Jervis Street celebrated the Coronation in style in 1953!
WHAT a wonderful photograph to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
It shows one of dozens of parties held in the town to celebrate the Queen’s Coronation in 1953.
And it will bring back memories for the families who lived in Jervis Street at that time.
Former Times editor David Armstrong, sixth left, was there and he has vivid memories of what he says was a never-to-be-forgotton day for the families in Jervis Street.
“It was a glorious summer day and the parents had gone to considerable trouble to make it a day we wouldn’t forget,” said David. “Everyone dressed up in their Sunday best and the street was lined with tables as we all enjoyed a good old-fashioned street party.
“Street parties were held all over the town and there are many in this photograph who will recall such a happy time in the life of the town.
“Portadown, like so many other towns, was still recovering from the war years but that didn’t take away from the desire to mark the Coronation and to give everyone a badly needed lift which it certainly did.
“I am grateful to an old school friend and Jervis Street neighbour, Freda Dickson (now Proctor) for unearthing the photograph and reminding us of the cameraderie and community spirit that abounded in places like Jervis Street at that time.
“Look at the happy faces. Look at how well everyone dressed for the occasion. A glorious day indeed and certainly one that I have never forgotten.”
He added, “It’s impossible to name everyone in order and I am grateful to Ethel McKeown, the blonde lady, back centre of the photograph, and who still lives in Jervis Street, and Lily Richardson, now Mrs Green, and also still living in Jervis Street, for helping me with the names.
“It is also impossible to recall all of the names but the front row includes Kenneth Grimason, left, Joan Donaldson, second left, Sally Fleming, Maureen O’Hara, fifth left, next Ronnie Curran. Robert Wright, Winifred Crowe, Elizabeth Sprott, Heather Gibson, Robert Fleming, Maurice Hewitt, Dot and Ann Thompson.
“Also included my late brother Tom, left, second row, Renee Allen, Lila Pickering, Sally and Peggy Jamison, Mabel McKeown, Enid Weir, Freda Dickson, Ethel McKeown, Hilary Beattie, Mrs McMullen, Maud Crowe, Norman Best, Gerald Thompson, Betty Richardson, Ian Sprott, Millicent Hayes and her husband Percy Hewitt.
“Two faces I recognise at the back are Isobel Crowe and David Donaldson.”
David recalled that many of the men and women donned fancy dress,
He said, “The McKeown family were the life and soul of the party and David McKeown, a carpet fitter in the town today, and his parents led a fancy dress parade through the street.”
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Weather for Portadown
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
