DISPLAY CASE

Coronation

Programme of celebrations in Wantage for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

Date: 1953 | Reference: D/EX2547/4/5/12

This programme lists the events that took place in Wantage to celebrate the coronation on 2 June 1953. This included roasting an Ox; dancing displays and band selections; fancy dress procession; public broadcast of the Coronation and the Queen’s speech; and torch light procession.

Souvenir programme for the parish of Woodley and Sandford celebrations of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

Reference: D/EX2733/3/5

This programme for the parish of Woodley and Sandford lists the celebrations for the coronation. This was produced by the joint efforts of the Coronation Celebration Committee and the Coronation Hall Appeal Committee of Woodley and Sandford Parish Council. Preliminary events included Grand Dances held on 25 May, 29 May and 2 June 1953. On Coronation Sunday (31 May), special prayers were made at all the churches and halls in the Parish. There were various teas held throughout the week and a Grand Carnival Procession took place on 6 June followed by fireworks.

Photograph of children from Ellington School, Maidenhead, in Windsor Home Park, on the occasion of the State Entry into Windsor of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh

Reference: D/EX1737/4

A note on the reverse of this photograph reads ‘Some scholars of Ellington School Maidenhead. Taken on the occasion of the State Entry into Windsor of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II & accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh. June 13th 1953. The Home Park was reserved for school children only’.

Photograph of the front of Jacksons premises, Jackson's Corner, Reading, decorated to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

Reference: D/EX2670/6/4/2

Jacksons was a department store in Reading which opened in the nineteenth century and closed in 2013. In this photograph, we can see the store decorated to celebrate the Coronation in 1953.

Letter from Buckingham Palace accompanying a medal sent to Smallcombe to commemorate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

Reference: D/EX2387/13/11

The Coronation Medal was issued on 2 June 1953 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the throne. It was issued as a souvenir to selected individuals throughout the Empire and Commonwealth including members of the armed forces, government ministers and public servants. William Albert Smallcombe (1892-1992), curator of Reading Museum 1926-1958, was honoured with a medal. This letter from Buckingham Palace accompanied it. Unfortunately we do not have the medal in our collections.

Scrapbook containing photographs of St Mark's Hospital, Maidenhead, staff social club's celebration of Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

Reference: D/H3/1/2/2

This is a scrapbook of photographs of coronation celebrations by St Mark’s Hospital, Maidenhead, staff social club in 1953. The celebrations included children’s fancy dress, dancing, and outdoor games such as skittles.

Coronation napkin from celebrations held in Newbury

Reference: N/D52/1/5

On 2 June 1953 there were street parties and a Coronation Carnival held in Newbury. This is a napkin from one such event.

Coronation programme for celebrations held in Newbury

Reference: N/D52/1/2

This is a coronation programme for celebrations held in Newbury. Events included a carnival, fireworks display, teas, street parties, fancy dress, decorated vehicles, dancing and games. The Chairman of the Local National Savings Committee offered a prize of a National Savings certificate for babies born in Newbury on Coronation Day. The Newbury and District Chamber of Commerce also organised a window dressing competition.

Tickets to the Coronation Carnival Procession held in Newbury

Reference: N/D52/1/12-13

These tickets are for the Coronation Carnival Procession held in Newbury in 1953. The Newbury Weekly News reported that ‘it was a night to remember in Newbury’ and the ‘rain and cold north wind could not diminish the enthusiasm of the crowds which lined the route four or five deep’. The newspaper further notes that, ‘an American standing in the crowd said “Gee, you should be proud of your town”’.