King George V passed away on 20 January 1936, less than a year after his Silver Jubilee. On Wednesday 22 January, the official form of proclamation was received by the Council at 1 pm. Two hours later the Mayor, Councillor R. A. Beckmann, made the first reading outside the Town Hall. Glossop Old Prize Band then played the National Anthem and the Mayor called for cheers for the new monarch.
The new King, Edward VIII, was then proclaimed at the Old Cross and Square in Hadfield and finally the Old Cross, Old Glossop. Schoolchildren had been given a half day holiday to witness this historic event.
Proposals
Proposals for the Coronation festivities were being discussed by the Council as early as November 1936. The draft proposals included the lighting of public buildings, festivities in the Parks, old folks’ parties, and a Coronation Ball.
There were also suggestions of schemes of commemoration such as making up a roadway between Victoria Street and Philip Howard Road with a central omnibus station, a clinic in the Municipal Buildings, provision of band stands in Manor Park and Bankswood Park and an extension of the assembly hall at West End School.
Arrangements and proposals were still being made even though there was a constitutional crisis taking place in London. On 10 December 1936, King Edward VIII, signed his abdication notice. His brother, Albert, King George VI came to the throne on 11 December. The Coronation Day, 12 May 1937, remained the same and detailed planning continued in the months running up to May.
Glossop & Hadfield ‘Royal Oaks’
The first of the Coronation festivities began on Saturday 10 May 1937. Commemorative oak saplings were to be planted in Glossop’s three parks.
The first planting ceremony took pace near the lower bowling green in Manor Park. The Mayor, J. Hague, Deputy Mayor and other Council officials had gathered in the Park. The Deputy Mayor, Councillor R. A. Beckmann, a son in law of Isaac and Harriet Jackson was invited to plant the first sapling.
Councillor Beckmann expressed his hope that the tree would flourish. At the same time, he trusted the prosperity of Glossop would grow more quickly than the tree. He then placed a small quantity of soil around the tree with a spade.
A vote of thanks was proposed and in return Councillor Beckmann thanked the town for accepting him 23 years before as an “adopted son”. He hoped he was now entitled to call himself a ‘Glossopian’.
An iron tablet with an inscription was placed by the tree:
“This tree was planted to commemorate the Coronation of their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth by Councillor R. A. Beckmann, J.P. Deputy Mayor, May, 1937”
The company then went by “bus and motors” to Bankswood Park, Hadfield. The next oak sapling was then planted by Alderman John Platt, who had been a member of the Council for 34 years.
He made a speech wishing a blessed reign to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth before planting the sapling and another iron tablet placed in position.
Councillor Haigh proposed a vote of thanks to Councillor Platt. He mentioned all the time Councillor Platt had devoted to the work of the Borough over the last 34 years. He also remarked “That afternoon Alderman Platt had performed the simple deed of planting an oak sapling and I wish it was as easy to plant new industry in this depressed area of ours”.
Later the party “motored” over to Howard Park. Here two more oaks were planted. The first by the Mayor, Councillor J. Hague. In his speech the Mayor remarked “that it was fifty years ago since that the park and baths were opened , and he did not think at that time that he would ever have the honour of planting a Coronation oak in the park.”
After the sapling had been planted and the commemorative iron tablet placed, the next sapling was planted nearby. This oak was to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V and was planted by the Mayor at the time, Councillor Tom Farnsworth.
Afterwards a vote of thanks was made to Councillor Farnsworth and thanks for the valuable work he had done for the town as Mayor. Councillor Farnsworth replied he was honoured and it was one of the happiest things he had ever done.
The proceedings drew to a close with a verse of National Anthem and three cheers for the King and Queen.
Coronation Eve
On Monday 10 May there were tea parties held in schools for all the attending scholars. A souvenir spoon was presented to each scholar on the attendance register. It had been agreed by the Council that 9d. per head should be allowed for the tea. Messrs E. Fielding and Son, High Street West, had been chosen to supply the 2,500 souvenir spoons that were presented.
On the evening before the Coronation there was a Commemorative Ball held at the Victoria Hall from 8 pm to 3am on Coronation Day!
Coronation Day
Throughout the day the bells of Glossop, Whitfield and Dinting Parish Churches rang out. Shopkeepers had been encouraged to decorate their shops especially around Norfolk Square.
The morning of Coronation Day on Wednesday 12 May began with a meeting of the Glossop Borough Council in the Council Chamber at 10am. They then gathered for a Civic Procession led by the Chief Constable to All Saints Parish Church, Old Glossop for Divine Service.
The highlight of the day was the gathering of Day School Scholars. In Glossop the gathering was held at North Road Cricket Ground and in Hadfield at Bankswood Park.
The programme began with songs at both “God Save the King”, “Land of Hope and Glory”, “Jerusalem” and “Come Lasses and Lads”. In Glossop proceedings were conducted by Mr W. V. Furniss and accompanied by Glossop Military Band and in Hadfield by Mr C. A. Blackman and Glossop Old Prize Band.
The Mayor, J. Hague and Mayoress (Mrs Oulton, the Mayor’s sister) watched the events at Glossop and the Deputy Mayor, R. Beckmann at Hadfield. Following the singing there was massed country dancing, physical training and gymnastics displays and a sports competition.
When planning for the gathering the Council made sure in these times of hardship that the children would be supplied with the clothing they needed for the festivities. Tenders and samples were submitted by local tradesmen for the Council to decide. 1,000 pairs of gymnastics shoes were ordered from J. Swire and Son. The boys were to wear singlets and shorts and these were to be supplied by W. Hurst. An order of 1,050 yards of blue casement material from Wood Bros. Ltd was put in, for making costumes for the girls. The costumes were to be made by the staff at the schools.
Evening Entertainments
At 7pm The Glossop Military Band in Manor Park and the Glossop Old Prize Band in Bankswood Park played musical selections and dance music until dusk.
The Council had floodlit all the Public Buildings and War Memorials all through the week.
At 10 pm a beacon was lit on the Nab. This had been erected by the Local Boy Scouts and Rovers.
Old Folks’ Party
On Saturday 15 May there were parties and concerts for old folks over the age of 65 years, blind persons and disabled ex-servicemen from WW1. The parties were held at the Victoria Hall in Glossop and the Liberal Hall in Hadfield.
At 4pm a tea was laid out and followed by a selection of music. The guests were given boxes of chocolate and tobacco. Gift parcels were sent to those unable to attend the party.
This marked the end of the week long celebrations by Glossop Borough Council to honour the new King and Queen.