The Coronation

[Judith Addison]

Does anyone remember the Coronation on 2nd June - 1953? We had a street party in Harrow Street, Oswaldtwistle - I have a photo. It was a cold, wet day - we're all dressed in winter clothes, sitting at a long trestle table. My Dad bought me a "Queen" cup and saucer, which I've still got - it shows the Queen with little Prince Charles and little Princess Anne. I started school that year at Hippings Methodist. Each morning, besides our third of a pint of milk, we got some of that thick clinic orange juice and a big tablespoon of cod liver oil. We learned to read using the "Beacon Readers" but soon progressed onto Enid Blyton - Noddy, Secret Seven, Famous Five, etc. Girls liked to read the "Mallory Towers" books - about a girls' boarding school where they had midnight feasts in the "dorm". My favourite comics were "Robin Comic", "TV Comic", "Bunty" and "Judy". Those were the days!

[south aussie]

Originally Posted by Judith Addison

Does anyone remember the Coronation on 2nd June - 1953? We had a street party in Harrow Street, Oswaldtwistle - I have a photo. It was a cold, wet day - we're all dressed in winter clothes, sitting at a long trestle table. My Dad bought me a "Queen" cup and saucer, which I've still got - it shows the Queen with little Prince Charles and little Princess Anne. I started school that year at Hippings Methodist. Each morning, besides our third of a pint of milk, we got some of that thick clinic orange juice and a big tablespoon of cod liver oil. We learned to read using the "Beacon Readers" but soon progressed onto Enid Blyton - Noddy, Secret Seven, Famous Five, etc. Girls liked to read the "Mallory Towers" books - about a girls' boarding school where they had midnight feasts in the "dorm". My favourite comics were "Robin Comic", "TV Comic", "Bunty" and "Judy". Those were the days!

Ican remember going to Oswaldtwistle town hall to collect my Coronation cup,but was never allowed to use it.
What ever happened to it i will never know
I didn,t go in for reading girly comics ,i was only four at the time.

[jaysay]

I remember it well even though I was only 6 at the time, I went with my Mum Dad and Grandma to watch it on TV at Jimmy Gorrels Grocers shop on Union Road (later became the Steak Bar and is now pat of Owing A Hewings insurance) after that there was a street party on Hodgson Street, which was moved to the Foxhill Grove church rooms when it came on raining, all the kids got a tin of chocolates and a cup and saucer

[West Ender]

Every house was decorated with bunting, crowns, banners. About 40 people were squeezed into our house to watch it on TV but my mother said I had to join the local "procession". All us West End children had to meet up at the dairy and were given paper flags to wave. We then had to walk down the middle of Blackburn Road, waving the flags - no band or anything, just the sound of shuffling feet - to St Thomas's church opposite our house. There was a tea party in the church.

I was 10 years old and did not want to be part of it, especially as it was drizzling, and walked with a sullen face and a trailing flag. My mother said I had to join in because she had contributed food. Once in the church hall I think I had 1 sandwich then bolted home.

To be honest, though, the coronation service on TV was very boring; it went on all day, was in black and white and could only be seen at a size of about 9 inches across a room thick with cigarette smoke. I really had wanted to be off with the dog somewhere.