I recall Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation in 1953 with what to me are clear and quite distinct memories. In truth that’s probably not that accurate as in June 1953 I was 4 years of age – just a month older than the new Queen’s eldest child. What I do remember, though, is a story my dad used to tell for the rest of his long life and that was how on that day being the only TV owners on the street we invited all our family, neighbours and friends to join us as we gathered round this 12 inch bakelite box beaming what to me was magic into the corner of the room. Dad, sadly didn’t see much of it as he reckons that on June 2 he spent at least 3 hours either making rather posh ham sandwhiches or topping up tea cups whilst our guests had a whale of a time.
Last Saturday’s Coronation was very, very different. Wherever you chose to watch it the bakelite box is a thing of the past and has now been replaced with either a giant flat screen or from what I gather the vast majority of those of us under a certain age (not me) will have simply called it up on their digital watch, their mobile, their tablet or a laptop.
Whatever means of communication we used few can deny that those responsible for planning, staging and broadcasting Charles III coronation did a superb job.
As for the Coronation Concert the following evening, that to me was almost beyond description. Ranging from a community choir made of 300 amatuer singers from across the UK to (apparently) the much anticipated rebirth of pop idols Take That. OK so perhaps some of the variety and range was a bit full on but the technical wizardry was at times mesmerizing, in particulat the incredible use of drones.
Sandwiched in between was of course our Big Lunch. Nigh on 100 people, some seemingly determined to eat for a week came together with what little was left being hand delivered to a similar community event on the Lingfields.
Above – without the aid of either drones or lasars you can see a selection of pictures from the event which we hope you all enjoyed.