These pictures give glimpses of Wymondham’s Coronation celebrations in the 20th century, when Wymondham folk certainly went to town!
A postcard written on 22 June 1911, George V’s Coronation Day, from a gentleman in London, who was then off “to see the illuminations”, to George Yaxley of Bowden Terrace, Wymondham.
In an interview with Wymondham stalwart Harry Blazey in 1983 he told me he was six when he enjoyed this children’s bun-fight to celebrate George V’s Coronation in 1911. The party was held on the lawns of Abbotsford in Vicar Street.
A United Church Service followed a band concert, both on the Market Place, to get the festivities to mark George V’s Coronation on 22 June 1911 off to a good start. In that year the population of the town was recorded as 4794.
The Band of the F (Wymondham) Company of the 4th Volunteer Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment played at Edward VII’s Coronation on 9th August 1902 on the King’s Head Meadow and at George V’s, joining the Excelsior Band to play on the Market Place. The man in civilian clothes is Algernon S Wilde, the bandmaster, while Wymondham legend Robert Charles Ayton is behind the drum.
The Norwich Corporation Electricity local depot and showroom in Middleton Street was gaily decorated for the Coronation of George VI and Queen Elizabeth on 12th May 1937. The showroom was situated in Caius House, now occupied by Jarrold, “where advice on any electrical matters will be freely given.”
The Women’s Institute Hall on Norwich Road was packed for a tea for schoolgirls to celebrate the Coronation of George VI and Queen Elizabeth. A similar tea took place for boys at the Fairland Hall. Some events were cancelled or postponed, but once inside the halls the kids enjoyed their treat.
Wymondham and District Ex-Service Men’s Club marked the Coronation of George VI and Queen Elizabeth with a lavish dinner and musical entertainment at a packed Women’s Institute Hall on Norwich Road. Among those on the top table were Lord Walsingham and Mr.E.G.Gooch, Chairman of the then Wymondham Urban District Council. In reply to sending a congratulations to the King the club received a reply, which was read out at the dinner and said “ The King sincerely thanks the members of Wymondham and District Ex-Service Men’s Club, assembled together today, for their loyal greetings and congratulations, which their Majesties much appreciate.”
The Briton Brush Company’s “making” shop was decorated to celebrate the 1937 Coronation. It was here that the heads of paint brushes were fixed to handles.
The preliminary programme for Wymondham’s packed week of celebrations to mark the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
Browick Road School’s lovely tableau to mark the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on 2nd June 1953. On the front row Veronica Blake is the Queen and she is flanked by beefeaters Peter Smith on her right and Keith Lain.
Janet Crane of Ashwellthorpe was Wymondham’s Coronation Carnival Queen for Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation celebrations and flanking her are attendants Christine Walker of Bracon Ash (left) and Doris Bell of Wymondham. Around them are members of the formidable team, which organised the town’s programme, including Mr. W.A.Ogden, the chairman of the committee, 5th from left in the middle row and behind him popular Dr. G.C.Gaynor. Legendary town clerk Tom Turner, second from left in the middle row, was the committee’s secretary and Miss D.M. Clarke, who later became Margaret Reeve, headmistress of Wymondham Secondary Modern School, now Wymondham High Academy, is the lady in the middle row.
On Sunday 31st May a United Divine Service to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation was held in The Priory Gardens and led by United Choirs and the Band of the Salvation Army. About two years earlier the gardens had been opened at the time of The Festival of Britain.
Among entrants in the adults fancy dress parade at the town’s Coronation celebrations in 1953 were left to right Tom Dallison as a sailor, Tony Burton as a chimney sweep and George Mabbutt as movie legend Charlie Chaplin.
