Having just experienced the procession and pomp of King Charles III’s coronation, it is interesting to find out how Stamford celebrated that of his great, great, great grandmother.
“The Queen’s coronation was celebrated yesterday in Stamford with the utmost loyalty, and with the happiest effect. One of the best and most numerous processions ever seen in the town was marshalled by 12 o’clock, when it started from the Town-hall, as follows:-
Two Trumpeters on Horseback – Two Policemen – Purple Flag (given by the Ladies for the occasion) – Tradesmen’s Loyal and Independent Society, with their respective colours and full accompaniments – Loyal and Independent Lodge of Odd Fellows, No. 6, with their respective colours and accompaniments – Boys of the different Charity and Sunday Schools, six abreast – White Flag – Girls of the different Chariy and Sunday Schools, six abreast – White Flag (given by the Ladies for the occasion) – Band – Military – Crier with Staff of Office – Beadle with Bill of Office – Sergeants at Mace (bearing Maces) – The Mayor and his Chaplain – Magistrates – Aldermen – Town Clerk – Town councillors – Clergy in their Gowns – Gentlemen and Inihabitants of the Town, six abreast.
In the delightful weather, amidst the music of the bank and the ringing of bells, the procession passed through all the principal streets of Stamford and St. Martin’s, occasionally halting to give cheers. The procession itself was half a mile long; and every where cheerful countenances indicated the satisfaction that was felt, and the sincereity with which all hailed the great occasion as one calculated to ensure and to perpetuate the liberties and the happiness of the nation. – About two o’clock, 1000 children of the different charity schools sat down to a dinner of roast beef and plum pudding, comfortably set out in the several stalls of the butchery, which were fitted up for the occasion: the scene was one of unalloyed enjoyment. In addition to this, 400 poor men and wqomen, 60 years of age, received each 1s. with which to regale themselves; and 1000 other poor men and women received tickets, entitling each to obtain at the public-houses sixpennyworth of beer. The gentry and tradesmen of the town dined in parties at the different inns, and the whole day passed off with the highest conviviality, and with uninterrupted satisfaction.”
The Stamford Mercury, 28th June, 1838.