A great deal of effort was
put into organising a full day of celebrations to mark the Coronation of Queen
Elizabeth II on 2 June 1953. Details of the programme are given below, together
with copies of parts of the original document.
The Chairman of the
Organising Committee was Mr Frank Hessey and he was assisted by Mrs B J Marsh as
Treasurer and Mr C Wright as Secretary. Other Officials were Mrs J M Hallworth,
Mr E A Tompkins, Mr T Nicholson, Mr A V Cooke, Mr F Whitaker, Mr A Renshaw, Mrs
F Rodgers, Mrs E Rodgers, Miss M Shaw, Mr F Rodgers, Mr G V Bradley, Mr J R
Bolsover, Mr G Coleman, Miss B Porter, Mr J E Bradshaw, Mr I Rodgers, Mr F
Biggin, Mr C Bennett, Mrs F Hessey, Mrs W Pearson, Mrs R Nicholson, Mrs F
Whitaker, Miss M Pellatt, Mrs W Biggin, Mrs A Barker, Mrs G Cartledge, Mrs G
Fisher, Mrs E Barker and Mrs M Bishop.
9.00am |
Telegram despatched to her Majesty the Queen |
10.00am |
The Coronation Procession and Service as
broadcast by the BBC Television Service will be on show on
television sets in the County School. Children must be accompanied
by a parent at this event. |
2.00pm |
A service in the School Yard conducted by the
Rev T D Featherstone and the Rev E S Sketchley. |
2.00 - 4.00pm |
A competition for the best decorated houses
will be judged by Mrs Bovill and friend. You are invited to decorate
your house. |
2.30pm |
Tree-planting ceremony. A tree will be
planted opposite the War Memorial to complete the row of trees
planted earlier in the year. The tree will be planted by the Rev T D
Featherstone and the Rev E S Sketchley and will be received by Mr J
F Stanier (County Councillor) on behalf of the County Council. |
2.45pm |
A coronation seat will be unveiled in the War
Memorial Grounds by Mr J Ingleton and will be accepted by Mrs J G
Hutton JP on behalf of the Board of Management of the War Memorial.
(X) |
3.00pm |
ENTERTAINMENT on the Memorial Grounds. |
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1. A CONCERT by the Joysters Concert Party in
front of the Cricket Pavilion. |
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2. CHILDREN'S NOVELTY SPORTS on the
children's playing field. (X) |
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3. CHILDREN'S FANCY DRESS PARADE on the
playing field. (X) |
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4. CLOCK GOLF COMPETITION on the small
bowling green. (X) |
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5. BOWLS TOURNAMENT. (X) |
5.00pm |
TEA in the County School for children of
and under school age. Children must provide their own cups. Tea
for Old People in the War Memorial. |
6.00pm |
In
the County School Yard:
1.
Presentation to Prizewinners by Mrs R Clegg. (X)
2.
Presentation of Souvenir Spoons to children under school age by
Mrs K R Biggin. |
6.30pm |
FILM SHOW for children in the County
School. (Sound projector supplied by Mr Richardson). Comic Cricket Match on the cricket field. (X) |
7.30pm |
Whist Drive in the War Memorial
(admission free). Open-air dancing on the small bowling green.
(X) Talent Competition. Entries will be taken at the open-air
dance. (X) |
9.30pm |
DANCE in the County School (Admission
free). MC: Mr G V Bradley |
10.30pm |
Lighting of the Bonfire on the
Playing-field by Mrs B J Marsh heralded by the Phoenix Big Bang
and a salvo of rockets. (X) |
1.00am |
The National Anthem. |
And the weather was very wet. Rain
poured down all day and most of the events were postponed. However, despite
this, celebrations did take place. The children were given a tea-party and entertained by
the Joysters. The Old People had their tea and there was a successful dance in
the evening.

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