1953: Aylesbury Coronation Celebrations

Fascinating footage in Aylesbury from 1953 showing the colourful celebrations of the Coronation of the Queen. Digitisation of this footage was funded by the Aylesbury Town Council.

VIEW HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1el76kmCDrY

PARADE OF THE QUEENS SATURDAY MAY 30TH 1953 -  Route: from Turnfurlong, to Walton Road, Walton St, Market Square, High St, Park St, Manor Park and into Alfred Rose Park.

Procession took half an hour to pass each point. It was led by Town Crier Mr A. J. Tomlinson (local Conservative Agent), and what was described as his “modern counterpart” – a loudspeaker van.

Next was the 16th century Queen Elizabeth on horseback. She was followed by a replica of the Golden Hind, the sailing vessel that took her Champion, Sir Francis Drake, around the world. Music: Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Band, RAF Halton Apprentice’s Pipe Band; the band of the 645 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery (Bucks), Territorial Army; Bugle Band of the Sea Cadets, High Wycombe; and Sea Cadets Band, Bedford.

In blue & white were members of the Victoria Street and Albert Street Bazooka Band with their plastic toy instruments. Members of the Home Guard followed a band of 16th century archers. Aylesbury Young Farmers displayed agricultural “machinery” from the 16th and 20th centuries. Modern day queen: Sheila Corcoran, aged 16. Lived in Oak Green,

Southcourt and was a shop assistant. The Bucks Herald estimated the crowds at between ten and fifteen thousand. SPORTS MEETING SATURDAY MAY 30TH ALFRED ROSE PARK. Cycling and athletics events, the latter with Olympians taking part. Athletes included Norris McWhirter (later founder of the Guinness Book of Records). Cycling: five-mile and one-mile Berks, Oxon & Bucks Championships. Javelin throwing and tug-of-war contests were also included. STREET SCENE Decorations in a street of terraced houses COUNTRY DANCING Country dancing.

CHILDREN’S CHURCH SUNDAY MAY 31ST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH The younger generation dressed up in 16th century Elizabethan costumes for the Children’s Service at the Congregational Church. MAYOR’S SUNDAY MAY 31ST ST MARY’S CHURCH THE Mayor's Chaplain, The Rev. D. Wright, Vicar of Holy Trinity, Walton, addressed the congregation.

The procession to the church formed up in the Market Square. Police, regular and special constables led the way, followed by Royal Artillery then Army Cadets, R.A.F personnel, Sea Cadets, Royal Naval Old Comrades’ Association. St. John Ambulance and Nursing Division. Also processing were Civil Nursing Services, the British Legion. Royal Air Force Association. Boy Scouts, Girl Guides. In scarlet robes was the Mayor, Councillor Arthur Sage.  

DANCING IN MARKET SQ TUESDAY JUNE 2nd, CORONATION DAY 7pm Dawned cold and wet. Most Aylesbury folk found one of the new televisions to watch, but in the evening several hundred braved the weather to watch and take part in traditional dancing in Market Square. DUCK TRIAL WEDNESDAY JUNE 3rd MARKET SQUARE Started in 1951 as part of the Festival of Britain celebrations, the Aylesbury Duck Trial tested claims of “married bliss” made by competing couples. The “winners” were a Mr and Mrs C. W. Keen TEAS FOR ELDERLY THURSDAY JUNE 4th TOWN HALL Teas for the elderly were held at the Town Hall (others were held elsewhere).

Here the camera team speeded up the proceedings. WATER FUN FRIDAY JUNE 5th THE VALE POOL The event organised by the Aylesbury and District Swimming Club. Admission was one shilling, attendance: around 3,000 attended. BATHING BEAUTY CONTEST A Bathing Beauty contest was won by Daphne Bennett.

CORONATION BALL FRIDAY JUNE 5th, TOWN HALL, Dancing to Teddy Chapman & his Orchestra, featuring singer Vicky Lee. CHILDREN’S CARNIVAL & SPORTS CHILDREN’S EVENT SATURDAY JUNE 6th ALFRED ROSE PARK. Elizabethan costume was the order of the day at the Children’s Carnival. A traditional Punch and Judy show attracted a mass of smiling faces. On horseback, Angela French, aged nine, won a special prize for her “Queen at the Trooping of the Colour” entry. A children’s talent contest attracted singers and dancers  

OTHER EVENTS & FIREWORKS, ALFRED ROSE PARK Various evening events included judo from RAF Halton experts and wheelchair archery. Before the light failed, field artillery was in action. Many stayed on into the night for a giant bonfire and fireworks display that ended the celebrations. The film was the work of members of the Aylesbury Film Society & Cine Club working in pairs, filming and editing. They were E. East and W.G. Walters (Club Chairman), G.T. Adams and J. Parrott (Club Treasurer), J. Paul (Secretary) and Mrs D. Devereux.

The film had four public showings in Aylesbury, two on each of September 30th and October 1st. Information above from historic copies of the Bucks Herald, held by the British Library and available on-line to subscribers at the British Newspaper Archive.

Digitised copy of 16mm silent film by Aylesbury Cine Club, a film held by the Stewkley Film Archive. 
Film digitisation sponsored by Aylesbury Town Council.

STEWKLEY FILM ARCHIVE (EXTERNAL WEBSITE)