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Withycombe Drive Coronation celebrations in 1953
04/05/2023
Family photographs reveal how a part of Banbury celebrated during the last Coronation
With just a couple of days to go until the Coronation of King Charles III, we’ve been given a fascinating look back at how a part of Banbury celebrated during the last Coronation in 1953.
Former Banbury boy Tony Hardy has been digging through his late mother’s photograph albums and uncovered pictures of the 1953 Coronation celebrations in Withycombe Drive. Mr Hardy has agreed to share the pictures with Banbury FM.
Connie Hardy, Mr Hardy’s mother, was one of the organisers of a street party. The pictures show a long table set up with children enjoying sandwiches and a bottle of pop on a car-free street.
The Mayor of Banbury Borough in 1953 was Thomas Auld. He attended the street party with the Mayoress, his wife Daisy. Mr Hardy is seen with Marian Rakestraw presenting a rose to the Mayor.
Another picture shows bunting across the street and everyone outside enjoying the occasion.
Other friends from the time Mr Hardy recalls from the pictures include members of the Rakestraw family (Margaret, Mary and John), Judith French and Mary Mabbit.
At the time Mr Hardy lived at 81 Withycombe Drive, with the Fox family next door. However he only just made the celebration. Mr Hardy said: “Two weeks before the party I was released from the Pines Hospital after contracting scarlet fever. We had games and a puppet show and the adults later had dancing.”
Mr Hardy left Banbury in 2007 and now lives in Barnard Castle.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam