1979
Newtongrange village was en fete on Saturday on the occasion of the annual children's gala day crowning ceremony of the Gala Day King and Queen and gala festivities.
Assembling in the Square Park the children, headed by Newtongrange
Lothian Silver Prize Band and Newtongrange Pipe Band, marched accompanied
by the King and Queen elect and their Court via Third Street, Lingerwood Road
and Main Street to the beautiful setting of the local public park.
The Court
King - Alan Baxter
Queen - Janis Laird.
Chief Maid of Honour - Dawn Logan;
First Lord - Tommy McNeill;
Maids of Honour - Elaine Begbie, Pamela Purves;
Lords in Waiting - Gary Cooper, George Ormiston;
Herald - David Myatt;
Crown Bearers - Robert Drummond, Paul Orr.
Halberdiers - Adam Higginson, Fraser Drummond, Peter Easton,
James Welsh;
Ladies of the Court - Susan Green, Leanne Higginson, Lynn
Higginson, Lorraine Jenkins, Linda Pszencyznyj, Janis Purves, Annette Robertson,
Arlene Williams;
Bower Girls - Rosemary Armour, Mary Ann Hall, Gillian Potter,
Kim Simpson;
Yeoman - Alan Duncan;
Flower Girls - Kathryn Carlyle, Philomena Forrest, Gillian
Higginson, Nadine McCulloch, Heather Ormiston, Yvonne Pryde, Jacqueline Robertson,
Anne Marie Szatylowicz;
Pages - Michael McGuiness, Alan Potts, Yuill Smith.
Arriving at the public park, the royal couple and court members ascended the raised dais for the crowning ceremony, which was gracefully performed by Gillian Baxter and Lindsay Sharp, last year's royal pair.
Miss Annie Melrose, Chairman of the Newtongrange Children's Gala Day committee, presided at the ceremony in the presence of the children and several thousand interested onlookers.
In a short speech she warmly thanked all who had assisted financially or otherwise towards the success of the Gala Day. She then presented the King and Queen with watches to commemorate the auspicious occasion. The King and Queen received many congratulatory telegrams.
After the ceremony the King, Queen and Court re-entered their cars and drove slowly to Newtongrange Parish Church hall where they were entertained to tea. During the afternoon, after the children had received a meal, enjoyable displays were given by Mayfield Majorettes and the Caledonian Morris Dancers. A novelty sports programme was interspersed by musical items by the bands and judo and highland dancing displays by local organisations. The proceedings were carried through in brilliant sunshine which added to the huge success of the annual gala day.
During the week there were many functions including an old folk's night and a dress rehearsal of the crowning ceremony which attracted a large and appreciative audience.
The week's programme was completed on Sunday afternoon by a church service in Newtongrange Parish Church. The hard working Gala Day officials and committee are to be congratulated on their successful organising of the village's annual gala day.
Prize Winners
Fancy Dress Parade - up to 7 years old Girls 1st. Glenda Horsham, 2nd. Elaine
Henderson. Boys 1st. Neil Rutherford; 2nd. Haig Scott. 7 -14 years
Girls 1st. Bill and Ben plus Weed; 2nd, The Three Degrees. Boys 1st. Kenneth
Hunter; 2nd. David Myatt. Groups - Punk Rockers. Bikes Up to 7 years -1st.
Scott Shaw 2nd. Mark Horsham 3rd. Neil Stobbart. 7-14 years 1st. Gavin Brown
2nd. Kevin Brown. Special Adult Prize - Archie Neilson as Carmen Miranda.
Floats -1st. The Big Top; 2nd. The Tartan Terrors .
Decorated Gates - 1st. 55 Sixth Street 2nd. 87 Sixth Street 3rd.127 Main Street
Decorated Cars - 1st. Mr Paterson 2nd. Mr Collins 3rd. Mr Naismith.
Lucky programme number - 365.
Raffles -1. Mrs Cairns, 16 Reed Drive; 2. Mrs J Horsburgh, 23 McCathie Drive; 3. Mrs Reid, 57 Lingerwood Road; 4. E Mitchell, 107 Newbyres Crescent; 5. M Nisbet, Ferranti, Dalkeith; 6. M Watters, Ward 37/38 RIE; 7. Brenda Air, c/o Millars; 8. Linda Livingstone, 6 Niddrie Mill Terrace; 9. Mrs Ram say, 65 Birkenside; 10. Joe Walker, c/o Torino Bar; 11. Moira Ormiston, 88 Reed Drive; 12. A Seymour, c/o Pentland Bond; 13. Mrs Rutherford, 10 St David's .
Baby competitions Up to 6 months Gordon Mann; 6 mths -1 year, Ewan Gilchrist;
1-2 years, Robert Robertson
Shapely Ankles -Betty May.
Glamorous Granny - Margaret Millan.
5-aside football -Dean Tavern " A".
Chairman’s Message
In the 1978 programme I said “THANKS” and “HELP”.
In 1979 it is my pleasure to write that my plea for help did not go unanswered – several new members have joined the Committee and more will have come along by Gala Week.
The simplest way to record my appreciation of all the help, financial and otherwise given to the Committee is to say – “THANK YOU NEWTONGRANGE”.
The Committee has worked hard all winter fund raising and planning this years Gala Week, and I do hope you will enjoy all that has been laid on.
May the good folk of Newtongrange, together with their family and friends have a very happy week – may the sun shine on the Gala Day King and Queen, their Court and all the children of Newtongrange.
Have a happy Gala Week.
God bless you all.