History of Newtongrange
In it's day, coal was at the core of the industrial revolution. It was the energy that powered the nation and fundamental to our everyday life in Newtongrange, including through employment directly or indirectly. Thus, coal fortified our quality of life. Conversely men, women and children lived and died to hew for coal to support their families and their community. Newton Grange (as it was previously written) was created to support the production of coal.
The first Gala Day
Taking up an instrument to play in a colliery brass band or pipe band was a release from the drudgery and darkness of the mines.After one successful strike for more wages in 1912, the local miner's committee agreed to give up one day's wage per week to provide for a children's day and the following year, on 10th July 1913, Nitten Gala began. The Gala was a great success and many villagers turned out for the procession to Victoria Park, home of Newtongrange Star Football Club, where sporting activities and a flower show took place. The parade was led by the Lothian Silver Band and a banner emblazoned with "Newtongrange Children's Gala", was carried at the front of the procession.
The tradition begins
Pit Ponies went underground for the last time in 1923 and that year saw the resumption of the Gala. Emma Quinto became the Pupil-Dux and she was crowned Queen on 2nd August 1923. In preparation for the Gala, two local women, when on a trip to the Globe Train (a trip taken once a week by communities to buy cut-price foodstuffs) they took the opportunity to pop into a second hand shop in search of ceremonial items for the gala and bought what they thought was a fitting chair for the crowning ceremony. Everyone rallied to make the gala a success. A robe and a crown was donated by local businessmen. The Lothian Coal Company built a stage and the evert was not only a great success, but a real spectacle which lifted the village's spirits post war.
A trip down to 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 ‘70s’. I remember helping friends organise outfits for the Fancy Dress Parade - 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.
- Janette Stewart
(Chair, Newtongrange Galaday – 1990s)
