1978
The Newtongrange Gala week of festivities culminated on Saturday with the crowning ceremony of the Children's Gala Day King and Queen.
The Court
King - Lindsay Sharp
Queen - Gillian Baxter
Chief Maid of Honour - Sharon Urquhart;
First Lord - John Calder;
Maids of Honour - Ann Boyle, Sharon Hood;
Herald - Kevin Brown;
Crown Bearers - William Gillies, David Keogh;
Halberdiers - John Hopkins, Scott Macrae, Charles Freeland,
James Lockhart;
Ladies of the Court - Annette Meek, Karen Monoghan, Jane
McGlashen, Anne Robertson, Lianne Horsburgh,
Jacqueline Thomson, Elaine Wylie, Lynne Rodger;
Bower Girls - Maria Duncan, Janette Hunter, Karen Sturrock,
Alison Miller;
Yeoman - Bruce Clark;
Flower Girls - Philomena. Forrest, Ann Marie Szatylowicz,
lsobel Freeland, Elizabeth Hopkins, Yvonne Pryde,
Audrey Young, Pauline Young, Pauline Sullivan;
Pages - Roy Halliday, Steven Higginson, Brian McWilliams,
Alan Urquhart .
In the Square Park they entered gaily decorated motor cars and headed by the Newtongrange Lothian Silver Prize Band and Newtongrange Pipe Band drove slowly, followed by their loyal subjects, via Third Street, Lingerwood Road and Main Street to the local public park.
The Royal party ascended the raised dais, providing a colourful spectacle. The crowning ceremony was gracefully performed by Helen Bennett and Alastair Martin, last year's Royal couple. The ceremony was watched by several thousand adult spectators.
The Chairman of the Gala Day Committee, Miss Annie Melrose, who presided, warmly thanked the villagers, trades people and the many organisations who had been so helpful and generous during the past year. She also thanked the staff of the local primary schools, children of the Court and parents, She also voiced a warning that if the Gala Day was to continue and grow as a major event in the life of the village, the present committee must be enlarged and she earnestly appealed to all to give support by joining this small band of hard -working community spirited people.
After the paying of homage to the King and Queen, the court retinue re-entered their cars and drove to Newtongrange Church Hall where they were entertained to tea. Each member was the recipient of a gift to mark the auspicious occasion.
After the feeding of the children, displays of judo and Highland dancing were given and several competitions were carried through.
The main attraction was a display by the RAF Search and Rescue Helicopter while further entertainment was provided by The Loanhead Majorettes. During the afternoon a novelty sports programme was through interspersed with musical programmes by the bands.
The Gala Day, held in beautiful weather was one of the most successful in it's 65 year history.
On Sunday the King, Queen and Court attended a service in Newtongrange
Parish Church.