By Nick Pollard
As we celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen, a unique event which is unlikely to be repeated, I thought it was appropriate to look back at how Sunbury and Shepperton celebrated her coming to the throne.
When she actually acceded to the throne on 6th February 1952, it was a sad time for the country, because of course her father, the much loved King George VI, had died at the early age of 56. Consequently there were no celebrations, which were saved for her coronation on June 2nd 1953.
For the coronation, street parties were organised in many local roads, as well as parties held for the ‘old folk’ of the district. One such was held for 150 people at the Sunbury Parish Hall in Green Street, with food prepared by the Women’s Voluntary Service and entertainment provid-ed by Manor Players. A prize was given to the oldest man and the oldest woman present, who were aged 90 and 86 respectively, an indication perhaps of the shorter lifespans of the 1950s, as a similar event today would probably have several centenarians present. The highlight of local celebrations however, was the Coronation Festival held at Kempton Park Racecourse, which was attended by over 25,000 people. The event was organised by Sunbury Urban District Council, and admission was free. The programme commenced at 2pm with a mile long parade of local organisations, decorated vehicles and horse drawn carriages, the latter carrying the coronation princesses from each council ward with their maids of honour. The coronation queen was later chosen from amongst the girls, and the winner was 17 year old Ellen Thompson from Wood Road, Shepperton, who received a 180 piece set of china! A short religious service was conducted by the Bishop of Kensington. Music was provided by the Sea Cadet band of T.S. Steadfast, Kingston, whilst sports for children and walking and tug of war events for adults got under way on the course. At the same time there was a horse show and jumping competition. The Army contributed a parachute jump and a motor cycle display, followed by a comic football match in fancy dress organised by Sunbury British Legion. At dusk, and the end of a full eight hours of events, a 45 minute firework display followed by the National Anthem concluded a memorable day.
The Sunbury and Shepperton Local History Society will have a stand in the marquee at the Shepperton Village Fair on Saturday 11th June at Manor Park, with a display about the way the coronation was celebrated locally, and what else was happening here at the time. Do come and meet us!