As we look forward to the Coronation of King Charles III we’d like to take this opportunity to reflect back on past Coronation Days and how these were celebrated in Bury and the surrounding townships. With some images chosen from our Photographic Collection we will lead you to fabulously decorated buildings, through factories and streets and into the heart of what it means to celebrate in style!
Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation was an occasion when the folk of Radcliffe got competitive and creative just outside their own front doors. Encouragement for this came from the Town Council who were to award a prize of £10.00 to residents for the best decorated street in the town. Despite wind and pouring rain undoing earlier efforts – all was neat again for judging day and Norman Street received first prize.
Our picture here shows the two blank gable ends in the street being used to display large, framed portraits of the Queen and Duke. A news report helps splash colour on this monochrome scene:
“Each house window was garlanded with red white and blue paper chains and every window-sill sported a window box of artificial flowers in the same colours. The lamp standard in the street had been wound round for its whole length in red white and blue tape, and as a finishing touch, the decorators had removed the ordinary bulb and inserted one banded in the national colours.” (Radcliffe Times, 5th June 1953)
Countryside and seaside trips were promised for the 42 excited children of Norman Street eager for their share in the winnings.
The tradition of lighting bonfires to commemorate Royal events is the feature of our next picture. This huge mound of baskets, barrels, planks, staves and logs was to be Bury’s addition to the many bonfires which flamed into the darkening northern skies on the evening of Thursday 22nd June, 1911. Situated on what was known as the fair ground, this spectacle attracted thousands of people in celebration of King George V Coronation.
At over 40 feet high, containing 60 or 70 tons of material, and at least 20 yards in diameter at the base, the Bury Guardian reported that this was the largest bonfire for miles around: “it had been ingeniously constructed. There was a main flue, and six flues surrounding it, and all converging on the centre, so that it could be lighted no matter which way the wind was blowing”
Beat that, Bolton!
Staying with the Coronation of King George V we move to Unsworth: “the village had been decorated and presented a fine appearance” reports the Bury Guardian, and “a great deal of enthusiasm in the Coronation was displayed.” In the afternoon the villagers assembled at Parr’s and sang the National Anthem before forming their procession lead by the Levenshulme Band. Unsworth’s Primitive Methodist, North and South Wesleyan churches and the Parish Council were amongst the train of walkers and somewhere in there was the Radcliffe Parish Church Fife and Drum Band. Afterwards sports of various kinds were enjoyed in a field lent by Mr James Hulme of Higher House Farm. Children went on to receive souvenir medals, old folks too! And what for the little dog who seems certain of its place in the festival?
We have many photographs of factories and mills celebrating royal events – the photographer usually having done their best to capture the whole factory floor bedecked with flags and bunting and smiling groups of workers. While these busy scenes allow us a larger window to look through, this intimate portrait of two mill girls holds a special charm of its own.
The occasion here is the Coronation of Edward VII in August 1902 and the location is Ring Mill on York Street, Bury.
The looms in the foreground of this picture and hanging paperchains above act as natural framing, giving context and also directing our eyes to the two Bury weavers who, shuttles in hand, look directly at the camera. “Click” – a special moment captured!
Our final picture is one for the family album, a memory preserved from the Coronation of George VI in May 1937. This smartly decorated house is on Dale Street, Stubbins and although we’re not able to identify the family – their friendly, open faces bring a sense of familiarity. There’s sure to be a neighbourly invitation to go inside, have a cup of tea and listen to the Coronation broadcast on the wireless!
Bury Archives & Local History 