Children's Gala
April 1936
At a meeting of the Newtongrange Children's Gala Day Committee, held the Lothian Halls, Newtongrange, on Monday evening, Councillor George T. Reed, Chairman, presiding, it was decided to hold the Children's Gala Day on Saturday 4 July. Intimation was made that the Newbattle Branch of the Mid and East Lothian Miners' Association had agreed to a levy of 6d per member to raise the necessary finance in lieu of the usual door to door collection. It was also decided to inaugurate an invitation brass: band contest, fancy dress parade and dance in the village on a date be fixed. Mr James Smith was appointed Convenor.
Children's Gala - Queen Jessie Carson Crowned
4 July 1936
With regal pomp and splendour the ceremonial of the coronation of . Newtongrange and District Children's Gala Day Queen took place on Saturday in fine weather in a picturesque setting in the Welfare Park Councillor George T. Reed , Chairman of the Gala Day Committee, presided over 1800 school children assembled in front of the throne and several thousands of interested spectators. Prior to the ceremony, the Queen elect, accompanied by:
Queen Mother - Mrs J Mason;
Chief Maid of Honour - Jeanie T. Pryde;
Maids of Honour - Annie Allan, Annie Birrell, Hetty Jenkin,
Jane Naysmith;
Herald - John Greenhill;
Crown Bearer - John Finlay;
Sceptre Bearer - David Henderson;
Yeoman of the Guard - David Blackie;
Pages - David F.W.M. Lockhart, Lawrence S. McIntosh;
Halberdiers -
24 ladies of the court, four bower and twelve flower girls in gaily decked
cars, drove slowly through the principal streets of Newtongrange, Newbattle,
Easthouses and Westhouses.
The Chairman expressed the Gala Day Committee's thanks to Mr Mackay Agent to the Lothian Coal Co. Ltd, who was unable to be present, for many services towards the success of the Gala Day. He also thanked employees of the company who had contributed the sum of £52 towards funds. He congratulated the parents on the fine appearance of the children and thanked them for their great co-operation and sacrifice made on behalf of the children. Referring to the educational attainments of the children at Newbattle and Newtongrange Schools, he said they were second to none in the County and expressed his appreciation of the great work accomplished by Mr Wm. Fowler FEIS and Mr George F. Lamb, MA, Headmasters of Newbattle and Newtongrange Public Schools respectively, and their teaching staffs who deserved just praise for their excellent work.
Mr Wm. Fowler, FEIS, in a brief reply, thanked the Chairman for his kind words and stated that those on the platform represented the best pupils in the schools. The Queen on this occasion was Miss. Jessie C. Carson, 31 Eighth Street, Newtongrange, Dux Pupil in Newbattle Public School.
The Crowning Ceremony was gracefully performed by Mrs J R Bernard, Dean Cottages, Newtongrange, and wife of the local cinema manager. She presented the Queen with a beautiful dress bracelet to mark the occasion. The Chairman handed over to the Queen the Gala Day Committee's Dux Championship shield. On behalf of the Gala Day Committee, Mr George F Lamb, MA, Headmaster, Newtongrange Public School, presented wristlet watches to the Queen and John Greenhill, Dux Boy.
Mary T Bruce, in a neat speech, presented the Queen's bouquet to Mrs Bernard. Mr Wm. Fowler, Headmaster of Newbattle Public School, handed over boxes of chocolates to each member of the Court, on behalf of the Gala Day Committee.
After the Crowning Ceremony, the Queen and her attendants re-entered
the waiting cars and headed by the Newtongrange Lothian Silver Band and the
Arniston, Gorebridge and District and Borthwick Pipe Bands, followed by her
1800 loyal subjects in processional order, proceeded by Main Street and Murderdean
Road through densely lined crowds to Victoria Park, Newtongrange, where refreshments
were served and along programme of sports and games was carried through. During
the afternoon the three bands rendered musical items. The arrangements were
made by the Secretary, Mr Archibald Dougall, Parish Council Offices. Mr Joseph
Davidson acted as Master of Ceremonies. Under the direction of Messrs Fowler
and Lamb and their staffs a sports programme embracing 22 events was carried
through, Messrs Scott, Mutch, Kedslie and Crichton acting as judges.