Page 36 - AIT.cdr

CORONATION YEAR

and Aylesham
1953 was set to
throw its biggest party
ever. Queen Elizabeth
2nd was to be crowned
on June the 2nd 1953.
Aylesham was mobilised
into action; every street
had an organising
committee and were
left to make t heir own
arrangements.
On the big day every street would
be decorated with bunting and The Coronation Queen and Maids
patriotic flags; there was a competition
for the best decorated house and the Greyhound hotel. Those lucky enough Chairman of the south eastern division
best decorated street. to have television could watch the of the N.C.B. After.the crowning
Aylesham had raised £2,000 and coronation on TV. A television would ceremony, the Queen and her maids of
that was used for the Coronation set you back £80 in those days, eight honour, Miss June Roberts of Milner
festivities and every street would have times the average weekly wage. Crescent, and Miss Pauline Vosper,
a street party. Aylesham Senior School had chosen of Aylesham Road: Snowdown made
a triumphant journey through the
Bill Reddish in Burgess Road had our coronation Queen and maids of village.
all us kids involved in decorating honour for the coronation gala and
the street, going up to Spinney Lane sports day put on by the Aylesham There was a huge carnival
woods and coming back with arms Parish Council and held on the welfare procession consisting of fifty floats. Mr.
loaded with yellow bracken to decorate ground on the 12th June. C.E. White, the Manager of Snowdown
all the lamp posts in Burgess; it was The afternoon started off with the Colliery and Mrs White presented the
good fun. crowning of Aylesham’s Coronation carnival prizes; there was a display by
the Aylesham Rego marching maids
When the big day arrived it poured Year Queen, Miss Sheila Owen of who received a huge ovation. For those
down. Emergency plans were put into Burgess Road, by Mrs Woodhouse, that wanted to remain after the sports
operation. Street parties were held in wife of Admiral Woodhouse, there was a fair.
church halls and the Legion Club and
See page 35 “Aylesham’s £2,000 celebrations”
This is an excerpt
from Keith
Owen’s classic SUPPORT
local history Aylesham Heritage
book: Aylesham in Dover Lotto.
Through the Years
1927-1987 Scan the QR code:

Aylesham Heritage Centre

meets every Wednesday at Aylesham House,

Dorman Avenue South - 11am - 2pm
36