1957
Newtongrange Gala Day was marred by inclement weather. Over 1500 "Loyal subjects", headed by the Newtongrange Lothian Silver Prize Band and Newtongrange Pipe Band, marched behind the King and Queen and Court in motor cars. Councillor Andrew Ross, Chairman of the Gala Day Committee, presided at the crowning. ceremony.
The ceremony was performed by Jean W Newlands, Dux of Newbattle Junior Secondary School, who gracefully crowned King Thomas A. Naysmith and Queen Elizabeth Bielska, Dux pupils of Newtongrange Primary School. Unfortunately heavy rain fell and the ceremony had to be continued in Newtongrange School Hall. In an address Councillor Ross congratulated the King and Queen and also the members of the Court.
The children were provided with their picnic meal, milk, and a sixpence (2½p) in the school.
On Sunday the royal party attended the Newtongrange Parish Church, when Rev John F. Braden presented Bibles to the King, Queen and Dux pupil.
The Court
King - Thomas A. Naysmith
Queen - Elizabeth Bielska
Maid of Honour - Elizabeth Grieve;
Lord in Waiting - John Herriot;
Ladies of the Court - Honour Birrell, Anne Scott, Jean Davidson,
Sarah Gowrie, Wilma Baxter, Isobel Baxter;
Halberdiers - John Anderson, John Morris, John Mackie, Douglas
Scott;
Herald - Douglas Scott;
Flower Girls - Alexandra Herriott, Sandra Campbell, Christina
Potter, Margaret McIntyre, Christina Paxton, Janet Noonan;
Pages - Andrew Irvine, Lawrence Ross, David Hay;
Newbattle Secondary School:
Dux - Jean W Newlands;
Chief Maid - Carole Black;
First Lord - George Atkins;
Crown Bearers - William Thomson, Ian Walls;
Yeoman - Thomas Bruce;
Bower Girls - Annie McIntosh, Elizabeth Herriot, Elizabeth
Jeffrey, Catherine Walkingshaw.
St Andrew's RC School:
Maid of Honour - Marie Szatylowicz;
Lord in Waiting - Raymond Connolly;
Ladies of the Court - Madge Dougal, Mary Holland;
Flower Girls - Winifred Doyle, Marie Honeyman;
Page - Alan O'Connor;
Halberdier - Anthony Mitchell.