Independent Leyton Orient Forum

I got a pencil & a book when I was at school. I still have the propelling pencil. But I loved the book so much I must have worn it out! We didn't have a street party or fancy dress, but I remember Woolworths had as much Coronation house decorations as at Christmas time. I was sent over to Seven Kings to my brother's mother-in-law's house, to watch it on TV. I can remember there was a floral crown of bedding plants at Seven Kings station. My mum & Auntie Gwen went to Central London. They got very wet and a poor view!
Anyone know if schools will dish out any momentoes this time? I see little evidence of the Great British Public being very moved by this Coronation. As said elsewhere, the late Queen was young & quite pretty in 1953. King Charles III & his missus is quite something else. Now if an aged Diana had still been around, I reckon she would have aged quite well and it would have been a very different story.
Anyone got any memories of 1953? Personally, I think if this Coronation falls very flat it could be bad news for the British Monarchy. Then again Charlie Boy is probably a better bet for Head of State, than say Young Mr Biden or Donald Trump.

Has to be remembered that the last coronation was during a time of huge austerity following the war. Most people were delighted to have a huge amount of money spent on the coronation. It was seen as a moment in time to break out from the austerity and to build a new future. This had a good start with the Festival of Britain in 1951 and a young pretty monarch with a couple of young kids really caught the imagination and support.
Looking at old photos you can see that coronations as far back as Queen Victoria's were occasions for decorating streets, hanging out the bunting and photos on public buildings, shops etc. I've got a collection of newspapers from 1953 showing how excited everyone was and how the build up to big day was incredible. My dad had a TV so we, and many neighbours crammed into our living room for what was an amazing spectacle. The black and white of those days seemed to pick up all the gold and glitter of the costumes, crown jewels etc - amazing.
Perhaps, in the past 70 years and with all the changes in British mood and life, such extravagance and awe and respect for monarchy of 1953 will never return - and maybe a good thing. Compared to 1953 this coming coronation will have an Abbey full of the pomp and ceremony but in much quicker time - can't wait to hear Handel's Zadok the Priest when Charles is anointed - and with a fraction of the cost, after all, we haven't made new crown jewels; they'll just come out of the Tower where they've been making a fortune out of tourists, to the Abbey where you have to pay to go in and look around. It's what we've come to expect and why not.
My wife will be 70 in November; hard to believe this will be her first coronation. I was nearly 5 in 1953 and in all those years since, my love of British history has sharpened my thankfulness that our head of state is a monarch - Long live the King!

I've still got my Edward VIII coronation mug, does anyone know how much it's worth ?

Remember street party in Dunlace Road - which I believe was the road where Orient were founded some years before.

Neptune's Spear wrote: ↑Thu Apr 27, 2023 11:43 am I've still got my Edward VIII coronation mug, does anyone know how much it's worth ?

Florin ?