Newbattle Children's Day
July 1931
One of the red-letter days in the life of the community at Newtongrange is the annual gala day for the children of the village and district, this year's event being held on Saturday. The first note of the visitor in time to see the procession was one of hearty congratulation on the delightful weather conditions prevailing as the children, headed by Dalkeith Burgh Band, marched in processional order to Victoria Park, the ground of the Newtongrange Star FC. The route included the beautiful Public Park and it was here that the spectator saw the procession at its best. To view it from the roadway or near to the principal entrance gate was to see as pretty a sight as one could imagine. It was a colourful scene, with the children all looking their best and banners and flags being carried aloft in the sunshine. The Court was accommodated in no fewer than five carriages, that containing the Queen being an open one. Arniston Pipe Band followed immediately. The procession proceeded by way of Main Street and Murderdean Road.
The Court was:
Queen - Betty M.T.Arundel;
Chief Maid of Honour - Jessie Nelson;
Maids of Honour - Jane Holgate, Elizabeth Affleck, Elizabeth
Bishop, Violet Mitchell. Herald, John C.Lockhart;
Crown Bearer - Robert Fenwick;
Sceptre Bearer - George Campbell;
Pages - Thomas Burrows and John Darling;
Halberdiers - Peter O'Meara and William Gillam;
Ladies of the Court - Jane Herriot, Ann Lockhart, May Higginson,
Alice M Hodgson, Isabella Clark, Joan Walton,
Mary Weston, Jane Fleming,
Alexandena Smith, Margaret McFarlane, Grace Stewart, Elizabeth Webster;
Queen Mother - Mrs Jessie Lockhart;
To present Bouquet - Isabella Haddow.
The Crowning ceremony. This was the first occasion on which the crowning was held at Victoria Park. Formerly it had been carried out at the Square Park in the village. The setting here had its own appeal but, nevertheless, it had its drawbacks, one of these being that the spectators in their eagerness and enthusiasm were inclined to crowd too much near to the platform, with the result that much of the spectacle was lost. This difficulty was fully and amply obviated at the more spacious area of the football enclosure. The platform was erected facing the grandstand and only officials and the children were allowed within the barrier.
On arrival at the ground the children on foot made the nearest route to the scene of action, while the royal carriages, led by the pipers, encircled , almost, the track. There was quite a good attendance, which included the Hon President of the Committee, Mr. Mungo MacKay, and Mrs MacKay. The children were shepherded to their places with such skill and order that one would have been ready to believe that the whole proceedings had been carefully rehearsed. To handle such a number of children was no mean achievement, and one that reflected great credit in itself to those responsible, while praise must not be held from the youngsters themselves for their amenability and sense of order". Incidentally, it might be said that whoever was responsible for the platform was due a special vote of thanks. He ( or they as the case might be) , had approached the subject in the grand manner, and the erection provided was not excelled (even if it were equalled, which is doubtful) , by any in the district" There was spaciousness about it, while the decorations were a delight to the eye. A point that struck the visitor, however, was the question of a background. This had always been a feature of the erection at Square Park, but it was absent on Saturday. There was merit in the change, for it permitted spectators at the far side of the field to get a full view of the ceremony. The approach of the respective members of the court to their allotted places was carried out with appealing grace and dignity and the picture that was presented round the throne was a charming one.
Mr. J. Rutherford JP presided and in the course of his remarks referred to the interest that was now taken in the Gala Day which had become one of the recognised events in the community, He thought they would all agree that the children looked forward to the occasion with great enthusiasm while the interest of the older people was growing. These things, in themselves, justified all the work that was entailed. He felt it his duty, however, to pay tribute to the headmasters, Mr. Fowler and Mr. Lamb, and their respective staffs, for the high standard of efficiency and educational attainment which they had achieved. He would appeal to the parents to take a live interest in educational matters and to the children to take every advantage of the facilities that were offered them in their schools, of which they were all so proud.
The Herald called for attention, for their Queen was about to be crowned . Mrs Mabel Rutherford gracefully crowned Queen Betty, an act that was followed by great applause from Her Majesty's loyal subjects. The Queen was presented with a gold wristlet watch and also a necklace by Mrs Rutherford, while the bouquet bearer received a bracelet. A wristlet watch was also presented to the Herald, Master John C. Lockhart, who was Dux of Newbattle School in respect of which honour he received the school shield from the hands of Mr. Rutherford, and then it was stated above that the first note was of congratulation on the weather, but the weather clerk, 'as false as stairs of sand' , took a churlish mood. Rain started to fall and in a moment was coming down in torrents, the horrid fellow. The youngsters had hurriedly to seek shelter, but, fortunately, Victoria Park is furnished with a spacious stand, here the children crowded in, but their day was being spoiled. The best possible was done in the difficult circumstances. Chocolates and gifts to the Court were handed over, food bags were distributed, milk was available, and each child received a new penny. The sports programme was postponed, and possibly will be carried through later, but what promised to be one of the most successful gala days held in Newtongrange was abruptly brought to an end.