Newtongrange Gala Officials
June 1949
At a meeting of the Newtongrange and District Children's Gala Day Committee held last week in Newtongrange School, Mr Archibald Dougal reported that Mr John Rutherford had been unable to continue as Chairman of the Committee, and Councillor Wm. Carson also intimated his inability to accept the Vice-Chairmanship owing to pressure of work. Regret was expressed at the loss of the two officials who had given valuable help in previous years. Councillor Andrew Ross and Mr Alex Crichton were appointed Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively. The various conveners appointed included Court, Mrs.R. Campbell; Catering, Mrs P. Peacock; Decorations, Mrs Thos Wright; Supply, Mr. James Smith; Musical Director, Mr Thomas McCabe.
Mr Andrew Taylor, who carried out the onerous duties of master of ceremonies so successfully last year, was again appointed to the position . Mr George Cruickshanks undertook the duties of ambulance supervisor. It was agreed the children would assemble in the Square Park and march in processional order, headed by the local bands, via Third Street , Lingerwood Road, Picture Palace and Main Street to the local Welfare Park, where the coronation of the King and Queen ceremony and Gala Day celebrations would take place. Arrangements in the event of inclement weather were also decided, particulars of which would be incorporated in the posters. Mrs Peacock, convener of the ladies' committee, expressed her thanks to all who had in any way assisted in the recent whist drive which had substantially increased their funds. Intimation was made that a concert had been arranged in the Newtongrange Parish Church Hall for Friday first, when the Stobhill Parish Church Dramatic Society would give a dramatic presentation of the play "Cock of the North" in aid of Gala Funds.
June 1949
Newtongrange was en fete on Saturday when the annual Children's Gala Day coronation and celebrations - one of the oldest and most picturesque in the district were held with the traditional regal pomp and pageantry in the Welfare Park. The schoolchildren, numbering over 1800, assembled in the Square Park. Headed by the Newtongrange Lothian Silver Band and the Newtongrange Lothian and Juvenile Pipe Bands, the King and Queen and court in motor cars drove slowly through densely lined streets, followed in processional order by their 1800 loyal subjects via Third Street, Lingerwood Road, Picture Palace and Main Street to the Welfare Park, where several thousand adult spectators awaited the arrival of the principals in the celebrations. A colourful scene was witnessed when the King, Queen, Dux pupils and other court members mounted the gaily decorated dais on which were placed the two thrones. Councillor Andrew Ross, Chairman of the Gala Day Committee, presided and in a short address congratulated them on their signal success.
This year's King was Charles J Briggs, 21 Galadale Drive, Newtongrange
and the Queen, Mary N. Johnstone, 17 Hursted Avenue. Easthouses, best pupils
in the qualifying classes in Newtongrange and Newbattle Schools respectively.
The Court
King - Charles J. Briggs
Queen - Mary N. Johnstone
Chief Maid of Honour - Agnes T Walker;
Maids of Honour - Elspeth J Foster, Jean S.B. Ritchie and
Eileen Convery;
First Lord - Wm Meek;
Lords in Waiting - Alex P D Denholm, James Dubickas, Daniel
T Garahy;
Crown Bearers - David
P Wright and Thomas Powell;
Pages - Robert Ormiston, Alex Hopkins;
Yeoman - J R Meikle;
Halberdiers - Thos Higginson, Jas Green, Wm Gilchrist, Thos
Higginson;
Ladies of the Court - June Rankin , Alexandrina McQalter,
Irene McMillan, Margaret McIntosh, Christine Taylor,
Helen Gillam, Mary C F Jeffrey, Flora Smith, Sarah H Wilson , Jane Watkins,
Agnes Clayton, Margaret Murphy;
Flower Girls - Mary Melrose, Evelina Dickson, Margaret Thomson,
Mary Paul, Betty Scott, Edna McIntosh, Agnes Stewart, Joyce Armstrong, Rebecca
Cornwall, Catherine Walker, Jeanette Horsburgh, Rosemary King;
Herald - F. Johnstone;
Pages - Walter Gilroy and Wm. Lynd;
Bower Girls - Maureen Landels, Pamela Gardiner, Jane Young
, Eliza Halliday.
The crowning ceremony was performed by Miss Irene N Watson,
49 Sixth Street, Newtongrange, Dux pupil in Newbattle Junior Secondary School.
On behalf of the Gala Day Committee, the Chairman handed over a number of
savings certificates to the King, Queen and Dux Girl in recognition of the
occasion. Each member of the court received a 5/- (25p) savings stamp. During
the afternoon, dancing exhibitions were given by pupils of the local schools
of dancing of Miss Brownlee and Miss McIntosh, while a first class physical
training display was staged by the local Rover Scouts. Later a rugby game
in which the contestants were dressed in everything but game attire was played
to a set of new rules. A successful sports programme was also run off, in
which some excellent running was witnessed.