Coronation Celebrations in Rushden in May 1937

Amongst items recently bequeathed to Rushden Museum is a set of photographs of the Carnival Procession held on 12 May 1937, part of the Coronation Celebrations in Rushden for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.  In 2026 we would all be at home watching the coronation on television but in 1937 that wasn’t possible, so each town held its own festivities.

 The events in Rushden started on 10 May with judging for the prize for the Best Decorated Street.

During the morning of 11 May Souvenir Spoons were presented to Infant School children followed in the afternoon by tea in the schools.  The spoons were presented by the Chairman of the Council, Mr. W. E. Capon and Mrs. Capon, the Vice-Chairman of the Council, Mr. F. Green, and Mrs. Green, who visited the various Infant Schools in the town.

There was also a Children’s Thanksgiving Service held in the Rushden Hall Grounds at 3.45pm.  The service had been arranged by the Ministers of the town.  A short address was given by the Rev. T. W. Gill of Park Road Baptist Church, and the service was conducted by the Rev. J. Rowell of St. Mary’s Church.  Music was provided by an orchestra made up of children from different schools.

At the end of the Thanksgiving Service the schoolchildren, (other than the infants), were presented with a Souvenir Book, entitled “George VI., King and Emperor,” which was written by Major J. T. Gorman. Prizes for competitions were also presented.

During the evening of the 11 May, disabled residents of Rushden were given a motor ride to view the decorations in the town, or for those who could not see to have them described.  Each vehicle had a commentator.

From that day until the 18 May the St. Mary’s Church Clock Tower, the War Memorial and Rushden Hall were to be flood-lit during lighting hours.  The British Legion arranged suitable embellishments for the War Memorial.  The lighting was organised by the Rushden and Higham Ferrers District Gas Company.

On the day of the Coronation there was a United Thanksgiving Service from a platform in the Hall Grounds.  Choirs from the churches in the town were present under the direction of Mr. Alfred Clarke A.R.C.O., Hon. R.C. M.  The Rushden Mission Band were also in attendance.  The address was given by the Rev. P. Barwell Spriggs, Vicar of St. Peter’s Church, and the service was conducted by the Rev. L. Marsden Allen, assisted by the Rector of Rushden, Rev. E. A. Green, and Major F. H. Cocker of the Salvation Army.

Competitors for the Carnival Procession were to assemble in Spencer Park at 1.15pm for judging, to move off at 2.15pm.  The route was Washbrook Road, Wellingborough Road, Station Road and High Street to the Hall Grounds, arriving at approximately 3.15pm.  Prizes were presented by Mrs. W. E. Capon, Chairman of the Proceedings, and Mr. W. E. Capon, Chairman of the Urban District Council.

There followed a programme of entertainments ending, as was usually the case in Rushden, with a torchlight procession organised by the Rushden Fire Brigade with music by the Rushden Mission Band.  This procession also started from Spencer Park and proceeded along High Street to the Hall Grounds.  The celebrations ended with a firework display, also arranged by the Rushden Fire Brigade, which started at 11pm.