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It’s celebration time in Bexley

Following the wonderful celebrations of Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, our Local Studies and Archives Team have gone through the archive to find out how the borough celebrated the coronation!

The initial proclamation was declared at St James’ Palace on 6 February, while the Queen was still in Kenya. She returned two days later to accept her oath and make her own personal declaration.

Celebrations were held up and down the country and across the Commonwealth following the coronation on 2 June 1953, at Westminster Abbey. The coronation was held over a year after the Queen’s ascension to allow for a traditional period of mourning following the death of George VI.

Celebrations in Bexley included street and house decoration, children’s sports days and, of course, street parties.

The Queen’s coronation is the only British coronation to be fully televised. 27 million people in the UK - out of the 36 million population - watched the ceremony on television and millions more listened on the radio.

Ref PHLS/91/31 Proclamation of Accession of Queen Elizabeth II Welling 1952 An official souvenir program for the coronation Ref PHLS/92/36 – the judging of the fancy dress competition at Brixham Road, Welling, 1953

Ref PHLS/92/15 Coronation decorations at Midfield Parade, Barnehurst 1953

Ref PHLS/92/9 A Prize winning decorated house in Warren Road, Bexleyheath 1953

Ref PHLS/92/34 – Street party held in Betsham Road, Erith 1953

40th anniversary of the Falklands War

Throughout the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War, the Royal British Legion (RBL) will be commemorating the service and sacrifice of all those involved. RBL’s activity began on the 40th anniversary of the start of the Falklands War on 2 April and culminated in a national event to commemorate the end of the conflict on 14 June.

Local members of the RBL held their own events, including a short service of Commemoration and Remembrance at the Bexleyheath War Memorial on 14 June, where wreaths were laid by the Mayor and the Borough’s Deputy Lieutenant. A major service of remembrance is planned for 3pm to 4pm Saturday 25 June at St John the Evangelist Church, Church Road, Sidcup. All are welcome to attend. 30,000 sailors, marines, soldiers, airmen and merchant mariners took part in the Falklands War along with many civilians who supported the war effort. The RBL’s commemorations will honour and remember this great collective contribution as well as the sacrifice of the 255 British personnel who sadly lost their lives. www.britishlegion. org.uk/get-involved/ remembrance/ remembrance-events/ falklands