Edward VII's coronation, 1902

Buckingham Advertiser, 14 June

  CORONATION ARRANGEMENTS.- A public meeting in connection with the Coronation rejoicings, was held at the Girls’ School on Friday evening, but was only moderately attended.  The Vicar presided, supported by the Rev. W. H. Shackel and Mr. Geo. Pass, and amongst others present were Dr. Vaisey, and Messrs. Watson, Gates, Emerson, Warner, Fairman, Mullis etc., and a sprinkling of ladies.  The Vicar on opening the meeting explained that as the Parish Council had declined to do anything in the matter, and no one else took it up, Mr. Shackel, Mr. Pass and himself had done so in the interests of the children only, and in no way debarring others from getting up a larger scheme for adults.  Mr. Pass then stated that in response to the appeals made, they had promises of £31 7s. 8d., besides prizes to the value of 50s., and that Mr. McCorquodale had promised to give each child a mug.  It was then carried, on the motion of Mr. Watson, seconded by Miss Evans, that all children between the ages of three and 15 be entertained to tea, the names of those not on the school books to be sent to Mr. Pass on or before June 15.- The Vicar then proposed that a committee of six gentlemen and five ladies be elected, with power to add to their number, and the following were then chosen: Rev. W. F. Armstrong, Rev. W. H. Shackel,  Mr. G. Pass, Rev. H. K. Byard, Rev. J. G. Evans, Mr. Watson; Mrs. Armstrong, Mrs. Shackel, Mrs. J. White, Mrs. G. Ingram, and Mrs. A. G. Stevens.- The Vicar stated that a display of fireworks could be obtained for £5, which could be managed without having a man from London.- The meeting was of opinion that a torchlight procession would be less costly and more effective, and it was decided to have an illuminated procession.- A rough programme was sketched out as follows:- 2 p.m., procession from Schools to cricket field (lent by Mr. Robinson); 2.30 sports; 4.30, tea; 5.30, sports; 9 p.m., illuminated procession.- There was a strong expression of feeling that the old people should also have a tea on a subsequent date in the following week, but that was left in the hands of the committee.- The next question was that of a band, and Mr. Emerson, on behalf of the Town Band, said they would like to take part in the festivities of the day, and as far as that went would be willing to play for nothing, but at the same time their instrument fund was in want of money, and if the committee had any funds to spare they could not do better than to hand them over to that fund.-  Mr. Pass asked whether Mr. Emerson could give them any idea of the amount the band would like to receive, so that the committee could put it in their estimate.  Mr. Emerson said they would like £5, but would take less if the committee could not spare it.- The meeting then concluded with a vote of thanks to the Vicar for presiding.

After waiting until he was 60 to inherit the throne, Edward VII fell seriously ill with appendicitis and had to postpone his coronation. Queen Alexandra was also waiting to be crowned but there's no mention of her in these reports.

Buckingham Advertiser, 28 June

  A hastily convened but well-attended meeting of the Coronation Festivities Committee was held at the old Girls’ Schoolroom on Wednesday morning.  The Vicar presided, supported by Rev. W. H. Shackel and Mr. G. Pass… The Vicar, after alluding to the sad news which had stopped the preparations for the proposed festivities, and apologising for calling the meeting so hurriedly, said the first thing to consider whether they were empowered as a committee to act without consulting the general body of subscribers.  The Rev. H. K. Byard moved and Mr. Hawley seconded, that the matter be definitely settled.  The Vicar then moved that the whole of the festivities be abandoned for a time, this being seconded by Mrs. Neal … Mr. Wigley suggested that in the event of the King not getting better the tea be postponed…Mr. Byard moved a resolution that the tea be given as originally arranged…except in the event of the King’s death, in which case it will be postponed… In the event of the festivities being put off all tradesmen are to be paid in full and the provisions given away.  The Vicar said he could not guarantee that either the mugs or the medals would be given - that rested with the donors. ...  The only portion of the proposed festivities retained on Thursday was the tea. This was a great success.  About 360 children were fed in Curtis’s orchard [at the top of Sheep Street, now Chequers End], kindly lent by Mr. McCorquodale.  They were waited upon be a committee of ladies and gentlemen, including almost every section and denomination, and the children appeared to thoroughly enjoy themselves.  Mrs. McCorquodale generously presented every child with a mug.

The coronation was rescheduled for 9 August.

Bucks Herald, 2 Aug

  CORONATION FESTIVITIES.- A meeting of the original Coronation Committee was held in the old Schoolroom on Friday evening, July 25th.  The Vicar presided … It was decided to carry out the original programme of sports, illuminated procession with band &c., as far as possible, and to canvass the town for subscriptions towards getting a second (but plainer) tea for the children. It was felt that the Saturday in Bank Holiday week was a very unsuitable date for the festivities … at the same time, it was considered that as the day had been proclaimed a Bank holiday there would be no alternative but to observe the Coronation then.  The Vicar informed the meeting that Mr. McCorquodale had again offered the use of Curtis’s House, orchard and field, and it was unanimously decided to hold the festivities there.  He also stated the medals promised by Dr. and Mrs. Kennish would be given as originally intended.

Bucks Herald, 16 Aug

  Although not marked by quite the same amount of interest as was displayed at the Jubilee, the Coronation festivities here passed off most successfully.  The proceedings commenced with a procession from the Railway Station Green up the High-street and on to the Square, where a halt was made and “God save the King” sung.  The procession presented a very pretty spectacle, comprising all the school boys and girls of the parish, each carrying a flag, with the infants in conveyances at the rear and the Town Band at the head.  The procession then marched to the field situate at the corner of the Little Horwood-road, kindly lent by Mr. McCorquodale, where a long and varied programme of sports for boys and girls was carried out under the superintendence of a hard-working committee, comprising the Vicar and the Rev. W. H. Shackel, Messrs. G. Pass, E. Illing, G. Midgley, A. Watson, J. H. Thompson, and Attwool.  These sports were witnessed by a large number of spectators, and excited much interest, especially in the boys’ obstacle races.  Tea was provided in the New Schools, a large staff of ladies waiting on the children.  Each child was presented with a pretty little Coronation medal, kindly given by Dr. and Mrs. Kennish.  After tea the sports were resumed and kept up till about 7 o’clock, when the prizes (some of which were remarkably nice ones) were distributed by Mrs. Kennish.  Then there was a lull until 9 o’clock, when the children met again in the schools, and headed by the Band marched in illuminated procession round the town.  First came about fifty torchbearers; then the boys carrying Chinese lanterns and coloured lights; a trolley carrying coloured fires manipulated by the Rev. W. H. Shackel; the girls, also carrying Chinese lanterns and lights.  The route taken was down Sheep-street, through the Market-square, High-street, into Buckingham-road, then down Station-road and round the Station Green, back into High-street, down Vicarage-lane, round Western-lane into Horn-street and into the Market-square again.  The Band played, the children sang, and a crowd of young folks of both sexes sang and shouted to their hearts’ content.  At 10 o’clock the Band played “God save the King,” and the procession broke up.  At about 10.30 o’clock, however, the Band began to play for dancing, and it was close on midnight before the assembly finally separated.  The town was prettily decorated for the occasion, most of the houses and shops displaying devices, flags, or other adornment, and there were some effective illuminations at night.  A word of praise is due to the committee for the manner in which the arrangements were carried out, and particularly to Mr. Pass, the hon. sec., who laboured most arduously, not only on this occasion, but also in June.

See also:

• Winslow in the 19th-20th Centuries