Glossop's Celebrations of The Coronation of George VI, 1937.

By 1937 the presence of wealthy benefactors in the town, who could be relied upon to fund such celebrations, was a thing of the past. It was, therefore, left to the Town Council to organise the festivities.

Cover of the Municipal events programme

The Municipal Programme of Events.

Saturday, 8th May—
Three Oak Saplings will be Planted in Commemoration as follows:
3-0 p.m. (a) One in Manor Park by the Deputy Mayor (Councillor Beckmann.)
3-30 p.m. (b) One in Bankswood Park by Alderman Platt, the senior member of the Council,
4-0 p.m. (c) One in Howard Park by His Worship the Mayor.
An Oak Sapling will immediately afterwards be planted in Howard Park to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of His Majesty King George V (May, 1935), by Councillor Farnsworth, the then Mayor.

Monday, 10th May—
The Scholars attending the Schools will hold a Tea Party at the Schools at 4 p.m. when a Souvenir Spoon will be presented to each Scholar on the Attendance Register.

Tuesday, 11th May (Coronation Eve)—
A Commemorative Ball will be held at Victoria Hall, from 8 p.m. on Coronation Eve, to 3 a.m. on Coronation Day. Mr. E. M. Boardman, Borough Treasurer, is the Secretary to the Coronation Ball Committee.

Wednesday, 12th May—
10-0 a.m. The Town Council will meet in the Council Chamber.
10-20 a.m. The Civic Procession will form under the direction of the Chief Constable as Chief Marshal, and proceed to Divine Service at the Parish Church, Old Glossop.
2-30 p.m. The Scholars of the various Day Schools will assemble for singing, country dancing and sports as follows:
(a) From the Schools in the Glossop portion of the Borough, at North Road Cricket Ground. His Worship the Mayor will preside and the Mayoress (Mrs. Oulton) will present the prizes.
(b) From the Hadfield Schools of the Borough, at Bankswood Park, Hadfield. Councillor Beckmann, Deputy Mayor, will preside and the Deputy Mayoress (Mrs. Beckmann) will present the prizes.
The following Songs will be rendered: "God save the King"; "Land of Hope and Glory"; "Jerusalem"; "Come Lasses and Lads"
Conductors— Glossop: Mr. W. V. Furniss. Hadfield: Mr. C. A. Blackman.
Bands— Glossop: Glossop Military. Hadfield: Glossop Old Prize.
(Secretary to the Head Teachers' Sub-Committee, Mr. J. W. S. Fielding.)
7-0 p.m. The Glossop Military Band will play in Manor Park and the Glossop Old Prize Band in Bankswood Park. Selections and Dance Music until dusk.
A Beacon erected by the local B. P. Scouts and Rovers on the "Nab" will be fired at 10 p.m.
The Church Bells at Glossop Parish Church, Whitfield Church and Dinting Church, will be rung intermittently during the day.

Saturday 15th May— Parties and Concerts will be held for Old Folks over 65 years of age, blind persons and disabled Ex-servicemen. These parties will be held at Victoria Hall, Glossop, and Liberal Hall, Hadfield, respectively. The tea will be on the table at 4 p.m. and the concert will commence at 5-30 p.m. Gifts of Boxes of Chocolate and Tobacco will be distributed to the guests and Gift Parcels will be distributed to those who are unable to attend the parties. (Secretary to the Old Folks, etc. Party Committee: Mr. H. Dane, Sanitary Inspector.)

The Tree Planting.

The Advertiser of 14 May 1937 reported that “Commemorative oak saplings, which may be said to typify the steadfastness and sturdiness of the British character, were proudly planted in Glossop's three parks on Saturday afternoon last as mementoes of the Coronation, and the proceedings were of a very interesting nature and attended by members of the Town Council, Borough Officials, and other friends.”.

The first planting ceremony took place near the lower bowling green in Manor Park, the sapling being planted by Councillor Beckmann. The iron tablet bore the inscription:—
"This tree was planted to commemorate the Coronation of their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth by Councillor R. A. Beckmann. J.P. Deputy Mayor, May 1937".

The company then proceeded by bus and motors to Bankswood Park, Hadfield, where an oak sapling was planted by Alderman John Platt, the senior member of the Council. The iron label placed in position bore the inscription:—
"This tree was planted to commemorate the Coronation of their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth by Alderman John Platt, senior member of the Council, May, 1937."

Councillor Beckmann planting the sapling in Manor Park

Alderman Platt performing the tree planting ceremony in Bankswood, Hadfield

Later the party motored to Howard Park, where an addition of two oak saplings was made to the oak trees which adorn the beautiful little park.
The first was planted by his Worship the Mayor (Councillor J. Hague. J.P.). The commemorative tablet bore the inscription:—
"This tree was planted to commemorate the Coronation of their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth by Councillor John Hague. J.P. Mayor, May, 1937."
An oak sapling was next planted near by to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of His Majesty King George V (May 1935) by Councillor T. Farnsworth, the then Mayor. The accompanying tablet bore the inscription:—
"This tree was planted to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of His Majesty King George V by Councillor T. Farnsworth. Mayor, 1935."

Councillor Hague planting the sapling in Howard Park

Councillor Farnsworth planting the sapling commemorating the Silver Jubilee in Howard Park

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Last updated: 7 March 2022