In memory of Queen Elizabeth II: 1926 - 2022
The Coronation of King Charles III
The Coronation Oak
The village's tree for King Edward VII, planted in 1902 and featured to mark the coronation of King Charles III in 2023.
The Coronation Beacon and Family Fun Day
Henfield Parish Council in conjunction with the Baden Powell Guild and Scouts held a day of events on the Rothery Field, culminating in the B.P. Guild lighting the Henfield Platinum Jubilee beacon a little before 9PM. Sparks a-flying and £2 pints were a-drinking as the day wound down and many returned home to watch the Coronation concert.
The Platinum Jubilee Beacon on the Henfield ridgeline, lit for the coronation of Charles III. Image: R. S. Gordon
Henfield has a long tradition of marking royal occasions in style and often in costume. To mark the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II in June 2022, we shared here a selection of photos from jubilees and coronations past. Plus, a selection from the most recent event to be accessioned into the museum collection.
If you have photos or memories of any of these or other royal events that you'd like us to consider for the museum collection, please email us.
If you have photos or memories of any of these or other royal events that you'd like us to consider for the museum collection, please email us.
The Coronation Carnival, 1953
Coronation memories from local children of the Wellsbourne School
From Cris Bolduc (née Harwood), May 2023
'The parade did go right round the village and for little children, I think we did amazingly well to walk so far! The photo you already have on your page was taken on the common, along the main road. The photographer would probably have had their back to the village school. It is possible that is where the parade started from, but I can't remember that! You can also see in the photo I have posted, the other floats behind us all coming DOWN Dropping Holmes.
It would seem logical that we started off at the Common (by the school), Golden Square, Nep Town, Dropping Holmes, past Station, Upper Station Road to the High Street, Golden Square and back onto the Common.
They spoke of the Beefeaters hats. They were bought as plain papier-mache hats and were covered in black crepe paper with the decorations all made out of crepe paper.
I was surprised to hear them saying the sputnik won!! I always thought we won!! I have a silver cup with Wellsbourne School 1953 engraved on it and on the base a shield with EiiR engraved.'
The second image above (received from Cris) was also sent to the Daily Mail, featuring in their coronation spread on 29th April 2023.
It would seem logical that we started off at the Common (by the school), Golden Square, Nep Town, Dropping Holmes, past Station, Upper Station Road to the High Street, Golden Square and back onto the Common.
They spoke of the Beefeaters hats. They were bought as plain papier-mache hats and were covered in black crepe paper with the decorations all made out of crepe paper.
I was surprised to hear them saying the sputnik won!! I always thought we won!! I have a silver cup with Wellsbourne School 1953 engraved on it and on the base a shield with EiiR engraved.'
The second image above (received from Cris) was also sent to the Daily Mail, featuring in their coronation spread on 29th April 2023.
'Wellsbourne Bunch' Horton Hall Farm, 30th July 1952. 'The owner and Headmistress was Mrs Marstrand and here she is kneeling at the back of the group. I am the just 8 year old with the Tshirt and felt hat pulled down on my head! Penelope Guy (was Holden) is next to me: still in touch to this day and I am godmother to her daughter Deborah!' Image C/O Cris Bolduc
1953 Coronation Photo Gallery
The Henfield Belle riverboat float on the Common, 1953 Henfield Coronation Carnival. Photo: Marjorie Baker Collection
Firing the anvil with black powder - traditionally done to test its quality
The Silver Jubilee, 1977
Hot air balloon on Henfield Common, 1977 Silver Jubilee
The Golden Jubilee, 2002
The Diamond Jubilee, 2012
Have any images? Send them through...
The Platinum Jubilee, 2022
The Children's Jubilee Fun Day, Thursday 2nd June
Held on the Kingsfield, events included a tug of war, field sports, crown making and of course a bouncy castle, all under a sky of dramatic cumulus clouds.
The Giant Family Jubilee Picnic and Fancy Dress Competition, Sunday 5th June
Held on Henfield Common, here we see the children's line-up with a mixture of kings and queens, patriotic fare, a suited gent, superheroes and Mario and Luigi! Our Costume Curator awards the commemorative medals (and sweets) and we see the formal opening by the Vicar, his dog and the Parish Council Chair, marooned in a lush field of green, while the Patcham Silver Band prepare for an outing of 'Sussex by the Sea'.
The Children's Competition
The Children's Competition
The entrants' line-up
The Adults' Competition
The entrants' line-up
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