Thanks to:
Musicians Martin, Chloe and Lewis, choreographer Chloe, performance coach Joe, stage manager Del, technical support Lewis and Ricky, box office and front of house Grith, and all our wonderful volunteers Brochure editing and layout A.Quinn; Rehearsal/memorabilia photography L.Allen
INTRODUCING JUBILEE JIVE
CE: A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MONARCHY THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND: A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP
‘Bring Me Sunshine is a charity supporting people over 60, and is part of Lewisham Churches Care. Jubilee Jive is our second, more ambitious, collaboration with Goldsmiths Academy of Dance, and again brings young and old together. This opportunity has allowed both groups to interact and deepen self-confidence. Some older people are performing for the first time ever, or the first time since they were children. Our eldest performer, Eileen, is 86, and blossoms as she jives and twirls with Finley, a young member of the Dance Academy. ‘Being part of a vibrant show, on a stage with lights and musicians, has enabled older people to express themselves in new and creative ways. The young people have supported the elders beautifully, and the interaction is a joy to see. Many elders have been involved in the show: singing, dancing, acting, narrating, shaking maracas, wiggling hips, making accessories and bunting, or sharing memories and exhibits, culminating in a weekend of creativity, joy, and community. This is indeed positive ageing in action!’ Lesley Allen, Bring Me Sunshine Coordinator
Fr. Lindsay Mckenna from BMS partner Church St. Andrew explains: ‘The Queen has always been very important to me – not only is she is our head of state, but I am a Church of England priest, and the Church of England has a special relationship with the monarchy. The Monarch is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, something which has been maintained since the Reformation. Although I have never met the Queen, I have been in her presence a couple of times at the Garter Service in St. George’s Chapel in Windsor. I think one of the most moving occasions in my life was singing the National Anthem almost within touching distance of the Queen.’ Fr. Lindsay has a large collection of royal memorabilia, much of which has been given to him - as he says, ‘When people realise you are interested, they go into cupboards and find all sorts of things; for instance, I’m very fond of a picture, given to me by two women in the congregation, of the Queen saying “Hi!”. ‘The oldest things are a mug and plate commemorating the Queen’s wedding when she was Princess Elizabeth - poignant now since Prince Philip died. There is also a copy of her wedding certificate - quite interesting to me, as someone who regularly fills in wedding certificates. Prince Philip’s rank or profession is HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, KG, and his father’s name and profession is Prince Andrew of Greece. The Queen’s father is mentioned as HM King George VI of UK of Great Britain and NI and of the British Dominions, Defender of the Faith and so on. It is so unusual to see those things on a wedding certificate, but, just like everybody else, they had to be married in law.
‘Goldsmiths Dance Academy is a small community school offering Royal Academy of Dance accredited ballet classes and musical theatre to children. Bring Me Sunshine members attended a post-lockdown festival at Goldsmiths performed by a group of students; there were smiles and tears from young and old, and the seed for collaboration was planted. The resulting intergenerational performance of a cabaret Down Memory Lane brought benefits beyond the pleasure of the performances themselves, as our students embraced the opportunity to support their older coperformers, while also learning from them. 'Jubilee Jive was conceived as an ambitious extension of that first successful collaboration - telling the story of Queen Elizabeth's reign though the eyes of those who lived through the immense social and political changes of the last 70 years, connecting younger performers to their immediate history through dance and song. And, of course, we continue to demonstrate that age difference is no barrier to having fun together and enjoying a bit of Rock and Roll!’ Elizabeth Wood, Principal, Goldsmiths Dance Academy ‘I was excited and nervous being asked to join the Jubilee Jive production; strutting around at home singing and dancing is very different from performing on stage in front of an audience. I have fond memories of the Coronation, and this production has helped me to relive them, and given me the opportunity to meet new people, young and old, in a way I never imagined. ‘I thank the choreographer for her encouragement, which boosted my confidence, and proved you are never too old to learn something new. This has been a special time for me, and taken me back to my childhood of acting and dancing. I encourage my peers to have a go if the opportunity arises.’ Iris Till, Positive Ageing Council
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Specially printed BCP; The Queen saying ‘hi! ’surrounded by some of Fr. Lindsay’s collection
‘There are coronation things – mugs and glasses with royal insignia, a copy of the Illustrated London News, books and information, as well as a picture of the coronation with the Queen holding the sceptre and orb, flanked by the Bishops of Bath & Wells and Durham, who are always in attendance. There’s an LP of the coronation, a model of the coronation coach and horses, and a Book of Common Prayer printed especially. ‘I have some goblets, plates and glasses from previous jubilees - it’s interesting to see, as she gets older, the Queen’s picture changes slightly. Here are a couple of champagne glasses from the golden jubilee – so cheers! God Save the Queen!’
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ROYAL MEMORABILIA
Coronation tea tray (Hugh Forde)
‘Goldsmiths Community Association runs the centre, which was handed to the community shortly before the Second World War. There has been a long tradition of theatre and musical performances in our George Green Hall ever since, and we are delighted to be hosting the Jubilee Jive in our space. It is particularly fitting that the performers span the generations and include people who have long memories of past activities here. ‘We are using the Jubilee as an opportunity to collect memories and objects linked to both the Monarchy and our own community, creating a trip down memory lane along our corridors. We invite participants in the celebrations to add their own memories and stories, to complement the broader work that Lewisham is delivering as part of the Borough of Culture 2022.’ Roz Hardie, Managing Director, Goldsmiths CC
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Coronation mug and scarf (Teresa Dunne)
PRINCESS ELIZABETH BECOMES QUEEN Mary Ann Collet with Golden Jubilee memorabilia
Coronation ware, Prince Philip memorial and Coronation mug (Jean Golder)
Elizabeth acceded to the throne on 6th February 1952, when her father George Vl died while she was touring Kenya. Margaret Newland remembers her visit: ‘I was 12 when princess Elizabeth was visiting Kenya. I was at the big stadium where she came with other dignitaries. She had brought chocolates as presents for us all. We were supposed to be in the stadium for the day, but suddenly she got up and announced that she was sorry she had to cut her visit short as she had just been told that her father King George had died, and she had to return to England. The crowd screamed with horror.’
Some more of Jean’s Golden royal souvenirs, and Coronation Day photo Princess Elizabeth’s welcome in Kenya, and return to Britain as Queen, in mourning
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CORONATION DAY IN THE CARIBBEAN Laurel Robertson recalls: ‘It was a big thing in St. Lucia, we dressed up and sang ‘red white and blue, what does it mean to you.’ ‘I was at school in St. Lucia. They took us on to the square and we sang a song and then marched back to school where they gave us squash and a slice of cake,’ Mary Emmanus remembers. In Dominica, Lydia Joseph says, ‘When I was at school, we were always celebrating the Queen. At the coronation everything was British, we celebrated with flags and singing. Everyone had a flag, and we sang Rule Britannia.’ Melanie Thomas told us: ‘In Dominica we had parties with cake and squash. But my mum took me out of school to look after my sister who was having a baby, so I missed half the celebrations.’ Verona Ellison remembers: ‘At school in Jamaica we had a party in the school hall. We dressed up in white and blue uniforms with red, white, and blue ribbons’, and Madge Henry, also in Jamaica, recalls: ‘At school we went to the school hall, where they gave us drinks and a coronation badge. When we came home, my dad had a Phillips radio, and a crowd of people from the district came over and we listened to the coronation on the radio.’
CORONATION DAY IN ENGLAND Jean Golder remembers: ‘We didn’t have a television, but went to next doors house. It was my sister’s 8th birthday.’ Jo Scriven was luckier: ‘We were living with my grandma – she bought a television, which was very unusual.’ Violet Ward says: ‘I was 23. We had a television, so people came into our house. We had beer and sandwiches, and it rained all day.’ Teresa Dunne’s family ‘had a black and white television with doors on it. The neighbours came in.’ Sally Millen recalls: ‘My parents took me to a neighbour’s house to see it on television. I was at a Convent, and they didn’t celebrate it.’
A street party in Springbank Road, Hither Green
Jackie Bowness went out to celebrate: ‘I was very young. We went to a street party, and made hats. In Mill Road in Lewisham, where Glassmill is now, there was a brickyard and a pub – the pub hosted the local children. The traffic, although there wasn’t much traffic in those days, kept coming, and had to drive around the street party.’
‘I worked for the ministry of defence in the city and I saw Her Majesty the Queen fairly often, she was always dignified, I liked her. Always dressed in the best. She has done her duty well. I often went out to see the flowers laid when Princess Diana died.’ Hugh Forde ‘I once wrote a postcard to the Queen thanking her for letting me live in England as I had come from Ireland. She never wrote back. I like her though. I went outside Buckingham palace to watch the wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles.’ Pat Doyle ‘In Grenada, when princess Margaret came to our country, I remember standing for hours on the pavement in the hot sun waiting for her to pass. It was hard, she quickly drove past and we waved our flags. We all had to wear red, white, and blue. We always sang the National Anthem, and of course “There’ll Always be an England”,” Red, white, and blue, what does it mean to you,” and “London Bridge is falling down”.’ Esther Joseph
Princess Margaret in Grenada, 1955
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I WAS THERE WHEN… SOME ROYAL MEMORIES ‘I went to Buckingham Palace with my daughter when she was given an award. Princess Anne knew her, and spoke to her. They took us for a glass of juice and we went into the garden.’ Mary Emmanus ‘I was on the embankment during the Golden Jubilee, and saw the Queen’s coach, although I couldn’t see the Queen. At the Olympics closing ceremony I was at Trafalgar Square, but got pushed back. It was a waste of time; you see it better on television!’ Shirley Charles I was in Greenwich when the Queen knighted Sir Francis Chichester, although was a bit far away. She knighted him in public, and wore a white and navy suit. The Queen came to Catford, when the Theatre opened. I said “Good morning, your majesty”, and she said “Thank you very much”.’ Eileen Mead ‘My aunt lived in Dulwich, and the Queen Mother visited her garden.’ Sally Millin ‘My wife Mary and I received a card from the Queen on our 60th wedding anniversary, which we were very pleased to get.’ Pat Gallagher
Pat & Mary with their card from the Queen; Shirley’s pictures from the Olympic closing ceremony
‘We heard Princess Diana died when we were away, in the village where Heartbeat was filmed. I went to sign the book of remembrance for Princess Diana at Harrods.’ Teresa Dunne ‘My son used to do the wiring for the Queen Mother, he worked at Windsor Castle, and we were invited to visit Buckingham Palace. And my daughter and family were invited to Buckingham Palace as she was in the Civil Service, although they have stopped doing that now. I was in Vauxhall for the Silver Jubilee. The Queen did a walkabout, and I saw her face-to face.’ Lydia Joseph ‘I was in Whitehall at the wedding of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips.’ Jean Golder ‘I worked in the City, and the office had a sort of balcony, so I saw when Princess Anne and Mark Phillips married. The funeral of Lord Mountbatten also went through the City, so we saw that.’ Jo Scriven
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WITNESSING HISTORY: CORONATION DAY, 2nd JUNE 1953 Jean Stallard remembers watching the coronation: ‘I went up to the coronation, near Buckingham Palace, the crowds were huge.’ Pat Gallagher recalls: ‘At the time of the coronation, I was 19 and was over from Ireland. I caught a bus to Marble Arch and stood on the corner. I couldn’t believe the crowds that were there, I got to see the Queen as she passed in her carriage. She’s the best in the world, she’s had a lot of heartache.’ Enid Benzynie says: ‘I came to England in 1947 and remember staying on the pavement overnight to see the Coronation. I managed to see the Queen as she passed by fairly closely, although there was a guard with his busby in the way. I have always loved the Queen, and had many books and memorabilia for years, but they’ve gone now.’ Someone else who was there was Iris Till, who writes: ‘I was approaching my 12th birthday when the Coronation took place. I remember the build-up to the event, it was exciting as local communities prepared for street parties. My parents and Gran had hopes that it would be the beginning of brighter days, having survived the war and in full employment. There was a sense of people feeling more settled, and a sense of stability for life in the country to move forward positively. The death of King George VI made my family and others apprehensive about whether it would damage the stability that had started to grow. ‘I lived with my Gran. When I arrived home from school on Monday 1st June, Gran was busy in the kitchen making her lovely egg and bacon pie, a forerunner to today’s Quiche Lorraine. She told me that she had thought about going to the Coronation - she was a Royalist and took me to all Royal events. ‘We left Putney about 10.30pm on a 22 bus heading to Hyde Park. It was a dreary night, and chillier than you would expect for a June night. We walked up Constitution Hill with flags and decorations brightening the night. I was feeling excited as there were many people walking towards the palace and chattering to each other. People had come from all parts of the British Isles, and from all parts of the world, to witness this historic occasion. ‘Gran knew exactly where she wanted to be, and headed for the railings outside the Palace. In her polite way she guided me through the crowds that were circulating around the Palace, and we took our place outside. We had our picnic and flask of coffee that would last us for hours, and our lovely egg and bacon pie with salad. Our clothing was waterproof, but not as efficient as clothing today, and definitely no trousers. We chatted to people around us and some of us sang. One song I remember was a Dickie Valentine’s “In a Golden Coach there’s a Heart of Gold driving through old London Town…” The night brought more rain. Crowds waiting in the rain
‘As we moved into dawn, we heard the ringing of a bell and a man shouting out that Everest had been conquered by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Although neither were British, it was a British expedition. As the dawn moved into early morning the rain continued but our spirits stayed high. ‘We started to see lots of comings and goings of civilian and military staff. Excitement was building but the rain didn’t stop, as the procession moved out of the Palace courtyard it was difficult to see anything other than the carriages and hear the clatter of the horses’ hoofs. The cries rang out as the Queens coach came through the palace gates and down the Mall. Some people moved on at that point but we stayed put, singing with the crowds at times. ‘I believe the service was broadcast in the surrounding streets, but it was on hearing the peal of bells from the Abbey that we knew the service was over and we had a Queen of England and the Commonwealth. Cheers rang out, and people sang “God Save The Queen”. I remember it as a jolly time in spite of the weather. ‘We waited patiently for the procession to return. ‘One of my most vivid memories was seeing only one open carriage with its canopy down - that of the Queen of Tonga, looking radiant in all her splendour. I remember she wore gold and red robes, and a crown with a feather. She appeared a friendly person and waved and smiled to the crowds, and I gave her my loudest cheer. Queen Sālote of Tonga ‘We waited for the Queen to come onto the Palace balcony with her entourage, and her little Charles and Anne. As the Royal party went back into the Palace for the second time, Gran and I called it a day and trundled back to get the bus home - rather wet and bedraggled, but with memories that will, and have, lasted a lifetime, of the day I was there with my Gran to witness history in our lives.’
The Queen on the balcony, and people trying to catch a glimpse of her procession