As the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations drew to a close with our own School Jubilee Fair last weekend, we thought it an apt time to reflect on another royal event in the lives of Sydenham High pupils; the Coronation in 1953. In the Sydenham High School Magazine for September 1953, Headmistress M D Yardley (1942 -1966) describes how the school celebrated the occasion:     

“This has been a memorable year, culminating in the Coronation of our young Queen, Elizabeth II, an event in which, thanks to the inventions of modern science, every one of us felt we shared with a deepened consciousness of all that our traditions and our heritage mean to us. There are times when we fail to take full advantage of the privilege of being Londoners with all the rich opportunities that London affords its citizens, but the Coronation found us -fully alive to our privileges. From the number of Staff and girls who spent twenty-four hours encamped in the Mall, one would have thought that the Mall was full of Sydenham High School, yet among those dense crowds few recognized one another. The whole School walked to Dulwich to line the route on the second of Her Majesty’s Coronation Drives, and we kept our own celebrations at􀀷School by a Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication, in which Choir and Orchestra led our singing, followed by a tree-planting ceremony in the grounds. The little horse-chestnut seedling that we planted at the quite horticulturally wrong season of the year has nevertheless flourished but will be replaced by a copper beech in the autumn.” 

One of the highlights of the school celebrations was the Coronation Tree planting on 29th May, 1953, an event described beautifully by E Spencer in Lower III, in Junior House (Prep School);

At last the great moment arrived-the tree-planting, when all the Elizabeths in the school helped to plant a horse-chestnut tree to commemorate the Queen’s Coronation. I was fortunate enough to be one of the six, and as I was the eldest I planted it, and the youngest put the plaque in, while the others shovelled the earth round it. Just before the planting Clare Upton presented Miss Yardley with the money we had collected for the magnolia tree, which is to be planted later at the right time of year.

After this we went inside for a piece of Coronation cake, which Mrs. Hawkins had given us. Her daughter Jean, in the Sixth Form of the Senior School, cut it for us, and it was lovely.”

We were delighted that the very same ‘E’ (Elizabeth) Spencer in question, along with another of the ‘Elizabeths’, Elisabeth Loates, were reunited at our recent Alumnae Drinks Reception (both pictured below and in 1953) and were able to share their memories of the tree-planting – and other stories of school life- after many decades!   

Some impressions of the Coronation:

 There is a wonderful account of the Coronation Day itself in the 1953 School Magazine written by P. Williams (Upper UIS); J. Storr (Upper HIS) D. Page (Lower VA) and A Nigram (Upper VR):

As a Coronation happens only once or perhaps twice in a lifetime, June 2 this year was a great day for England. London was decorated with flags, Tudor Roses, gold, silver and multi-coloured decorations, fresh paint and illuminations. The Mall especially was beautiful, with four large arches, lit up at night, with a crown hanging from the centre of each one. Altogether for the last few months the Coronation had been the chief topic of interest. There had been two rehearsals for the procession and crowning; and hundreds of people had lined the route to watch them, but thousands were still wait­ing for the great day itself. People arrived forty-eight hours or more before the event, with large picnics, umbrellas, rain­coats, sunglasses, rugs and even tents! They settled down happily on the route, the very young and the old asleep, and the rest singing, chatting and playing cards to amuse them­selves.

The first thing I knew was that my alarm clock was ring­ing shrilly: it was two o’clock and the long-prepared-for day had come,

When we left the house the road was dark and quiet, and it was raining. We caught our train, and by the time we arrived at Victoria it was growing light. We walked to the route and chose our position, near Hyde Park Corner. Then at four-thirty our long wait began.

At about six o’clock the wireless loudspeakers fixed up in the trees that lined the road were turned on, and gay tunes were played. At eight we had breakfast again. Many people in uniform went up and down the road. Every time a dust­cart or a man in a top-hat passed, the crowd, ready to cheer anything, cheered like mad.

When the procession to the Abbey had been described, everyone settled down to listen to the Service itself. It lasted nearly two and a half hours, and it was wonderful how every­one, even little children, remained silent to listen.

When the return procession was due, a policeman pushed us through to the front, where we had a marvellous view. All the service men and women in their bright, smart uniforms, looked splendid. There were Naval men, the Air Force, the Army, Scots in kilts with their bagpipes, Nigerians, Mounties in their bright red jackets, and Guardsmen whose busbies were all bedraggled in the rain. Last of all rode the House­hold Cavalry escorting the Queen’s coach. As the Queen came by us the sun broke through, making the coach glitter. The Queen, sitting with the Duke of Edinburgh, looked lovely, waving and smiling to the people, acknowledging their cries. I shall never forget that moment.

1. Williams, Upper UIS; J. Storr, Upper HIS;
   D. Page, Lower VA; A Nigram, Upper VR.

IMAGE: CORONATION EVE
B. Pinnell, Lower VI.

 CORONATION POETRY: