Mike was 10 years old when he was lucky enough to see the Queen's coronation
Mike Spencer, Brattleby, is one of a lucky generation to have memories of the coronation of Queen Elizabth II on June 2, 1953. Take a trip back in time as he recalls the historic occassion.My memories of the Coronation are quite vivid, I was hit with a rolling pin, kicked by a horse and won five shillings in a fancy dress parade. All in all, quite a memorable day for a ten year old country lad!
Not wanting to miss out on this momentous occasion, I asked him if I could join in as Old Mother Riley’s baby. After much discussion as to how a lanky ten year old lad would fit into a pram, he finally agreed. The parade was due to commence at 3pm outside the Old Chapel on Tillbridge Lane. By mid-morning, Herbert was beginning to suffer from ‘stage fright’ and now beginning to regret the whole idea. However, after a couple of pints in the ‘Plough’ at lunch time, his aforementioned enthusiasm and the possibility of local stardom returned.
By now, Herbert’s lunchtime drink was beginning to take full effect.
Before I had chance to gather my senses, I found myself traveling at an even greater speed in the opposite direction towards the crowd, who were now clapping and cheering thinking this was all part of the act. Although I inevitably ended up in a heap on the road, the fact I was so wedged in the pram saved the day.
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