Winslow History | George V's coronation, 1911

George V's coronation, 1911

A parish meeting was held on 2 May to discuss arrangements for celebrating the coronation. Read the minutes. The main decisions were that nothing should be charged to the rates, and that a committee should arrange a tea for the children and luncheon for the old people.

Buckingham Advertiser, 17 June

PROGRAMME OF FESTIVITIES ON CORONATION DAY.

9 a.m., children’s service in Parish Church; 10 a.m., public luncheon in Oddfellows’ Hall, followed by procession to Parish Church; 10.30 a.m., Coronation service in Parish Church; 11.30 a.m., Waddesdon Temperance Silver Prize Band on Market Square (united singing of “God save the King”); 12 noon, public dinner in Oddfellows’ Hall. Afternoon in Home Close, Sheep Street (kindly lent by Mr. N. McCorquodale); 1.45 p.m., sports; 2.15 p.m., conjuring and ventriloquist (Mr. Preson Woods, London); 2.45 p.m., sports; 3.15 p.m., entertainment (Mr. Preson Woods); 3.45 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., teas; 5.30 p.m., entertainment (Mr. Preson Woods); 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., sports; 7 p.m., entertainment (Mr. Preson Woods); 7.30 p.m., tug-of-war and sports; 8 p.m., dancing; dusk, grand display of fireworks.

The girls from the National School assembled in their best hats to celebrate the coronation. The photo was taken in Home Close, Sheep Street.

Buckingham Express, 1 July

The Coronation Festivities passed off on Thursday last without a hitch. The day commenced with a peal from the bells at 6 a.m., soon after which people were busy completing the decorations. The service for children was held at 9 o’clock, when children and teachers (with a few adults) made a goodly show at the Parish Church.

At 10 o’clock the Waddesdon Temperance Band arrived, and after parading the town, proceeded to the Oddfellows’ Hall, where luncheon was being partaken of by a number of Oddfellows and others. About 10.20 a procession was formed, which marched to the Church. The special form of service was heartily and reverently carried through by the Vicar and the Rev. St. J. H. Beamish, the Rev. L. Thompson (Baptist) reading the lesson, and the large congregation joining in the responses. The Anthem was “Thou shalt grant the King a long life” (L. Meadow White). The singing was most bright throughout, and in the anthem the boys’ parts were remarkably well rendered. The service was over before 11.30, and after “God Save the King” had been again sung on the Market-square, the Band and Church Lads’ Brigade made a procession back to the Oddfellows’ Hall, where shortly after 12 o’clock a public dinner was partaken of by 70 townspeople. The Vicar occupied the chair and said grace; he was supported by the Rev. St. J. H. Beamish, Mr. Illing, Mr. George, Mr. Sanderson, Mr. J. Dickins, Mr. G. H. Thompson, Mr. A. J. Clear, Mr. W. Matthews, Mr. J. White, Mr. F. Lomas, Mr. H. Underwood, etc., etc., and at the close he (the Vicar) rose and asked the company to drink the toast of “The King and Queen,” without comment. This was done most enthusiastically, and the meeting broke up just before one o’clock.

Crowd in Market Square with band
Waddesdon Temperance Band leads the rendition of "God Save The King"

At 1.30 the sports commenced in the Home Close, opposite Winslow Hall (Kindly lent by Mr. McCorquodale). These were of varied character, including Old English sports as well as those for children of nearly all ages, and were, with one or two exceptions, very well patronized. Then came the children’s tea, all children up to 15 years of age assembled outside Mr. Barnett’s garden, and having their mugs, kindly presented by Mrs. Lambton, marched with the Band up to the Schools.

Captain Lambton had kindly given an excellent lot of fireworks, and these were arranged on Dene Hill so that they could be clearly seen, and under the manipulation of Mr. F. Matthews and Mr. d’Emeza they were let off splendidly.