Celebrations

Coronation of George V in 1911

Celebrating the Coronation of George V in 1911.

Coronation Day 1937

To enable a flag to be flown at half-mast when King George V died in January 1936 a temporary flag-pole had to be tied to one of the tower embattlements because the old one had blown down.

Arrangements had to be made for a new one to be erected in time for the coronation of King George VI.

The new flag-staff was erected by Messrs. Dawson of Bristol. It is a fine lofty pole and rises many feet above the pinnacles. Now it remains to purchase a Union Jack, and it will doubtless have to be of good strong material to stand the strain of rain and storm in that elevated position.

As far as I can gather there was a flag-staff on the tower for the coronation of King George V, but about 20 or more years ago this was blown down and was for a long time lying flat across the embattlements. Capt. Wilson of South Hill made arrangements for erecting another, but was killed shortly after in the Great War, and his plans were never carried out. (May 1936)

Coronation Day 1953

A full day of celebrations at Bradworthy began with a peal of bells at 9.30am.

The Parish Church was crammed for a combined service. The Rev. A.E. Dobson (Vicar) officiated, assisted by the Rev. Bernard Moss (Methodist Minister). The combined choir was conducted by Mr. H. J. Wickett with Miss Joan Kerslake at the organ.

Programme

A programme of sports for young and old occupied the afternoon.

Large numbers of parishioners, particularly the children and old people took advantage of television which through the kindness of H.J. Wickett was in view all day in the Church Room. Tea was provided for all and the children were presented with souvenir mugs by Miss Cook (President of the Women’s Institute).

In the evening there were two presentations of a pageant play with its setting in the first Elizabethan era. The writer and producer (Miss M. Balston) and all taking part were parishioners. Musical interludes were arranged by Mrs Winifred Worthy.

The Square was gaily beflagged with arches of laurels at the north and west entrances.

The Grand Finale was a bonfire on Bradworthy Moor with dancing to the music of an accordion band. The fire was lit by 91 year old Richard Bond.

A number of cherry trees were planted on the Broad Hill to commemorate the Coronation.

Mass Viewing
The news that Bradworthy is planning to see the Coronation through communal television must make us wonder whether some of the larger towns and villages in North Devon have completely overlooked the potentialities of such a plan. In Barnstaple, for instance, there is to be no mass television apparently, although it was called for most enthusiastically when the local celebrations were originally discussed. It can hardly have been dropped on financial considerations: If Bradworthy can afford this one-day luxury, surely Barnstaple cannot find it too dear. (April 1953)


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