EARLS COLNE HERITAGE MUSEUM
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Earls Colne celebrated Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887 with a programme of activities which became traditional for future royal events.
A procession made its way from the Cricket meadow to the Priory where sports and refreshments were followed by an evening of dancing and fireworks.
A procession made its way from the Cricket meadow to the Priory where sports and refreshments were followed by an evening of dancing and fireworks.
A triumphal arch spanned the High Street, built by the carpenter Charles Wash. An oak tree was planted at the junction of Park Lane and Church Hill.
Another memento of the occasion is still visible.
Having invited donations from villagers, a fund-raising committee chaired by the curate, the Revd Theophilus Chute, decided to install a Jubilee Clock in the church tower.
Having invited donations from villagers, a fund-
For Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897, the Anchor pub at Colneford Bridge put out the flags and nearby residents in their ‘Sunday best’ posed for Mr Tyler’s photograph.
Other festivities were taking place on the green in the distance.
Other festivities were taking place on the green in the distance.
A popular event, first staged in 1887, was a comedy cricket match between the ‘Gentlemen’ and the ‘Clowns’ with the umpire dressed as a policeman, to try to keep order.
The Coronation of King Edward VII gave an opportunity for local businesses to compete with their decorations. George Wenden is proud to pose outside of his butcher’s shop in the High Street opposite the Lion Inn.
Just before the Coronation of King George V in 1911, a grand Empire Pageant was staged on the lawns of The Priory. A Barge brought Britannia across the ornamental lake, to be greeted by representatives from the British Isles and the colonies.
The Silver Jubilee of King George V in 1935 was celebrated by a carnival procession. The Carnival Queen, Elsie Webb, and her attendants are seen boarding a horse-drawn coach in the Atlas Works yard before setting off to join the parade.
For the Coronation of King George VI in 1937, the Carnival Queen had a less ornate carriage than her predecessor.
Again, local businesses competed with their decorations and Mr Hector Witney won a prize for the elaborate transformation of his barber;s shop.
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Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
An innovation for the 1953 Coronation was the installation, by electrical dealer Eddie Thomson, of a television set at the Grammar School so that the ‘old folks’ could watch the broadcast ceremony taking place in Westminster Abbey.
Despite the heavy rain, a procession of floats made its way from Colneford Hill to the Cricket Meadow, and Don Stedman decorated his familiar pony and trap for the occasion. However, the bad weather caused the postponement of the children’s sports and firework display.
The procession for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee was led by the Revd Stuart Holden, in his other official capacity as Town Crier.
A Flower Festival was on display in the parish church. This arrangement in the church porch uses one of the small ‘Atlas’ grinding mills made by R Hunt & Co. .
The Jubilee celebrations ended with a bonfire and firework display
Over the years there have been numerous gatherings for social occasions, but the story of carnivals, fairs, fêtes and flower shows will be the subject of later exhibitions.
From their formation in 1880, the Earls Colne Band provided musical accompaniment for many local events, but sad to say their final performance was in 1953.
From their formation in 1880, the Earls Colne Band provided musical accompaniment for many local events, but sad to say their final performance was in 1953.
1880
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1919
1953