Glossop's Celebrations of The Coronation of Edward VII, 1902.


The Advertiser of 20 June 1902 recalled the celebrations which accompanied the Diamond Jubilee of 1897, festivities “such as had never before been equalled in the borough”. Together with the expectation that “the arrangements for the Coronation rejoicings are such as to eclipse all previous efforts, the only thing to ensure that desired effect being favourable weather”.

Captain Edward Partington, J.P, was once again one foremost in providing funding for “a generous repast and entertainment for the members of every Friendly Society in the Glossop district”, expected to be over six thousand in total! In addition, Captain Partington also allowed sixpence per head for refreshments

Councillor Herbert Partington, J.P , and Mrs. Herbert Partington, P.L.G., made sure that people who had to resort to the Union for subsistence were not forgotten. The inmates of the Union were treated to a dinner and entertainment by Councillor and Mrs. Partington, and afterwards suitably entertained. Adults in receipt of out-relief receives 1s. extra from Councillor and Mrs. Partington and children 6d. each. On Friday the inmates will again be provided with a good repast by the guardians.

The Mayor (Capt. S. H. Wood) funded a treat and commemorative medals for day school children. This caused disappointment for those connected with the Sunday schools of the district, who did not qualify because they were working “full time". When Councillor Herbert Partington heard of that he made available 9d. per head for a treat to the whole of the Sunday school scholars in the borough.

On the Hadfield side of the borough the school children were entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Edward Platt, of Mersey Bank, whilst at Padfield the Sunday school scholars were given a treat funded Councillor William Sargentson.

The council organised an official programme of festivities.

The Programme of Events.

Cover of the Glossop events programme
Cover of the Glossop events programme

At Glossop
Wednesday, 25th June, 1902.
8:30 a.m.—Procession with Materials for Bonfire from the Norfolk Square, at 8 a.m.
A Procession of carts, lurries, &c., will be formed at Norfolk Square, and proceed by way of Norfolk-street, Howard-street, and North-road to Mouslow.
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.-Tea in Victoria Hall for all persons of 60 years and upwards, residing in the Borough of Glossop. The tea will be provided by the kindness and at the expense of Mrs. S. Wood.
Thursday, 26th June, 1902.
12:00 noon.—Assembly of Day School Scholars at the Football Field, North-road, at 12o'clock noon.
The Western Section of Schools, comprising Brookfield, Dinting, Zion, St. Mary's, and St. James', will approach by High-street West and Shrewsbury-street, and enter the field at the west end near the railway arch.
The Eastern Section, comprising Whitfield Endowed, Littlemoor, Talbot-street, Wesley (High-street), All Saints', Wesley (Old Glossop), and Duke of Norfolk's, will approach by Fauvel-road or Lord-street, and Spire Hollin and North-road, and enter the field by the north gate in North-road.
All the scholars to be massed opposite the permanent stand.
Airs to be sung at the Football Field—'God save the King,' 'God bless the Prince of Wales,' 'Home, sweet home,' and 'Auld Lang Syne.' Conductor: Mr. W. P. Fairclough, Mus. Bac., F.R.C.O.
The public will enter by the south gate in North-road, near the railway bridge, and assemble on the slopes.
The scholars will leave the field by the same gates by which they enter, and return to their respective schools, where they will be entertained by the kindness and at the expense of His Worship the Mayor.
1:30 p.m.—Gathering of Friendly Societies in Norfolk Square, at 1:30 p.m.
The various Friendly Societies in the Borough of Glossop will assemble at half-past one o'clock, in the Market Ground (on the Victoria-street side) in the positions to be allotted, and will form in procession (four abreast) and proceed through the Market Hall, and thence by way of the exit in High-street West to Norfolk Square, where they will take up positions as directed.
1:50 p.m.—The Glossop Old Prize Band and the St. Mary's Drum and Fife Band will play in the Norfolk Square.
2:00 p.m.—Distribution of Medals and Souvenirs, in Norfolk Square, at 2 p.m., to the Regulars and Volunteers who have been engaged in the South African Campaign.
The Volunteers will form in line in front of the Town Hall.
The National Anthem will be sung in the Norfolk Square by the assembly.
His Worship the Mayor. S. H. Wood, Esq., J.P., D.L.. will, by permission of the Commander-in-Chief of the British Forces, distribute medals to Regulars who have served in South Africa, including a Distinguished Service Medal to Richard Driver, of the 38th Battery Royal Field Artillery.
Captain Partington, J.P., will distribute souvenirs to the Glossop Volunteer Corps who have served in the South African campaign.
2:30 p.m.—Procession of Friendly Societies, at 2:30 p.m.
The Friendly Societies will walk in procession from Norfolk Square, up High-street East, pass through the grounds of Captain Partington, J.P., Easton, and thence to the corner of Hall-street, proceed round the fountain, and assemble in High-street East, between the fountain and Corn Mill Bridge. The National Anthem will then be sung, after which the societies will disperse and return to their respective lodges, where they will be entertained

Entry ticket for Football Ground
Entry ticket for Football Ground

Bands
Morning.
9:15 to 12.—St. Mary's Drum and Fife Band will play selections on the Football Field, North-road
Noon.
12 o'clock.—The Glossop Old Prize Band will play the accompaniments to the airs on the Football Field, North-road.
Afternoon and Evening.
1:50 p.m.—The Glossop Old Prize Band and the St. Mary's Drum and Fife Band will play for the assembly in Norfolk Square, and for the procession of Friendly Societies.
3 to 5 p.m.—Mr. A. Sidebottom's String Band will play in the Park
6 to 11 p.m.—The Glossop Old Prize Band and the St. Mary's Dram and Fife Band will play selections in the Norfolk Square.
6:30 to 8:30.—Mr. A. Sidebottom's String Band will play in the Park.
Bonfire.
9:45 p.m.—A bonfire (the expense of which will be kindly defrayed by some of the principal firms and private individuals in Glossop) will be lighted on Mouslow, at a quarter to ten at night.
Illuminations and Fireworks.
The Town Hall, Victoria Hall, and Free Library will be illuminated at night.
The Technical School will be illuminated by the Urban Electric Supply Company, Limited.
The Right Honourable Lord Howard of Glossop is kindly illuminating Norfolk Square, and providing a Fireworks Display in the Market Ground, on Thursday night at 10 o'clock.
The illuminations will be continued also on Friday night.
A Special Train will run from Hadfield to Glossop, leaving Hadfield at 1:45 p.m., and returning from Glossop at 3:45 p.m.
Friday, 27th June, 1902.
Tea for Sunday School scholars.
Tea for Sunday School scholars at the various schools, kindly provided by Councillor Herbert Partington, J.P., and distribution of medals, kindly provided by His Worship tho Mayor.
(By order)
Theo. Walter Ellison, Town Clerk.
19th June, 1902.

Friendly Societies Invitation
Friendly Societies Invitation

At Hadfield.
Wednesday, 25th June, 1902.
4:30 to 7 p.m.—Tea to inhabitants of Hadfield Ward, of 60 years of age and upwards.
Tea will be provided, by the kindness and at the expense of Mrs. S. Wood, in St. Andrew's School, Hadfield, from 4 30 to 7 p.m.
Thursday, 26th June.
12 noon.—Assembly of Day School Scholars in the Station Yard.
The scholars will assemble in the Station Yard, at Hadfield Railway Station, at 12 o'clock noon.
The scholars will wear the medals kindly provided by His Worship the Mayor, which will be distributed at the schools before the scholars proceed to the yard.
Airs to be sung—'God save the King,' 'God bless the Prince of Wales,' 'Home, sweet home,' and 'Auld Lung Syne.' Conductor : Mr. J. J. Roberts, A.R.C.O. (Med.) R A.M.
The public will be admitted to the yard.
The Royal George Band (Greenfield) will play the accompaniments to the airs.
The scholars will afterwards return to their respective schools, where they will be entertained at the expense of His Worship the Mayor.
1 45 p.m.—A Special Train leaves Hadfield for Glossop.
A special train leaves Hadfield for Glossop at 1:45 p.m. to enable the inhabitants to witness the distribution of medals to Regulars and Volunteers who have served in South Africa, and the gathering and procession of Friendly Societies. For particulars see programme of festivities at Glossop. The special train will return from Glossop at 3 45 p.m.
2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m.—The Royal George Band will play Selections.
The Band will play selections in the late Mr. Warrington's field, Green-lane, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 9 p.m.
9:45 p.m.—Display of Fireworks.
A display of fireworks will be provided in Mr. Swift's field (near Mr. Eastham's house), Park-road.
9:45 p.m.—Bonfire at Mouslow.
Friday, 27th June
Tea for Sunday School Scholars.
Tea for Sunday School scholars, teachers, and officers, whose names are not on any of the registers of the Day Schools, to be provided at the various schools, by the kindness and at the expense of Councillor Herbert Partington, J.P. Also distribution of medals to the above, kindly provided at the expense of His Worship the Mayor.
Saturday, 28th June.
2 p.m.—Mrs. Platt's Entertainment for Day Scholars.
The Day scholars will assemble at their various schools at two o'clock in the afternoon, and proceed to Mersey Bank, the residence of Edward Platt, Esq., J P., arriving at 2 30 p.m.
The airs to be sung will be the same as on the Thursday. Conductor : Rev. J. Hadfield, R.D.
The scholars will return to their schools, where they will be entertained by the kindness and at the expense of Mrs. Platt.
4:30 p.m.—Selections by the Band, Games, &c.
The scholars will again proceed to Mersey Bank to take part in games, &c., and the Hollingworth Brass Band will play selections.
(By order)
Theo. Walter Ellison, Town Clerk.
19th June, 1902.

Cover of the Hadfield events programme
Cover of the Hadfield events programme


Coronation Ox Roasting at Glossop.

In addition to the official programme there was also an Ox Roasting held on the Market Ground. The event was the idea of Councillor Brook Furniss, the Host of the Albion Inn, Glossop, and a few of his friends. A subscription was raised, 120 odd subscribers paying half-a-crown or so, to fund the purchase of the ox and a representative committee was formed, to organise the event. Councillor H. Hadfield was appointed as chairman of the committee with Mr J. Merry as treasurer and Mr J. W. Sykes as secretary. Committee members were: Councillor H. Partington, Councillor B. Furniss, Mr J. G. Hodgson (Chief Constable), Mr F. W. G. Moran, Mr Noah Thornley, Mr A. Patchett, Mr J. Bennett (High Street East), Mr Robert Holland, Mr W. Jepson, Mr J. Lamb, and Professor Harris.

Responsibility for the purchase of the ox was given to Mr Noah Thornley, butcher of Victoria Street, who undertook its preparation with Mr A. Patchett. A large roasting fireplace was constructed on the Market Ground between the rails and Victoria Street, the materials and cartage being provided by Mr Charles Fielding, contractor. A portion of the iron-work apparatus needed for the cooking was lent by the Glossop Ironworks Co. The fireplace was erected by Mr Barlow with Councillor H. Hadfield and Mr Robert Holland organising the building of the spit, assisted by other friends.

The fire was lit at midnight on Wednesday and on Thursday morning the ox was taken from Mr Thornley's slaughter-house on a lurry lent by Councillor H. Partington. The cooking was supervised by Mr John Bradbury, of Princess street, assisted by Mr Fred Redfern. During the whole of Thursday hundreds witnessed the roasting process.

Ox roast
Ox Roast. The photo shows the original facade of what are now the Municipal Buildings before alteration in the early 1920s.
The colonnaded entrance in 1902 was to the Fish Market, customers passing through this temple-like entrance, past the fish stalls to the general market.

At midnight on Thursday night the fire was allowed to burn down and in the morning a sheet was thrown over the roasted ox, hiding it from view until the time appointed for carving operations - one o'clock.

There being a great demand for the roast, subscribers were given priority and were allowed six tickets each. Tickets were issued to the public at a charge of 2d each, the demand being so great that about £4 was realised. One of the committee was reputed to have said "We could have disposed of another ox had we had one, so great was the demand." The poor were not forgotten, and a list submitted by the Chief Constable ensured that some of the poorer families should have a chance of tasting the Coronation ox.

Carving was started punctually at one o'clock by Mr J. Pemberton, Mr A. Patchett, Mr J. Bradbury, and Mr Platt. 200 loaves of bread and 200 cakes were at hand to make up the sandwiches.

To wash down the sandwiches a supply of the beer had been obtained. Half-a-barrel of beer had been given by Messrs Boddington, quarter-barrel from Messrs Groves and Whitnall, and two barrels from Councillor H. Partington The Chesters Brewery Co. gave a guinea to the funds. On being served with his portion of ox, each man had a part of his ticket returned, which entitled him to half-a-pint of beer, and this was served in the fish market.

Everything passed off without hitch with acknowledgement being given to the Chief Constable and others for the admirable manner in which they attended to and facilitated the arrangements for Glossop's big outdoor feast.


Old Glossop Cross
As a memorial of the Coronation of King Edward VII. the Parochial Church Council of All Saints Church, Glossop, initiated a movement to cap the shaft with a permanent cross. After the cross had been moved, the stone was worked and placed in position gratuitously, by Mr. Sam Goddard.



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Last updated: 7 March 2022