Coronation Day Morden 1953

Long to reign over us - Coronation Day, Morden 2 June 1953

Chrissie Murray wrote.....

These St Helier district youngsters, all teeth and smiles, dress to impress in their costumes of red, white and blue for a coronation party in 1953

The treat was laid on for local children (living in Arras, Rose, Ravensbury and Victory Avenues, Morden) to celebrate the crowning of Queen Elizabeth II. (At this point in the 1950s only one house in Ravensbury Avenue, no 18, actually owned a TV set on which to watch the actual event.)

This particular jolly, one of many across the streets of Merton and Morden, took place at the church hall (these days better known as the Wyvern Youth Centre) in Arras Avenue, off St Helier Avenue.

The winning prize was deservedly carried off by little Michael (front row), aged two, cutting a dash in the persona of fleet-footed, cup-winning football hero of the day, Stanley Matthews. Chrissie and Michael are pictured right.

Michael’s replica ‘silver trophy cup’ had been made, brilliantly, by Michael's dad, Dennis, an employee at Merton Abbey firm Corfield & Buckle, and resident of Ravensbury Avenue, from a scrapped aluminium casting that had been destined for service as an artificial limb.

As you can see from the ear-to-ear grins, everyone had a memorable day, not to mention copious amounts of cake, jelly and ginger beer. Where are they all now?

Chrissie and Michael 1953