Coronation commemorations! A scrapbook of memories

Wendover marked the coronation of King Charles III on 6 May in characteristic style. Streets and shops and public buildings were decorated, flags were everywhere, while local schools and clubs put on events and competitions.

The Parish Council laid on live music and food and drink stalls in Witchell on the Sunday after the big event. About 350 people enjoyed a sunny afternoon. Which is just as well, as the coronation day itself was cold, grey and wet so only the hardy put on outdoor street parties on that Saturday, but the sun was glorious for picnics on the day after!

In a tradition going back centuries, the bells of St Mary Wendover church were rung on coronation day.

On the Bank Holiday Monday, many people followed the King's call to donate the day to voluntary work around their local areas, and for instance people descended on St Mary's churchyard to help tidy up overgrown sections

St Marys church notes

St Mary’s bell ringers rang on Saturday 6 May, Coronation Day, prior to the Coronation Service in London, and then again before and after the Sunday service at the church. Over these two days, the ringers rang special arrangements of call changes which had a royal flavour – some were called "Kings" and "Queens" and another called "Coronation," which was originally composed for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

The ringers also marked the Coronation by ringing a series of quarter peals, involving continuously ringing a specific pattern of arrangements called changes, lasting around 45 minutes per quarter peal. Four quarter peals of what’s called ‘Bob Doubles’ (1,280 changes) are being attempted throughout May.

We had a full church for our Celebratory service with fizz afterwards. On Monday morning 28 gathered to tidy the churchyard with volunteers from both the church and village community.