Following on from the Coronation of King Charles on 6 May, it is interesting to look back on the way the town celebrated the Coronation of the late Queen Elizabeth on 2 June 1953. Like most of the nation, Southam people showed great enthusiasm about the accession of the young Queen, who was just 27 years old.

The evening before the ceremony St James’ Church and the Roman Catholic Church both held Thanksgiving Services. The next day, a Tuesday, was a Public Holiday. The Coronation was the first to be televised, with coverage starting at 11am, and an estimated 27 million people in the UK watched it. Only 21 per cent of households owned a television, and many remember watching the event in neighbours’ homes, shop windows or public showings.

Festivities in Southam started at 1pm with the Southam Town Band playing a selection of music on Market Hill.  At 2pm there was a fancy dress parade for children, who each received a shilling for taking part. While the decimal equivalent, five pence, is very small change today, this was a significant sum for a child in 1953; the average weekly wage for a 45-hour week was five pounds, two shillings and five pence (£5.12). The best three costumes won their wearers prizes of seven shillings and six pence, five shillings and three shillings respectively.

On the Recreation Ground at 3.30 there were children’s races, followed by a Boys v Girls relay race. Once they had expended some energy, the children could enjoy a tea party at 4.30, while adults were invited to a buffet tea. All the children were then presented with Coronation mugs by Mrs A Brewster JP. I wonder how many Southam residents still have these?

At 7 pm there were sports for adults, with cups and prizes provided from a fund collected by Mr W E Raby. The events included a flat race, obstacle race, sack race, ‘miniature Marathon’ and a Tug-of -War, while special events for ladies included an egg and spoon race, ‘threading the needle’ race and a ‘Nippy’ race carrying tea-trays. Mr Victor Hodges, the Chairman of the Parish Council, presented the prizes at 9.30.

At 10pm a Torchlight Procession marched through the town carrying lighted flares (there is no record of any risk assessment!), culminating in a bonfire and fireworks on the Rec. At 11pm the Town Band accompanied the singing of the National Anthem, followed by dancing.

The Church bells were rung at intervals throughout the day, and the south side of the Church was floodlit for the whole week. Flags and bunting decorated the town, and street parties were organised. Intermittent rain persisted throughout the Coronation day but could not dampen the occasion.

 

Southam Heritage Collection is located in the atrium of Tithe Place opposite the Library entrance.  We are open on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings from 10am to 12 noon. To find out more about Southam’s history, visit our website www.southamheritage.org  telephone 01926 613503 or email  southamheritage@hotmail.com  You can also follow us on Facebook.