Queen Ella at Newtongrange - Successful Gala
7 July 1932
The Square Park, Newtongrange was a place of gay colour and bunting and music and smiling faces on Saturday. it was there that the crowning of the Queen ceremony in connection with the children's gala day was held. The platform erected was of the usual generous dimensions at this festival and was decorated with a full sense of the fitness of things. The Court appeared to be a somewhat bigger affair than usual, but in any case it was a pretty picture that was presented in the sunshine. Every individual concerned played his or her part to perfection, and Queen Ella had every reason to feel satisfied with the homage that was paid to her by very loyal subjects. In the carrying out of the ceremonials everything went with a smoothness that indicated careful and competent coaching of pupils who were anxious to maintain high traditions.
The crowning ceremony was gracefully performed by Mrs Edith A.Walker, to be followed by rousing cheers.
The Court was,
Queen - Ella Currie;
Chief Maid of Honour - Mary Syme;
Maids of Honour - Margaret McLeary, Betsy Higginson, Catherine
Wylie, Jane Arundel;
Herald - William D.Smith;
Crown Bearer - Thomas Linton:
Sceptre Bearer - John Blackie;
Yeoman of the Guard - Wilbert Nelson;
Pages - Frederick Docherty and Walter Young;
Halberdiers - Thos Robertson, John Wishart, James Bowers
and Peter McQue;
Ladies of the Court - Betty Muirhead, Harriot Knight, Jane
Meek, Isabella Haddow, Ellen Wilson, Christina Dudgeon,
Mary R Moore, Jane Holgate, Mary Whitehead, Margaret Clark, Helen Anderson,
Ray Munro, Catherine Morris,
Janet Mclntyre, Martha Deans, Isabella Dickson, Nettie Temple, Margaret Allan,
Christine Thomson, Jane H D Clark;
Bower Girls - Henrietta Smith, Ellen Lennie, Agnes Liddle,
Violet Smith;
Flower Girls - Elizabeth Weston, Mary Anderson, Jane Anderson,
Janet Gilchrist, Mary Robertson, Margaret Hay,
Georgina Petrie , Henrietta Moffat, Hannah Henderson, Janet Anderson, Annie
Dickson, Margaret Dunachie;
Queen Mother - Mrs Helen Moore;
To present bouquet - Christina Higginson.
Mr James Smith, who presided, extended a hearty welcome to all children and parents on that, the tenth anniversary of the children's gala. The Gala Committee had fully justified its existence, having for its main object the encouragement of a keener desire on the part of the children to take full advantage of the facilities to equip them with a sound education, and to take their part in solving the great problems that confront not only this country but the world in general. Nothing is more constant than change. The children of today will be the citizens of tomorrow and as a result of better education than their forebears, will be better able to guide these changes and solve the world's problems. Mr Fowler and Mr Lamb, the head teachers, did not confine their activities to the schools only, but co-operated with the parents at their homes and gave advice regarding the children, all of which was greatly appreciated.
Concluding Mr Smith said that, more spectacular than ever, Newbattle
was always in the forefront and great credit was due to the mothers and children.
Thanks were due to the Lothian Coal Co for their continued generosity in erecting
the platform and other equipment without which the result achieved could not
have been attained. The women of the Committee gave wonderful and ungrudging
service. Mr Fowler and Mr Lamb, headmasters and the staffs of Newbattle and
Newtongrange schools respectively, gave yeoman service. To Arniston and District
Pipe Band they were deeply indebted for their services, which were given gratuitously.
Mr Davidson and the assistants of the Court Committee were worthy of a special
vote of thanks, and also all who had given their services to make the day
such a success. The procession via Fourth Street and Murderdean Road to the
Victoria Football Park attracted much attention.