1956
The last of the annual Gala Days in the district was celebrated on Saturday in Newtongrange when the local celebration .one of the oldest in the County attracted several thousand spectators.
Over 1,000 "loyal subjects" assembled at the Square Park, headed by the Newtongrange Lothian Silver Prize Band and the Newtongrange Pipe Band and accompanied by the King and Queen elect in an open landau drawn by horses and Court retinue in gaily decorated motor cars.
In processional order, the cavalcade reached the Public Park where the crowning ceremony was performed by Jean M Braid, Dux pupil of Newbattle Junior Secondary School. This year the King was James Murdoch and the Queen Sheila Moar, both pupils of Newtongrange School.
To "The Garb of Auld Gaul" , rendered by the Silver Band, the Court made an attractive and colourful entry.
The Court:
King - James Murdoch
Queen - Shiela Moar
Herald - Thomas Carson;
Chief Maid - Valerie Ross;
First Lord - James P O'Meara;
Maids of Honour - Elizabeth Reid and Maria Szatylowicz;
Lords in Waiting - David Carson and John MacDonald;
Crown Bearers - Christopher McVetis and William .J Wilson;
Pages - Gerald Garvie, Jan Bielskj, James Gardiner, William
Fraser;
Yeoman - George J. Wilson;
Ladies of the Court - Helen Slater, Janette Stewart, Shirley
Grant, Russelle Gardiner, Lorraine Cameron, Evelyn Paxton, Madge Dougal, Carol
Watkin;
Bower Girls - Mary Hay, Elizabeth H. Hunter, Emma Paxton,
Rebecca Graham;
Halberdiers - Alexander Ross, Kenneth Kirkwood, Thomas Gillies,
Gerald Green;
Flower Girls - Mary Doyle , Sheena Goodlet, Sandra Herriot,
Jean D. Lunn, Elizabeth Melrose, Mary O'Meara,
Christine Potter, Patricia Swan.
Councillor Andrew Ross, Chairman of the Gala Day Committee. presided. In a short address he referred to the separation of the Easthouses District from the Gala Day owing to the increasing number of children in the new development area, where last Saturday Easthouses staged their first Children's Gala Day crowning ceremony and Gala Day celebrations . While Newtongrange numbers this year were smaller, the quality was still outstanding. He congratulated the principals and Court who had gained their honoured position by their educational attainments. He also thanked the parents for the attractiveness of the children's dresses, which for many must have meant sacrifices.
Councillor Ross voiced the committees thanks to the National Coal Board and officials for their continued co-operation; the mineworkers for their generous financial support; Mr. Charles D, Walinck and Mr. Charles Barrington, headmasters of Newbattle and Newtongrange Schools and the teaching staffs.
After the crowning ceremony and homage by the Court, Councillor Ross , on behalf of the Gala Day Committee, presented watches to the King and Queen and the Dux pupil of Newbattle Junior Secondary School, who also received the Gala Day Dux Championship Shield.
The Herald, Thomas Carson, a Newtongrange boy, Dux pupil of Newtonloan St Andrews RC School, also received a gift in recognition of his honour. Numerous congratulatory telegrams to the Royal Couple were read.
After the crowning ceremony, the King, Queen and Court drove to the Newtongrange Parish Church Hall, where they were entertained to tea.
The "loyal subjects" proceeded to the Play Centre, where they received eatables, milk and a sixpence.(2½p).
During the afternoon, interesting displays of Judo and Highland Dancing attracted considerable interest from the large company while the bands provided enjoyable musical programmes.
A lengthy sports programme was carried through under the supervision of the headmasters and teaching staffs. The weather throughout the proceedings was dull and threatening but the rain kept off.
On Sunday afternoon the King, Queen and Court attended a special
service in Newtongrange Parish Church conducted by the Rev. John F. Braden.
Bibles were presented to the King, Queen and Dux pupil.