1968
With regal pomp and pageantry, the ceremonies of the crowning of the Newtongrange Children's Gala King and Queen and Gala Day celebrations were carried through on Saturday in brilliant weather.
The Gala was held in the park in the presence of several thousand interested adult spectators and their children.
Assembling at the Square Park, Newtongrange the schoolchildren awaited the arrival of the King and Queen with their attendants, who had toured the boundaries of their kingdom.
Headed by the Newtongrange Lothian Silver Prize Band under Band Master William Telfer, and Newtongrange Pipe Band under Pipe Major William Peacock, the royal party in motor vehicles drove slowly, followed by over 1,200 loyal subjects, in procession via Third Street, Lingerwood Road and Main Street to the beautiful setting of the local public; park where the royal entourage mounted the raised crowning dais.
At the crowning ceremony lan Campbell, 17 Fourth Street and June Hunter, 109 Sixth Street, pupils of Newtongrange Primary School were crowned King and Queen respectively by James M. Dick and Carol McNab, last year's royal couple.
In a short address, Councillor John McGuff, chairman of the Children's Gala Day Committee, warmly thanked all donors of money and those who had in any way assisted in the annual event, including the women who had made the flags for the street, and Mr Charles Barrington, headmaster of Newtongrange Primary School and the teaching staff for their continued support, and to the Gala Day Committee for their excellent work throughout the year.
He intimated that, owing to a misunderstanding, the name of Stewart Fleming had been omitted as a Crown Bearer but he was present in his position. He also regretted that owing to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control the Secondary Sports had been cancelled.
Mr. McGuff stated that the usual rumour was abroad that this was the last gala day in the village. As long as the villagers wanted the gala day to continue and were prepared to provide the finances, the gala day would remain one of the village's annual events and if continued annually until 1973 would celebrate its diamond jubilee.
Numerous congratulatory telegrams from ex-King James, ex-Queen Carol and relatives and friends of the King and Queen were read.
On behalf of the Gala Day Committee the King and Queen were presented with wristlet watches to commemorate the auspicious occasion.
The Court
King - Ian Campbell
Queen - June Hunter
Chief Maid of Honour - Alexandra G. Short;
First Lord - Douglas L. Aitken;
Maids of Honour - Janet J Vickers, Doreen Trench;
Lords in Waiting - William Anderson, John Parker;
Crown Bearers - Fraser M. McAlpine, Stewart Fleming;
Herald - William N. Eccles; Halberdiers - Robert Higginson,
Stephen Davies,
Colin Pryde, Anthony Kennedy;
Ladies of the Court - Grace Paxton, Shirley Wilson , Rhona
Hughes, Lesley Purves, Morag Dunachie, Jacqueline Clark, Moira Baird, Bernadette
Faulkner;
Bower Girls - Elizabeth Burnett, Jane Cooper, Carol Cairney,
Linda Burnett;
Yeoman - William Melrose;
Flower Girls - Valerie Cummings, Jane Lockhart, Linda Stobbart,
June McMillan, Gail Currie, Marion Booth, Jane Dolan, Marie Wynne;
Pages - Bruce Ferguson, Norman Aitken, Alan Shearin, Peter
Szatylowicz.
After homage had been made to the royal couple by the members of the Court the royal party re-entered their vehicles and proceeded to the Community Hall where they were entertained to tea.
The other children were provided with a meal and a sixpence (2½p).