Sutton in Ash, and the Coronation
what happened locally
By Marg Thorne
George VI and the Coronation of Elizabeth II
In the Sutton area, a letter of sympathy from the Chair and clerk of the Council was sent to the Queen Mother on behalf of the town. The order was later given that on the day of King George VI’s funeral, all colliery sirens would sound at 2pm and at 2 minutes past 2pm to mark the duration of the official silence. At the HQ of No 4 area of the NCB, New Hucknall said every effort would be made to synchronize the sirens. They were steam operated, and used because they had a sound which people would not confuse with a fire alarm.
Mansfield heard Princess Elizabeth proclaimed Queen twice, at noon, and later in the day from the steps of the town hall. Bugle fanfares and the National Anthem preceded each announcement.
St Michaels Church held a requiem service. It also held a memorial. During the memorial service at St Michaels, two of the King’s favourite hymns were played. “The King of Love my Shepherd is,” and “Abide with Me.”
At St Mary’s Church the tenor bell tolled 56 times between 1:30 and 2pm at half minute intervals, which replicated what was happening at the time – one for every year of the King's life. Guides, Scouts, Cubs and the British Legion presented their standards at the parish church altar
Local cinemas did not open till 6pm out of respect, but shops were allowed to open all day, as it was the Queen’s wish that shops and businesses did not close, but that they recognised 2mins silence.
Teversal Church, Huthwaite Church and St Marys held funeral services “for the school children,” as well as commemoration services. St Marys also had 2 requiem services, with a united Non-conformist commemoration service being held at Outram St Methodists, attended by the Chairman of Sutton Council.
Local lady Betty Crafts of Willowbridge Lane wrote a special poem called "An Empire Mourns"
Upon a tiny village church, a standard flies half mast
As muffled bells are sadly tolled, A sovereigns life is past.
Within a lodge in distant realm comes sorrow, hard and keen,
Whilst hushed and reverent multitudes keep silence with their queen
And as with courage she prepares her heavy load to bear,
"God grant her strength and fortitude" is now the Empires prayer.
The Coronation of Elizabeth took place on June 2nd 1953
Various Committee's had been set up to ensure everything ran smoothly. The executive Committee under the direction of Councillor J.A. Percival consisted of Councillor Mrs P.M. Brown; Councillor J.D. Bonser; Councillor C.I. Attewell; Councillor J. Buxton; Councillor J.G. Dobb; Councillor C.E. Holland; Councillor F.V. Marshall; Councillor R. Percival; Councillor J.B. Stuart; Councillor T.H. Taylor; Councillor F.G. White; Councillor E White M.B.E; Mrs E Brownlow; Mr J D Clarke; Mr A.C. Momk; Mr J. Sanderson; Mr G.W. Bacon; Mr D. Gillett; Rev W.E.A. Pugh; Mr T. Stimpson; Mr J.S.Sanson; and Mr T.A. Walters
Sutton’s events began on 30th May 1953 with a carnival held on the Lawn Pleasure Grounds.
A procession of decorated vehicles went from Devonshire Square, via Priestsic Road, Mansfield Road, Outram Street, Forest Street and Station Road through to the Lawn Pleasure Grounds. After which came the official opening of the carnival. At 3pm Councillor J.D. Bonser, and the Chairman, Councillor J.A. Percival opened the day’s events. Councillor Percival later presented prizes for the best decorated trade vehicles. 1st , 2nd and 3rd places were given - £5, £3, and £2;
Some of the attractions for the day were The Boys of Lowdham Grange, Punch and Judy, Jean Tomlinson’s School of Dancing, Jotunheim Alsations, Eric Hawkesworth the Magician, Folk Dancing from both Eastbourne and Westboune Schools, Square Dancing from the Starry Night Ballroom, The Newark Imperials Carnival Band, Sutton Falcons Motor Cycle Club together with a Motor Cycle Gymkhana. Various childrens’ sporting events took place - sack race, skipping race, egg and spoon race, flat race and relays Later it was “Dancing on the Lawn.”
Alongside the Arena events was Bowling, organised by the Sutton Lawn Bowling Club. Prizes of 10/- and 5/- for first and second in the ladies bowling, and £1 and 10/- in the men’s bowling section. There was also tennis on the Lawn courts at the same time.
Children could hop on the miniature railway, roundabouts, or swings, and there was boating on the Lawn Dam. Various side shows were organised by the local collieries.
31st May,
The day started with Rev Pugh and the United Fraternal of Clergy and Ministers taking a service. This began at 3pm with The National Anthem, and carried on as a church service accompanied by the Huthwaite Prize Band conducted by Chas A Cooper
Taking part were Rev G Neville, Rev E K Fox, Lieut. W Swansbury, Rev R W Taylor, Rev H Jenkins, Rev J V Thomas and Rev W E A Pugh.
At 8pm, the Huthwaite Prize band and Sutton in Ashfield Musical Society (Choral Section), conducted by Mr S Paling and Mr Chas A Cooper led Community Hymn Singing, which finished with the National Anthem.
1st June
Judging took place of the various streets, houses and businesses in the area which had been decorated with red white and blue in honour of the Queen’s Coronation.
2nd June 1953 – Coronation Day
Prizes were presented for the best decorated buildings which were judged the previous day. Judges were A E Wingrove, C A Morley and G L White for the streets, and E Coates, W Makinson and M Griffiths for the houses. All were representatives of the chamber of trade
Streets – prizes were 1st , 2nd and 3rd were £10, £5, and £3
Businesses - prizes 1st , 2nd and 3rd were £10, £5, and £3
Houses (detached) - prizes 1st, 2nd and 3 rd were £5, £3, and £2
Houses (other) – prizes 1st, 2nd and 3 rd were £5, £3, and £2
A gift of 2 guineas was given to each child born on the day of the Coronation, whose parents lived in the Sutton UD
At 10:15 pm, A commemoration Beacon was lit on the Lammas Recreation Ground. This was organised by the 2nd Sutton (St Marys) Boy Scouts. It followed The flag ceremonies beginning at 6:30pm with Breaking of the Flags, and Lowering at 10:00pm.
St Mary’s Church, Sutton; St Andrews Church, Skegby, St Katherine’s Church, Teversal; All Saints Church, Stanton Hill; and All Saints Church, Huthwaite were all floodlit.
Thursday 4th June
St Michaels Church hosted a performance of the comic opera “Merrie England” in the hall. Principals were Fay Chappell (Bessie), Wilfred Clarke (Essex), Claude Gamble (Raleigh), Estelle Bacon (Jill), Ivor Radford (Wilkins) and Barbara Merry (Queen Elizabeth). They were supported by the Sutton Evening Institute Choir. The conductor was Sam Paling, and they were accompanied by Pianists Sydney F Crofts and Alan Gregson.