The Coronation of King George VI

Looking through some family memorabilia recently I came across a newspaper cutting reporting a day of celebration in Green Oak Park and

Hall (now Heatherfield Club) to mark the Coronation of King George VI.

No doubt the cutting was saved by my parents as both my sister Audrey and brother Brian are mentioned. I know one or two people listed are still living in Totley or nearby so I hope this 'blast from the past' will stir memories to readers who lived in Totley at that time.

The following is a copy of that newspaper report:

CORONATION FESTIVITIES

Happy Gathering of Children at Totley 

More than 250 school children took part in the Totley Coronation celebrations in Green Oak Park and Hall, Totley, organised by the Norton Ward Ratepayers' Association, yesterday. Councillor J Gledhill was Chairman. The entertainment consisted of sports in the park, followed by a cinema performance in the Hall. Tea was provided by Miss Howison and each child received a coronation souvenir given by Mr P J Kirkman.

The results of races were:

Forty yards Flat Race - Ages 5 to 6.
Girls 1. Patricia Sampy 2. Audrey Carr 3. Winnie Dronfield
Boys 1. Donald Scott. 2. Eric Taylor 3. Eric Renshaw

Sixty yards Flat Race - Ages 6 to 7.
Girls 1. Joan Gill 2. Kathleen Pearson 3. Sylvia Kirby
Boys 1. Dennis Robinson 2. Brian Clay 3. Brian Carr

Eighty yards Flat Race - Ages 9 to 10.
Girls. 1. Kathleen Johnson, 2 Jean Kirby 3. Margaret Glossop
Boys. 1. Stanley Ashton. 2. Leonard Coates 3. John England

100 yards Flat Race. Ages 11 to 12
Girls. 1. Joyce Short. 2. Jean Andrews 3. Joyce Lakey
Boys. 1. Donald Reaney 2. Derek Wilkin 3. Billy Glossop

120 yards Flat Race. Ages 13 to 14
Girls. 1. Betty Ashton 2.Kathleen Marsh 3. Maisie Walker
Boys. 1. Richard Dean 2. Harold Clarkson 3. William Robinson

Girls Egg and Spoon Race - 120 yards. Ages 10 to 14
1. Jean Kirkby and Kathleen Johnson. 2. Joan Clay and Mary May

Boys Sack Race. 80 yards, Ages 10 to 14.
1. Richard Dean 2. Derek Wilkin 3. Harold Clarkson

Babies' Race. Ages 2 to 4.
1. Betty Tooter 2. Michael Bellamy 3. Pat Kirby 4. Josy Earl. 5. Gordon Bellamy

Mr Woods was the Starter and Messrs A J Foulston, J G Cowley, and L W Rodgers, the Judges. Mr C Cooper was in charge of the arrangements.

Robert H. Carr

February 2002