A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE
I first became associated with the Gala through my friendship with the late Annie Melrose who was Chairman until 1979. I have many happy memories from the early '70's. I remember helping friends organise outfits for the Fancy Dress Parades - I can still see the late Archie Neilson in his 'Cooperman' outfit, collecting can in hand, holding villagers to ransom along the route of the parade. Nobody dared refuse and Archie always collected a lot of money for gala funds! Archie's family donated a shield in his memory and this is awarded each year to the overall winner of the Fancy Dress Contest.
Fund-raising has always played a major part in our Committee's activities . As well as raising funds for the Gala, we have also raised money for other children's charities or local appeals. Over the years we have walked from Newtongrange to Edinburgh dressed as clowns collecting money en route, jumped out of planes, abseiled from a great height, climbed Burma bridges and other obstacles all in the name of fund-raising. As a special sponsored event for our 1993 80th Anniversary Celebrations, a 'squadron' of committee members and friends took to the air over East Lothian in microlight planes. As well as raising much-needed money, these events have provided much entertainment over the years!
We have had many laughs behind the scenes at the Gala. We have a number of unseen hard-working committee members and friends who are on 'Cookhouse Duties' preparing meals and refreshments in the Church Hall throughout the Gala. 'Kitchen' duty begins at 6am on the Gala Day preparing the days catering, tables being set, cleared and re-laid in no time at all. I can remember one occasion when we had a gymnastics team appearing at the Gala. During the afternoon, when the Church Hall was at its busiest, we heard a steady pounding. Margaret Cairns, one of our Catering Team helpers who, at the time, was serving orange juice from giant kettles, popped out the door to see what was happening and found herself in the centre of the team of gymnasts who were jogging back, en masse, to the hall. One of our amusing memories is the picture of Margaret, usually so quiet and retiring, caught up in the group, jogging into the hall, under escort, holding the kettles above her head.
On another occasion the laugh was on me. It had been arranged for me to take part in one of the Blue Arrows Motor Cycle Display Team's stunts called "The Zipper" in which some of the team members lie face down on the ground, in one long line. The line splits to form two sides when two riders mount the ramp and jump the bikes between the lines. I was put in position at the top of this line and was under instruction not to move until ordered to do so by the Team Leader. I was so excited as I anxiously awaited my orders. I heard the bikes revving up and I waited - I heard a shout in the distance but it was not for me. I waited - and waited - and waited - until I felt a tap on my shoulder. When I stood up I found the crowd around the arena helpless with laughter and I couldn't understand what had happened. Then I realised the Team had moved to the other end of the arena to do the stunt by themselves and I was left on my own, lying face down, in the middle of the arena. The Blue Arrows had planned this joke and, I have to admit, I fell for it hook, line and sinker! We all had a good laugh after the display.
JANETTE STEWART
1993