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HERITAGE

The Quarterly Journal of Sittingbourne Heritage Museum

On 9 April 2005 we had a Royal Wedding when the Prince of Wales married Mrs.Camilla Parker-Bowles.

We took the opportunity to look back at another Royal occasion!

The celebration programme

Crown Quay lane Coronation Party

The Civil Defence celebration float

On Tuesday 2nd. June 1953, Sittingbourne celebrated the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Marking the occasion, the Chairman of Sittingbourne and Milton Urban District Council, Cllr. Muriel Rees said, “As the Coronation approaches, our thoughts turn in loyal affection as well as in homage to our young and gracious Queen. It is a time for rejoicing. Let us all join in the happiness and gaiety to the full. It is also a time for solemn dedication. Radio and television will, as never before enable people to follow the Coronation Service itself. Both now, and in the years to follow, when the pageantry and colour of this time have become a glorious and inspiring memory, our fervent prayer will ever be God Save The Queen.”

The future in 1953 was as ever, unclear and the threat of renewed world conflict seemed ever present but there was undoubtedly a sense that, given peace, better days lay ahead. The depressed years of the 1930s followed by six years of war and another six years of shortages and rationing were ending. The meat ration had just been increased from 1/9d per book to 2/-. Rationing finally ended in June 1954 when meat rationing ceased. We had a National Health Service which although not perfect was a vast improvement in medical care. The nationalised industries seemed to be working well. Better pensions and Family Allowances were helping the less well off. We had the Costa Brava in our sights.

On the home front the Council announced the completion of 516 houses in Sittingbourne in the period since the end of the war. Progress, but a housing shortage remained. As yet most houses did not have central heating or double glazing, two unsung heroes of the 20th century. Few today can recall just how cold a house could be away from the living room fire. Rising in the morning and scraping the frost from the inside of the bedroom window to be able to see out was not a home comfort. 

True, the sun was setting on the British Empire and with some violence as in Kenya, but not many seemed to mourn its passing and we were opening our doors to immigrants from former colonies who were beginning to arrive in substantial numbers. Virtually full employment meant there were jobs for all.

Some gaiety as prescribed by Cllr. Rees seemed appropriate, possibly helped by Kent’s 2922 pubs – one for every 535 residents. Her comment about television was also apposite. Everyone wanted to see the Coronation but few had sets.. They were very expensive. In Sittingbourne High St. Currys were advertising the “Stargazer” with its big 12 inch screen. Price 68 guineas. (£71.40). This was the equivalent of about 10 weeks wages to a family with only one breadwinner.

Those who had a television set were in demand and most played open house to friends and neighbours. A Sittingbourne resident commented “We had a television in time for the Coronation. Everyone used to come to our house on Sunday night to watch the plays and Jane Eyre on a Friday evening. We had no electricity and had to run it off a generator. Every hour we had to send someone down the garden to put more petrol in the generator.” Alternatives included St. Michael’s church where 4 television sets were installed in the nave enabling a congregation of some 250 to watch the service. At Sittingbourne Town Hall 9 sets were available to enable those aged 65 or over to watch the Coronation free of charge between 10.15 and 5.20.

The planning of the local celebrations took several months and required a committee of 27 to organise the events. There seemed to be a tradition to be followed of decorating the town – residents largely to bear the expense; a procession followed by open air sports and something for the children and the old folks, events which were uplifting and engendered a sense of civic pride. This was exactly the pattern which was followed at the Sittingbourne Coronation festivities in 1902, 1911 and 1937. 

Cllr. Rees spoke of dedication and homage as key elements in the Coronation Service. What precisely these words meant to the average Sittingbourne resident is not clear but the hierarchical tradition was deep rooted and remained strong. If the concept of England’s Green and Pleasant Land was known to be largely a myth, it was a myth to be cherished and had formed a recurring theme of Second World War films and songs

The Great Day

Opening the fete, Cllr. Wyllie said “I believe that this Coronation is a step towards putting Britain back in her rightful place – that is, as a leader of nations”. And a good time was had by all. Unfortunately not. The weather forecast was cold with rain or showers and wind reaching gale force at times. It was an accurate forecast and many of the sports had to be cancelled including the Men's knobbly knees competition. The Ladies ankle competition survived. 1st. Prize Eileen Spice, 2nd. Mrs. Seymour. Well done ladies. The weather improved later in the evening and the firework display ended the day. The community singing would have provided an opportunity to warm up. Does anyone recall the songs that were sung?

A Call to Arms

Another commemorative event which ran into difficulty was the stained glass window which St. Michael’s Church planned to install and which would include the arms of Henry V, who stopped briefly in Sittingbourne on his return from the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. The window would also include the Royal Arms. Enter the Home Office to say “Such representations are not allowed”. The Vicar, the Rev. A.E. Blake was not well pleased. “Vans delivering sausages by Royal Appointment can be decorated with the Royal Arms but not our window”

In his eve of Coronation sermon the Vicar spoke of the Queen in the following words:- “ Her power in these days is the very potent power of Christian living and example. In this matter, we of the Christian Church cannot be other than grateful, for her Majesty is a faithful and practising member of the Church of England. Her membership is not merely nominal, as you note if you read the Court circular on Monday morning. It invariably speaks of the Royal Family as having attended church .”

Carnival and Competition

The Wednesday evening saw the Grand Coronation Carnival and Procession of Decorated Vehicles. There were many colourful entries often with elaborate tableaux. The weather continued cold and overcast and there was a marked lack of a carnival spirit among the rather thinly spread spectators. What does it take to beat the English weather?

But never mind, you might have been at home decorating the front of your house for the Coronation week competition. Prizes: One of £2; Two of £1; Four of 10s. No expense spared. Or perhaps you were entering for the Tidiest Allotment Site Cup, a competition designed “To encourage neat and tidy appearance of allotment sites.”

The Coniston Hotel was doing its unofficial bit with a Coronation Dinner Dance. Tickets 15/-. Evening Dress. Bit pricey? Then back to the Official Programme with an Old Tyme Dance at the Drill Hall. Dancing to Mrs. Rumble’s Augmented Band. 3/6d.

Have a Party

What then of the Street Parties. They were encouraged and many were held but organised by the streets themselves except for one fortunate official request. Organisers were asked to avoid clashing with the Coronation Day events and as a result many parties enjoyed the better weather later in the week A tea for the children was the highlight of these parties and it does not appear that permission was required to close the street.

The Old Folks

At the end of the week there were to be three events held at the Town Hall and described as Old People’s Tea and Entertainment. In March the planning Committee were concerned that only 400 old people had applied to attend and we are not sure just how successful they were. Those unable to attend through infirmity would receive a souvenir parcel to include a ¼ lb of tea, and biscuits or chocolates.

Then and Now

We have been looking at how Sittingbourne met its official obligation to participate in the celebration of the Coronation and some of the hopes and thoughts of those concerned.. Cllr. Rees ended by speaking of the “Years to follow, when the pageantry and colour of this time have become a glorious and inspiring memory” 52 years have now passed and we can ask as we look at Sittingbourne today, was she right?