Foreword by the Chairman of the Council

The greatest Empire the World has ever known is making preparations for the crowning of its King and Queen. Not only will the eyes and hearts of the British Empire be centred on London on May 12th, but all nations through their representatives will pay homage to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

Fellow citizens, in our loyalty we give place to none, we salute the Flag that flies over the British Empire and we say "God Bless our King and Queen".

It is fitting that we should share in the festivities and thus feel that we are part of that vast concourse which pays its tribute to the Throne and joins in the universal prayer "God Save the King".

As I write, the great day seems very near, interest is growing, enthusiasm is everywhere revealing itself and if I mistake not the people of Rushden will, with one voice, rise to honour the newly crowned Monarchs.

The amount of service so freely given on an occasion like this can never be tabulated; work may be measured but service never. To all who have planned and helped in any way we offer a big "Thank You". May the day be crowned with joy and blessing.

We do well to remind ourselves of the significance of the Coronation Ceremony with its underlying three-fold oath that our beloved King will take. In this he will express his determination that life in all its phases shall be based upon the things that make a country really great; we should do well

Mr. W. E. Capon

to emulate his faith and put it into practice. Sincerely yours,

W. E. Capon
Rushden, 1st May, 1937

May I suggest that if we all wear emblems, and that if all car owners decorate their cars, it will add much to the spirit and jollity of the day.

Rushden Coronation Celebrations

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

MONDAY, MAY 10th.

BEST DECORATED STREET. The judging for the Prize to be awarded by the Chairman of the Council and Mrs. Capon to the best decorated street in the Town, will take place during the day. C. W. Horrell, Esq., C.A., and Mrs. Horrell, and F. Sharwood, Esq., C.C., and Mrs. Sharwood have kindly consented to act as judges.

Spencer Road looking towards Hayway - decorated for 1937 Coronation

Service Sheet

TUESDAY, MAY 11th.

11-45 a.m. PRESENTATION OF SOUVENIR SPOONS TO INFANT SCHOOLCHILDREN. The Chairman of the Council and Mrs. Capon, and the Vice-Chairman of the Council (F. Green, Esq.) and Mrs. Green will attend at the various Infant Schools in the Town and present each child with a souvenir spoon.

3-30 p.m. TEA FOR INFANT SCHOOLCHILDREN, at the various schools.

3-45 p.m. CHILDREN'S THANKSGIVING SERVICE (arranged by the Ministers of the Town) will take place from the platform in the Rushden Hall Grounds. A short address will be given by the Rev. T. W. Gill (Park Road Baptist Church). The service will be conducted by the Rev. J. Rowell (St. Mary's Church). An Orchestra consisting of child instrumentalists from the various schools will render the necessary music.

At the conclusion of the Service, a Souvenir Book, entitled "George VI, King and Emperor", will be presented to every schoolchild (other than infants) by the Chairman of the Council (W. E. Capon, Esq.) and Mrs. Capon, and the Vice-Chairman of the Council (F. Green, Esq.) and Mrs. Green. The Prizes in connection with the various competitions for scholars will also be presented.

	The book presented to the school children and a book-plate

DURING THE EVENING, the Blind, Crippled and Infirm of the Town will be given a motor ride to view or have explained to them the decorations in the various parts of the Town and its environs. A commentator will travel on each vehicle. From this Day up to and including Tuesday, May 18th, the St. Mary's Church Clock Tower, the War Memorial and the Rushden Hall will be Flood-lit during lighting hours. The British Legion have kindly undertaken the arrangements in connection with the suitable Embellishment of the War Memorial.

CORONATION DAY, MAY 12th.

9-30 a.m. THE BELLS OF ST. MARY'S CHURCH will ring forth a Merry Peal of Welcome to the Day.

10-30 a.m. UNITED THANKSGIVING SERVICE FROM THE PLATFORM IN THE RUSHDEN HALL GROUNDS. If wet, in the St. Mary's, St. Peter's, Park Road Methodist and Park Road Baptist Churches. The address will be given by the Rev. P. Barwell Spriggs (Vicar of St. Peter's Church). The Service will be conducted by the Rev. L. Marsden Allen, assisted by the Rector of Rushden (Rev. E. A. Green), and Major F. H. Cocker (Salvation Army).

A United Choir, consisting of the members of the various Church Choirs in the Town, will be present under the direction of Mr. Alfred Clarke, A.R.C.O., Hon. R.C.M. The Rushden Mission Band will also be in attendance. Service papers will be provided gratis at the various entrances to the Hall Grounds.

Stewards, the members of the Local Toc H Group.

The Public are respectfully requested to assemble at 10-15 a.m. An enclosure in front of the platform will be set apart for use by the aged and infirm residents of the Town.

12-45 p.m. COLD LUNCHEON for all residents aged 65 years and over (and their wives or husbands if under 65) at Queen Street Independent Wesleyan Schools and the Windmill Hall.

Arrangements have been made for the conveyance of the infirm and aged residents by the Rushden Rotary Club to the Queen Street Schools. For the convenience of those aged residents unable to walk to the Windmill Hall, a special bus will leave Rectory Road (opposite the Council Buildings) at 12 noon, 12-10, 12-20 and 12-30 p.m.

During the Luncheon, musical selections will be rendered by Mr. J. W. Cooke's Concert Orchestra at Queen Street Schools and by radio gramophone, supplied by Mr. H. Wills, at the Windmill Hall.

1-15 p.m. Competitors for CARNIVAL PROCESSION assemble in Spencer Park.

1-45 p.m. JUDGING of Procession entries (full particulars of Order of Procession, Marshals, Judges, Entries and Prizes to be awarded are set out below)

2-15 p.m. PROCESSION moves off from Spencer Park, proceeding via Washbrook Road, Wellingborough Road, Station Road and High Street to the Hall Grounds.

3-15 p.m. (approx.) ARRIVAL OF PROCESSION at the Hall Grounds, to be followed by the presentation of prizes from the Platform, by Mrs. W. E. Capon, Chairman of the Proceedings, W. E. Capon, Esq., Chairman of the Urban District Council.

3-30 p.m. to 5 p.m. SPORTS  (organised by the Query Motor Club) in the roped arena behind the Bandstand in the Hall Grounds.

In addition to those residents mentioned in the preceding programme, arrangements have been made to remember appropriately:—

1	All Rushden in-patients of the Northampton General Hospital, the Manfield Orthopaedic Hospital, the Rushden House Sanatorium,and the Rushden Cottage Hospital
2	Aged residents of 65 years and over who will be unable to attend the luncheon on Coronation Day. (Distribution of Souvenir Caskets of tea has been kindly undertaken by the Rushden Men's Adult School)
3	All inhabitants over 90 years of age
4	All children born on Coronation Day, May 12th, 1937
5	Children attending schools outside the town. (Distribution of Souvenir Books or Spoons has been kindly undertaken by the Rushden Group of Toc H)
6	Children under school age. (Distribution of Souvenir Spoons has been kindly undertaken by the Local Branch of the Girls' Friendly Society)
7	Residents under the auspices of the Blind Association, the Clubs' Fund for the Blind and Crippled Children, and the Orthopaedic Clinic

Teaspoon given by RUDC in 1937 was kept in a souvenir pencil tin

An "Invitation Tea" will also be held in the Queen Street Independent Wesleyan Schools, on Friday, May 14th, commencing at 4-30 p.m.

Where practicable, the whole of the requirements of the various Committees have been purchased locally.

The catering arrangements at the Hall Grounds on Coronation Day for the general public will be undertaken by the following :—

Tea and light refreshments, The Rushden Industrial Co-operative Society. (Marquee at rear of Hall Out-buildings).
Chocolates, Sweets, Cigarettes, etc. Mr. C. E. Cook.
Fruit, Mr. B. Keller.
Mineral Waters and Potato Crisps, Mr. J. W. Bright.
Ice Cream, Messrs. T. Wall & Sons.

Members of the Rushden Divisions of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade (Men's and Nurses' Sections) will be on duty throughout the Celebrations.