Coronation memories

Ffion Fearne, 10

Home schooled

“Ding, dong” went the doorbell. “Come in!” I shouted. Zara came bounding in.

“How’s my favourite granddaughter?”

“Good. I heard on TV about a Platinum Jubilee, what is it?”

“It is a celebration of 70 years of a monarch’s reign. Queen Elizabeth II will be the longest reigning monarch in British History, and in the world currently.”

“Wow” said Zara

“I was there at her coronation.”

“Ooh, do tell me about it.”

“Okay. It was the second of June 1953.

It was cold, grey and wet, the wind howled through the thin fabric of our tent. Despite the cold conditions, the atmosphere was buzzing. People chattered like birds. We met a lot of strangers and talked to them about the upcoming event. Blankets were scattered everywhere; children ran on the pavements and we played games.

As the night drew in, we huddled down in out tent and went to sleep. I woke up at about 6 o’clock and the streets were already packed, we were like sardines in a tin. My father sat reading the newspaper and muttering about how this was much better than watchig it on our small television. Suddenly the National Anthem rang out across the streets, a procession of horses, a brass band, and finally a golden carriage came gliding past, like a swan, it shimmered like water in the sun.

As people caught glimpses of the princess (the future Queen), all that could be seen was a sea of flags and handkerchiefs, but in the small view I got, she waved at me! When she had passed the crowd gushed forward, like a huge flow of water, and the streets become a river of people, all jostling for position. At the return trip, people gathered at the gates of Buckingham Palace and shouted.

“We want the Queen.”

Then the Queen came on the balcony and waved.

When we got home, we joined the street party that played the radio, sold cakes and danced. I told my father that she waved at me. Ah, how times have changed.” I said.

“Yes” said Zara.

Suddenly my mobile phone pinged and a message flashed up on the screen. I picked it up and it read;

“You are invited to the Platinum Jubilee Street Party in June 2022. There will be drones, a light show, dancing and a wide screen broadcasting the Jubilee. Tickets are payable online, T&Cs apply.”

“Ah, how different life is now” I said. “There was no mobile phone, large televisions and internet. Humans had not even landed on the moon! So many things have changed over 70 years, but some things still remain as important. We all still love a dance and meet people, laughing and chatting, spending time with our pets, and giving those you love a big cuddle”.