To celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II we asked the people of Littlehampton to send us their memories of the Queen's previous royal celebrations in the town. This exhibition is the result of that callout.
Thank you to everybody who contributed.
1953 Coronation
Coronation Party.
Western Road, Littlehampton.
The pictures are of the Coronation street party in Western Road outside the Surrey Arms pub, run by Jim and Mildred Childs. I think they probably organised the small party.
"I am in two of the photos aged 2 years 9 months (I am seated on the right wearing a paper crown) and also I think my mother can be seen in one of them. I was so pleased to see these pictures, as I don't have any of our own of the event.
I do remember being at a Coronation party but had no recollection that it was so close to our own house! I can remember sitting at the trestle table so it is lovely to see myself sitting at the table in one of the photos"
Leigh Lawson (nee Speller)
Photograph courtesy of Malcolm Rumsey
In the days before the Coronation, my mother trying to find things for me to do, gave me a bucket of water and paint-brush and asked me to paint the faded dark green back door for the Queen. The paint looked lovely when it was wet – I remember painting it with water and the smell of the damp wood drying in the sun. I also remember being very disappointed when I discovered that the Queen was not actually coming to Littlehampton
Leigh Lawson (nee Speller)
Coronation Party.
Western Road, Littlehampton.
I am the little girl in front wearing white sandals. My mother, Eileen Speller, is standing at the back of the circle wearing a tall paper hat.
"We lived in one of a small row of cottages in Western Court beside the Surrey Arms - the cottages were demolished in 1956. My grandmother Minnie Speller lived opposite the Surrey Arms at 24 Western Road. My grandfather Charles Speller (Uncle Charlie the Punch and Judy man) would have still been alive although he had been unwell for a while; he died on the 8th August aged 67"
Leigh Lawson (nee Speller)
Photograph courtesy of Malcolm Rumsey
I was ten at the coronation of 1953. I had a jolly time.
T. K. Quinney
We didn't have a TV so we went to the News Theatre in Brighton to watch the proceedings.
Anonymous
My parents took me to watch the Coronation on television at my god-parents’ bungalow in Littlehampton (Fred and Kay Denyer). All I remember is seeing the ornate coach passing across the tiny movie screen and the Queen waving from the coach window.
Also there were Dumbie and Bert, the elderly couple my mother and Kay had lived with when they were in the Land Army at Lock Farm, Partridge Green. Dumbie lived in a bothy on the farm. (Real names Florence Dumbrell and Bert Ockenden).
Leigh Lawson (nee Speller)
I remember the Headmistress of my primary school entering the infant's class in tears to tell us that King George VI had died. I was aged 6 or 7 then. The following year, all the children were taken to the local farmer's barn for a tea party. Some time later, we were all transported on double decker buses to the cinema to watch a film of the Coronation of Elizabeth, Our Queen. I lived with my family in North Bersted then.
Liz Hammond
My grandfather, Leonard Sanford, bought it for my father in 1952 as a commemorative piece, two years before I was born. Originally it was part of a pair. Sadly, the other one didn't survive the years.
"I do remember them coming out on high days and holidays. They then went back into the cocktail cupboard we had at the time. Thus was always kept locked."
Fiona Germaine
1977 Silver Jubilee
Part of the Littlehampton festivities for the 1977 jubilee was a shop window display with a trophy for 'best dressed shop'. The photograph below shows Frances Harrison and Tyndall Jones of David O Jones Sports receiving their prize.
I was nine years old in 1977 and we all celebrated the Jubilee at Linden Park, Littlehampton. Such good times.
Deborah Foreman
2002 Golden Jubilee
On the 4th June, 2002, a special open air music concert was held on Littlehampton’s Beach Green as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations. The Christian rock band ‘Delerious?’ performed, along with the artists All Star United, Cathy Burton and Sabio.
Diamond Jubilee Concert
East Beach Green, Littlehampton. August 2012.
Over 6000 people came to view Littlehampton's Jubilee celebrations in August. There was a concert on The Green with performances by 'The Tribute Show' and the TLA Steel Band, followed by a fireworks display launched from a barge out at sea.
