Celebrations in the Shire: Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation, 1953

As the celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee get underway, we've looked out some material related to her Coronation in June 1953. Aberdeenshire's celebrations were widespread, as detailed in the minutes of Aberdeen County, Kincardine County and Banff County. Many of the schools in Aberdeenshire were included in these activities. The Education Committee of the County Council of Aberdeen were keen that an address to the pupils conveyed the immensity of the occasion. The message notes the importance of the wireless to bring the celebrations to the people of the NE of Scotland:

The school log books, a daily or weekly log of events that headteachers were required to keep, provide a great record of each school's activities for the Queen's Coronation and an insight into the excitement of the day. Below are some examples - 

Below is the entry for Fettercairn School, where 'each pupil was given a new florin as a Coronation gift from Kincardineshire Education Committee and a new shilling from Laurencekirk Savings Bank'. The entry also marks the school holiday and the singing of the National Anthem:

Bervie School attended the Market Cross Ceremony, where Provost Beattie proclaimed the accession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second:

Banchory Devenick's entry for the Coronation describes the school trip to view the Coronation Film at the Capitol Picture House in Aberdeen - in colour! 

Pupils from Maud School gave an Empire Pageant, which was a success 'in spite of the wet weather'. Tea was served, and later that day a torch was carried from the square to Bank Hall, where a bonfire was lit:

Fraserburgh held a special Coronation service conducted by Reverend R. E. Kerrin. Each pupil received a copy of the Church Service, Lord Aberdeen's address, a Coronation leaflet, a box of chocolates and a medal:

The items below are these, but collected from the Bridge of Don School:

For both Inverurie and Turriff, we hold material for their Coronation Committees. These committees were created to ensure the celebrations and activities surrounding the coronation were successful. Inverurie's Coronation Committee (reference AS/Aivr/7/3) established a wide ranging programme of events, detailed in their souvenir programme:

Monetary prizes were given for the sports events - 

And there was bunting a-plenty!

Likewise in Turriff (reference AS/Btur/1/8), the coronation was cause for a new committee, who organised a pipe band for the parade, and a lot of sports events!

Peterhead's activities included an art exhibition, gala and gun salute, along with a 'burning boat' and grand fireworks display to finish the weekend! [Reference AS/Aphd - cataloguing in progress].

This massive poster for festivities in the Parish of Newhills highlights yet more variety of entertainment:

To conclude our commemorative trip down memory lane, here is a photo from Mackie Academy, Fetteresso. The children pictured at the school in 1953 are all named Elizabeth, Charles, Philip or Anne! [Reference ED/GR6S/K30/4/3/69].

Kimberley Smith, Archivist