1954
At a meeting of the Newtongrange and District Children's Gala Day Committee - Councillor Andrew Ross, Chairman, presiding. Further arrangements were discussed for the annual Gala Day crowning ceremony and celebrations on Saturday of next week (June 26).
One of the oldest and most colourful of Gala Days in the district, the celebrations will commence in the Square Park, where the schoolchildren will assemble and await the arrival of the King and Queen-elect and Court.
Headed by the local silver and pipe bands, the King and Queen and Court, in motor cars, followed by their loyal subjects in processional order, will drive slowly via Third Street, Picture Palace, and Main Street to the local Public Park, where the crowning ceremony will take place. After presentations of watches to the King and Queen and Dux pupil, and the presentation of the Gala Day Dux Championship Shield, the children will receive a bag of eatables, milk and a sixpence.
Several varieties of entertainment, including dancing by local troupes, judo displays, musical selections by the bands, etc., the celebrations will conclude with a lengthy sports programme.
On the Wednesday previous to the Gala Day, in the Victoria Park, the semi-finals and final of the schools five-a-side tournament will be carried through for prizes presented by the Gala Day Committee.
It is hoped the community will turn out in force at these preliminary celebrations. They will be assured of an enjoyable evening's entertainment.
This year the King is selected from Newbattle Junior Secondary School and the Queen from Newtongrange School. The King is John G Campbell, 44 Suttieslea Crescent and the Queen, Rosemary M. King, 92 Fifth Street , Dux boy and Dux girl from the qualifying classes.
The Dux pupil of Newbattle School, Euphemia H.A. Carson , 19 Abbeygrange, will perform the crowning ceremony and later will be presented with the Dux Championship Shield.
Other members of the Court, who are selected on their educational merits, are:
Newtongrange School :
Queen - Rosemary M. King
Maid of Honour -
Joan Gillies;
Lord in Waiting - (Dux boy in school) James G. Melrose;
Ladies of the Court - Elizabeth J. R. Colvin, Eleanor Ann
Hamilton, Isabella H. Lockhart, Christine N Thomson,
Elizabeth G. M. Herriot, Barbara D.Brown, Christine Clark;
Herald - John L. Carson;
Halberdiers - Thomas Robertson, Paul D. Brownlee;
Pages - Dennis J Reid, John Herriot;
Flower Girls - Isobel Baxter, Anne R. Scott, Janet Reid ,
Margaret Campbell, Janet D.Allan, June Buchanan, Mary O'Meara.
Newbattle School:
King - John G. Campbell
Chief Maid of Honour -
Georgina L, Jack;
First Lord - David Campbell;
Maid of Honour - Jane C. Clark;
Lord in Waiting - Brodie D. P. Taylor;
Crown Bearers - Thomas Brown , Walter W.Hopklns;
Page - Kenneth Blackie;
Yeoman of the Guard - James P. Purves;
Ladles of the Court - Katherine H. Morrow, Jean A. Scrambler,
Alice Davidson;
Bower Girls - Margaret T. Brown, Anne C. Reid, Frances C.
F. Jeffrey, Lillian J. Ferguson;
Halberdier - William G. Marshall;
Flower Girls - Joan P. Holgate, Elizabeth A. M. Bielska,
Janet R. Jones, Naomi E. Zukowski.
Newtonloan School
Maid of Honour - Catherine Irvine;
Ladies of the Court - Anne Smith, Christine McLeod,;
Flower Girl - Patricia Mitchell;
Lord in Waiting - David McIntyre;
Halberdier - Tom Carson;
Page - Raymond Connolly.
Ex-King George Smith will represent Bonnie prince Charlie and
Ex-Queen Mary E. Paul, Britannia.