RIPLEY & DISTRICT: HERITAGE TRUST GOD SAVE THE KING

A hundred and twelve years ago, on June 22nd 1911, Ripley and Codnor, with most other towns and villages, held their celebrations for the coronation of George V, which were a little different to the mediaheavy celebrations for the coronation of King Charles III.

The day followed a set pattern: music from a band in the Market Place, followed by a procession to the church. The military were followed by the council, the Friendly Societies, the Sunday Schools and the schoolchildren. In Ripley, there were so many people, that the church services for the better-off were followed by an openair service for everyone in the Market Place, ending with a rousing chorus of the National Anthem.

After the service, the children were marched back to their schools for tea, and each child was given a commemorative mug (Ripley distributed over 2500!). Then it was off to Butterley Hall fields for sports, with a quarter of a ton of sweets, nuts and gingerbreads being distributed, whilst the old people were given tea in the Town Hall. In Codnor, the afternoon saw the planting of the Coronation Oak in the Market Place. The Ceremony was conducted by Eustace Mitton of Ormonde Fields House, and Mr Pine, the schoolteacher, read a congratulatory telegram sent on behalf of Codnor to the King and Queen. There were prizes for the best decorated premises awarded by Dr Thompson who arrived in what is said to have been Codnor’s first motor car, a much decorated de Dion Bouton.

Finally, in Codnor at least, the evening was rounded off at ten o’clock by the lighting of the Coronation bonfire on High Holborn Hill. And no doubt many a drink to the health of the new King!