- Home
- News / events
- Avenue Road
- Biggin
- Buckingham Road
- Census 1841
- Chapels
- Charities & poor relief
- Church
- Church Street
- Directories / descriptions
- Enclosure
- Families / people
- Farms
- Fire insurance
- High Street
- Horn Street
- Maps
- Market Square
- Medieval & 16th century
- 19th-20th Centuries
- Oral history
- Parish Council
- Photographs
- Pubs
- Railway
- Redfield
- Schools
- 17th-18th Centuries
- Sheep Street
- Shipton
- Station Road
- Tanneries
- Tinkers End
- Turnpike
- Vicarage & Verney Roads
- Western Lane
- Wills
- Windmill
- Winslow Hall
- Workhouse / Hospital
- World War One
- Sitemap
- Links
- Search site
- About us / contact
Elizabeth II's coronation, 1953
Buckingham Advertiser, 6 June
WINSLOW was thoroughly in keeping with the Coronation spirit on Tuesday morning. Magnificent decorations were the order of the day, houses, cottages, shops, business premises and licensed premises appearing to vie with one another in their effort to create a truly festive scene.
Market Square Service
After the ringing of the bells at 7 a.m., there was an open air service on the Market Square at 9.30 when Canon Beamish, Vicar of Winslow, from the splendidly decorated balcony of Lloyds Bank, offered prayers for the Queen which found a fervent echo in the hearts of the large congregation below on the Square. The lessons were read by Mr. R. L. Moore, (Chairman, Winslow Coronation Celebrations Committee) and Councillor A. Cox, representing Winslow Congregational Church. Pastor Burch, who recently took over the Pastorate of Winslow Baptist Church, gave an address that was both appealing and forceful. On the square was the surpliced choir of St. Laurence’s Church, Winslow with Cross-bearer and the Great Horwood Band who led the singing of the stirring hymns, God save the Queen, “All people that on earth do well” and “Praise my soul the King of Heaven.” It was a brief, but deeply moving service. The Fallen in Battle were honoured on Coronation Day by the placing of a wreath on the War Memorial.
Brilliant Assembly
In contrast, but also true to the spirit of the occasion was the brilliant assembly in front of the colourfully-decorated Railway Station for the judging of the Carnival Parade. The numbers, variety, beauty and novelty of the children’s entries, ranging from Coronation Mug to Coronation T.V. and including other topical and pretty entries were so outstanding that everyone appeared to qualify for first prize. There was some rich comedy in the adult entries. In the vehicle parade the Conservative Association staged a most attractive Elizabethan entry, the British Legion a realistic hospital scene, and the W.I. a fine “Home and Country” representation. There was a gay and an original display of decorated cycles and a very gay decorated motor car. The spirit of jollity was much in evidence and increased when the procession, headed by Great Horwood Band, set off on a parade to the Market Square and over an extensive route. Mr. E. Byford had organised the parade. Rain spoilt these proceedings, but nobody looked miserable. During this period the older residents were provided with Coronation T.V. in the Public Hall.
Thanks to Fred Cubbage for the photo, which was taken from Old Crown House (called Perseverance House at the time)
Decorated House Competition
The following were the results of competitions, judged by a party of well-known residents.
Decorated cycles (7 and over): 1, C. H. French; 2, Michael Walker; 3, R. Hamley.
Fairy cycles: 1, F. Cubbage; 2, Peter Clarke; 3, Peter Freeman.
Fancy dress classes: 1. John Stonell (huntsman); 2, N. Orme (Mexican); 3, Pat Stokes (cow-girl). 1, W. Chowles (hobby horse); 2, Dorothy Turner (Coronation Cottage); 3, Maureen Morgan (flower girl); 1, Alan Walker and P. Horne (pair); 2, F. Filer (drummer boy); 3, Ann Seeley (“Off the Ration”).
Groups 1, Elizabethan Period Costumes; 2, Coronation family; 3, “Darby and Joan.”
Commercial vehicles; 1, Women’s Institute; 2, British Legion; 3, Fire Brigade.
Motor cars, 1, F. Gibbard.
Tractors: Conservative Association.
Decorated Homes:- Cottage Class: 1, Mr. Head (The Walk); 2, Mr. Hawkins (30, Sheep Street). Houses: 1, Mrs A. Walker (Market Square); 2, Mr Dyson (Western Lane); Business premises: 1, Mr. Baxter (George, High St); 2, Mr. Midgley (Ironmonger, Market Square).
There was an excellent sports programme.
Two items on the programme which would have proved very popular had to be abandoned due to the rain. These were the olde tyme dancing at the Winslow Hospital and the dance on the Market Square. The dance was held in the Public Hall and a very jolly crowd were there dancing until well after midnight.
A Gay Scene
In the centre of Winslow, the Square was beautifully decorated and the superb flood-lighting of the centre and hub of the town, the Church, aided by the individual decorations of shop-keepers and house-holders made Winslow a very attractive Coronation Night venue. All must be congratulated on the very fine spirit which even the rain failed completely to dampen, especially the Committee.
There was a tea for the children on Monday and lunch for the old people on Wednesday.
See also: