefully decorated, the background was draped in helio, white and old gold and large carpets were laid in the area of the throne. The Queen played her part as to the manner born, and she was supported by a court that did the utmost justice to Her Majesty. Comment has been made lately on the clever fashion in which the Heralds at various crowning ceremonies in the Midlothian area carried out their duties. In practically every instance they spoke in resounding tones, and with distinct enunciation. This high reputation was fully maintained by the Herald, Lewis Morrison, at Newtongrange on Saturday.
Mrs Haldane fitted a pearl necklace on the Queen and presented
a silver bag to the girl who handed over the royal bouquet. Mr. Fowler was
called upon by the chairman. He said he had great pleasure to present tokens
of merit to the Dux Boy and Girl of the school. These tokens took the form
of gold wristlet watches. They were awards for merit and he hoped the winners
would always bear in mind in future that the honour of the school rested upon
them. Concluding he hoped that both the recipients would rise to the top .The
Dux of the school was Lewis Morrison and the Dux Girl was the Queen, Barbara
E.G.Smith.