Croxley Green History - Coronation Elizabeth II 1953

Coronation Queen Elizabeth II 1953

Makeshift tables were set up for the childrens' party on the corner of Hazelwood Road and Oakleigh Drive

King George VI died on 6th February 1952. He had been ill for a long time. At the time of his death, Elizabeth, his elder daughter, and her husband Prince Philip were en route to Australia on an official tour on his behalf. They had reached Kenya when word of her father’s death was conveyed to the Queen.

The new Queen’s coronation was arranged for June 2nd 1953. The Croxley Green Society planned a grand celebration for the same day. It was considered to be the best programme organised locally.

Unfortunately, the weather proved unsympathetic and rain showers delayed the start by 30 minutes and the procession eventually started from the Guildhouse at 3.30 pm. It was led by a display illustrating the Court of Elizabeth I followed by the Croxley Green Mummers. Following behind were a series of well known children’s popular nursery rhymes. These included:

Little Miss Muffet (Townswomen’s Guild)
Sing a Song of Sixpence (International Friendship League)
Ding Dong Bell (Methodist Women’s Guild )
Hush a Bye Baby ( Croxley Girl Guides)
Humpty Dumpty (Durrants’ Parents & Teachers Association)
Old King Cole (Guildhouse, Women’s Section)
Tom Tom the Piper’s Son (International Friendship League)
Old Women Who Lived in a Shoe (1st Croxley Scouts)
Simple Simon (British Legion, Woman’s Section)
Cock Robin (Croxley Guild of Sports)

Old Mother Hubbard (Co-operative Women’s Guild)
London Bridge (Croxley Boys’ Club)
Baa Baa Black Sheep (Croxley Labour Party)
Queen of Hearts (All Saints’ Church)
Mary Mary Quite Contrary (Croxley Horticultural Society)
Jack and Jill (Croxley Conservative Association)
Little Boy Blue (Croxley Young Conservatives)
Ride a Cock Horse (Roman Catholic Community)
Pied Piper of Hamelin (Croxley Green Residents’ Association)

(© loaned by John Friendship) Left to Right Marilyn Newman, Roger Friendship, Gill Newman). I seem to be glowing with pride at the costume Mother had made for me to take part in the Pageant to mark the Coronation. It was taken in the rear garden of our house which, then, was 148 (later 110) Winton Drive. (John Friendship)

Oakleigh Drive - The children are ready to enjoy the celebration tea whilst mums and dads get ready to serve them.

Many street parties took place like this one on the corner of Hazelwood Road and Oakleigh Drive

The Croxley Green Coronation Queen and her retinue followed the procession as it made its way around the village to The Green via Watford Road and New Road. At The Green three areas provided entertainment for the assembled crowds. A children’s fancy dress show was judged and Nora Randall of Bateman Close was crowned as ‘Queen’.

There was a display of traditional Maypole dancing and the planting of the commemorative oak sapling. This was performed by Croxley Green’s two eldest residents, Mr& Mrs F Heckford of Dickinson Square. Sadly, the weather worsened and the celebrations had to be abandoned. However, the weather improved sufficiently in the evening for the crowd to enjoy the firework display and the lighting of the bonfire near to Croxley House.

Oakleigh Drive Coronation celebrations 1953

Programme Of Local Events
for the
Urban District of Rickmansworth

During the time of the Coronation and pre Three Rivers District Council (TRDC) the local communities of the Rickmansworth Urban District Council (TRDC) organised individual events to celebrate the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
They included, Croxley Green, Mill End, Maple Cross (inc West Hyde) and Rickmansworth Town.

Newspaper Cuttings from the day