1953 Coronation Celebrations in Hodnet

A copy of the programme for the 1953 Coronation Celebrations was recently discovered in the personal archives of a Parish Councillor. They scanned it and then sent the webteam a copy of the file which is reproduced on the right. Click on the image to enlarge it.
The full wording of the programme is reproduced below.
We wonder how many other residents remember this special event? Did any of you win a prize in the Decorated Sticks, Decorated Bicycles or Fancy Dress competitions? Does anyone still posses photographs of the day which you would be willing to share via the website? Please let us know if you do. (The web team is also looking for other old photos from the area for a new section, so please let contact us if you would like to contribute to this wider project.) Click here to contact the web team.
In contrast to the 1953 event this year’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations are not planned to last until midnight, and so far the Parish Council has not offered to provide buses “to transport Parishioners from outlying districts to the celebrations.” Details of this year’s event can be found on this page.
Update August 2014: More archives similar to this have now been included in the Hodnet Scrapbook section, which is part of our Local History pages.
The full text of the programme is:

PARISH OF HODNET

Plans for Coronation Celebrations, 1953

The Celebrations will be held on the Cricket Ground, commencing at 3 p.m. on Coronation Day, June 2nd, and will consist of:

1. Tea for all children up to the age of 6 years.

2. Distribution of mugs and sweets to children.

3. A programme of children’s sports and country dancing.

4. The provision of sideshows to entertain everyone.

5. Competitions for children – namely:

(a) Decorated Sticks.

(b) Decorated Bicycles.

(c) Fancy Dress.

Children to assemble at Hodnet School at 2-45 p.m., to parade to Cricket Ground.

6. Adult events – Over Fifty’s Race.

Tug of war (Teams of 8), entries as early as possible please to
Mr. R. Major, Hodnet Post Office.

Teas and refreshments will be on sale on the ground.

7. Open Air Dancing (Old Tyme and Modern) on the Cricket Ground, weather permitting, from 8 p.m. until 9-30, followed by a Dance in the Lyon Hall until midnight.

Buses will be available to transport Parishioners from outlying districts to the celebrations.
Details of these and further details of the celebrations will be given in due course on Notices displayed at the following points:- Hodnet Parish Notice Board; The Square, Hodnet; The Post Offices at Hodnet, Marchamley, Wollerton and Peplow.