Coronation Commemorations

Many Somerset communities have celebrated coronations with one-off events, such as street parties and bonfires.  Some have chosen to commemorate the occasions with more permanent features, for example community halls, seats, fountains, promenades, stones, gardens and public parks.  There are also many roads named after various coronations.

Coronation Hall, Bleadon

Note the crowns on the flower barrels

Coronation Road, Worle

Coronation Close, Ruishton

Judging by the age of the houses in this road, I think this road must have been named to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

Coronation seat, Holford Bowling Green

Fountain in Westcombe to commemorate the Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary

Coronation Fountain, Somerton

This was built in 1902 to celebrate King Edward VII's coronation.  It was manufactured in Coalbrookdale for the Somerton ironmonger T.C. Head.  It provided water for people, horses and dogs and also incorporated a lamp.

Coronation Stone at the top of Brent Knoll

Coronation bonfires were held here in 1902 for the Coronation of Edward VII, in 1911 for the Coronation of George V, in 1937 for the Coronation of George VI and in 1953 for the Coronation of Elizabeth II.

Jubilee Stone, Backwell

This also commemorates the Coronations of King Edward VII and King George V & Queen Mary

Jubilee Stone, Backwell

This side of it also commemorates the Coronations of King George VI in 1937 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

Coronation Promenade, Knightstone Island, Weston-super-Mare

Plaque commemorating the re-opening of Coronation Promenade by Queen Elizabeth II on 20th July 2007

Wellington Park

Wellington Park was presented to the town by Fox Brothers & Co Ltd at the time of the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902

Wellington Park Plaque

Drinking fountain, Parrett Close, Langport

This was "Erected in commemoration of the the Coronation of His Majesty King Edward VII" August 9th 1902

Clock tower on the former school at Chilton Polden

The inscription under the clock says:

Time Flies

In Commemoration of the Coronation of

King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra

on August 9th 1902

This Clock Tower was erected by 

M.G.F. Luttrell

The school is now a private house.

Drinking fountain, The Borough, Montacute

This Hamstone drinking fountain for people and horses was built in Montacute by local stone masons in 1902 to celebrate the coronation of Edward VII.  It was designed by the architect A.R. Powys, whose father was Vicar of Montacute at this time.  Over the years the drinking fountain got damaged and in 1983 Montacute Parish Council commissioned a replica to be built.  It was built by the National Trust's stone mason and his assistant.  The capping stone is the original one.

Coronation Garden, Fivehead

This garden commemorates the Coronation of King Charles III on 6th May 2023.

King Charles III Coronation bench, Somerton

Ashwick Theatre, Exmoor Pony Centre, Dulverton

The Ashwick Theatre, which is also known as the Music Room, or more recently, the Green Room, is located at the Exmoor Pony Centre at Ashwick near Dulverton.  It was built in the late 1920s or early 1930s by Frank Green, who owned Ashwick House.  He built it as a recreation hall for his staff and young relatives who came to stay with him.  It is located a couple of hundred metres from his house, so that he couldn't hear their merrymaking but could keep an eye on them!

Frank Green (1861-1954) was the son of Sir Edward Green, who was a wealthy Yorkshire industrialist and MP for Wakefield.  Frank bought the Treasurer's House in York and used it to display his collection of antique furniture, ceramics, textiles and paintings.  He gave the Treasurer's House and all its contents to the National Trust in 1930.  He was eccentric and never married.

Sir Edward Green died in 1924 and Frank's health began to deteriorate.  He bought Ashwick House and estate, which included farmland at Old Ashway Farm and a herd of Exmoor ponies, in 1928.  He moved to Ashwick for the sake of his health in 1930.  He had 20 resident staff at Ashwick House and often entertained there.  The Exmoor ponies were the descendants of the original Anchor herd, which had been started by the first Sir Thomas Acland in 1797.  Frank looked after his Exmoor ponies well but most of them were stolen during the Second World War and slaughtered for meat. Only about 12 ponies managed to avoid being caught. In 1950 Frank's great nephew Simon Lycett-Green returned the few remaining ponies to Winsford Hill.  Frank Green died in 1954 and left the estate to his family.  The Anchor herd was rebuilt by Simon Lycett-Green's daughter Rosie and there are now about 100 ponies in the herd, some of which live out on Winsford Hill.

The theatre is built on stone piers with shiplap boarding on the external walls, a stone chimney at both ends and it originally had a sprung wooden dance floor. The auditorium is 30 feet long by 15 feet wide. There is a stage, which is 8 feet deep and a proscenium arch, which is 10 feet wide.  The stage could be screened off from the auditorium by double doors.  These could be opened inwards to form the wings of the stage.  

Two unsigned trompe l'oeil paintings of theatre boxes, which were painted in 1924, are mounted on the double doors.  They depict Oscar Wilde's presentation of his play Lady Windermere's Fan in 1895. The Prince and Princess of Wales (later King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra) and William Ewart Gladstone are sitting in one box and politicians from the period, including Lord Salisbury, Arthur Balfour and Joseph Chamberlain are sitting in the other.  The shadowy figure behind the Prince of Wales is thought to be Oscar Wilde.  Frank Green probably brought these with him from the Treasurer's House.   

On the back wall of the auditorium above fireplace there is a mural of a York street scene seen through the the wooden frames of a window. These were painted in 1924 by A.E. Pilmoor.

Ashwick Theatre was leased by the Moorland Mousie Trust in 2006 and restored by them.  It was officially reopened by the Duchess of Cornwall in July 2011 and is now used as a meeting/exhibition room. It was renamed the Green Room in honour of Frank Green.

Ashwick Theatre

Ashwick Theatre

The auditorium

Mural of a York street

Trompe l'oeil painting of two theatre boxes

Platinum Jubilee Floral Cascade at Stogumber Church

A lady from Stogumber called Wendy Symes saw a floral cascade on display at Barley in Hertfordshire and thought it would be an excellent way for the village of Stogumber to commemorate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.  Work on the cascade started in July 2021.  An informal group was set up and people in Stogumber were invited to create knitted, crocheted, organza or felt flowers for it in a palette of green, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple and blue.  The first flowers were sewn onto the netting in November 2021.  By December 2021 only 3 metres had been completed but by the end of January 2022 it had grown to 20 metres. 

The cascade was completed in March 2022 and in April some knitted bees were added to it. Over 2,000 flowers were sewn onto the netting in total.  It was hauled to the top of the tower of St Mary's Church with the help of the staff of Williton Fire Station and was unveiled on 7th May.  It remained on display all summer.  It was free to see but donations were requested in aid of Mind, Children's Hospice South West and St Mary's Church.

A large ER and 70 made of sewn flowers were mounted on the front of the church, along with a Union Jack made from knitted red, white and blue flowers.  A wooden Grenadier Guard, made by Dave Ockenden was erected at the entrance to the church.   A display of knitted flowers in material vases were placed along the boundary fence of the church. 

Floral Cascade

Floral Cascade on St Mary's Church

Floral Cascade

Floral Cascade

Mauve, purple and blue flowers up close

A Rainbow Cascade

Red and pink flowers and bees up close

Union Jack made from sewn flowers

70 in flowers

EIIR outside St Mary's Church,  Stogumber

The Queen visits St Mary's Church, Stogumber!

Stogumber's own interpretation of the Queen's wedding dress made by ladies from St Mary's Church

Grenadier Guard at the entrance to St Mary's Church

Knitted flowers in vases on the boundary fence

Stogumber decorated for the Platinum Jubilee

Royal Jubilees

A jubilee is a special anniversary of an event, especially one celebrating 25 (silver), 50 (gold) or 60 (diamond) years of a reign, organisation or activity.  Royal Jubilees are an occasion to celebrate the life and reign of a monarch.  

The only British monarchs to have reigned long enough to celebrate their golden jubilees are Henry III, Edward III, James VI, George III, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II.  

Queen Victoria celebrated her Golden Jubilee on 20th and 21st June 1887. She celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in June 1897. 

King George V celebrated his Silver Jubilee in 1935.

Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Silver Jubilee in 1977, her Golden Jubilee in 2002, her Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and her Platinum Jubilee in 2022.  

In cities, towns and villages across Britain monuments, buildings, clock towers, bandstands, fountains, obelisks, seats, lamps, stained glass windows, sundials, pulpits, gates, village signs, almshouses, stones and statues were erected; murals, mosaics and gardens were created; church kneelers were sewn and trees were planted to commemorate these historic events, many of which are still in existence today.  

In Clevedon a bandstand was erected to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887 and in 1897 Sir Edmund Elton gave a clock tower to the town to commemorate her Diamond Jubilee.

Bandstand on Clevedon Seafront

Clock Tower, Clevedon

In Lower Langford Sidney Hill built a row of almshouses in 1887, which he called Victoria Jubilee Langford Homes.  

Victoria Jubilee Langford Homes

In nearby Churchill a clock tower was built by Foster and Wood of Bristol for Sidney Hill in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.  

Clock tower, Churchill

In 2002, to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, the “Hands of Friendship” sculpture was carved from the remains of a Wellingtonia tree (giant sequoia or redwood), which had been planted to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Jubilee.  The sculpture was erected at the junction of Dinghurst Road and Bristol Road in Churchill.

Hand of Friendship Sculpture, Churchill

There is a Jubilee Stone on Backwell Hill, which was originally erected to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897.  The dates of George V’s Silver Jubilee and Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilees are also inscribed upon it, together with the coronation dates of Edward VII, George V, George VI and Elizabeth II.

Jubilee Stone, Backwell Hill

Jubilee Stone, Backwell Hill

There is another Jubilee Stone on the south west edge of Martin’s Wood at Barrow Hill near Barrow Gurney.

In Flax Bourton the clock on the tower of St Michael’s Church has a crown and the date 1897 on it and outside the village hall a stone has been erected to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.  The village also has a Jubilee Inn.

Flax Bourton Church Clock

Jubilee Inn, Flax Bourton

Flax Bourton's Jubilee Stone

Gates with crowns and EIIR on them at West Monkton Village Hall 

These were erected to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee

Tree in Kingston St Mary planted to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee

Pottery mural on the side of a house in St Thomas Street, Wells, commemorating Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee in 2012

Clock Tower in East Harptree

It was erected to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee

Side of the Jubilee Seat near Over Stowey 

This was originally built to commemorate King George V's Silver Jubilee in 1935 but it also has plaques on it celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation, Gold and Diamond Jubilees

Jubilee Seat near Over Stowey

Kilve Jubilee Garden behind the village hall

This was planted to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2012.

Kilve Jubilee Garden

Plaque in Kilve's Jubilee Garden

Stoke St Mary's Golden Jubilee Stone, 2002

When the Queen was crowned in 1953, Stoke St Mary commemorated the event with a bus stop!

Stained glass window in St Giles' Church, Thurloxton, which commemorates Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee

Stained glass in St Giles Church, Thurloxton, which commemorates Queen Victoria's accession to the throne in 1837 and Golden Jubilee in 1887

Jubilee Hut at Webber's Post

The original hut was constructed to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee

Stone seat at the top of Ham Hill

This was erected to commemorate King George V's Silver Jubilee in 1935

Jubilee Clock, Minehead

This was erected to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee in 2012

Stone at the top of Brent Knoll, which commemorates Queen Elizabeth II's Silver, Gold and Diamond Jubilees 

Jubilee and Coronation Stone at the top of Brent Knoll

Site of Jubilee Bonfires, which were lit to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden and Diamond Jubilees in 1887 & 1897.

Diamond Jubilee bench overlooking the Milverton bypass roundabout

Surely there must be a better view than this in Milverton?!

Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the Milverton Diamond Jubilee bench

Bench end in Milverton Church to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee in 1977

Victoria Hall in Radstock - this was built to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897

Plaque on Victoria Hall, Radstock

Stone outside Brent Knoll Village Hall commemorating Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee in 2002

Mosaic commemorating Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, Priorswood, Taunton

Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Garden, Priorswood, Taunton

Platinum Jubilee mosaic in the Diamond Jubilee Garden, Priorswood, Taunton

Platinum Jubilee mosaic in the Diamond Jubilee Garden, Priorswood, Taunton

Queen Elizabeth II mural, pedestrian bridge over the railway line,            Station Road, Wellington

This colourful mural was commissioned by Wellington Town Council from Taunton based Aerosol Art to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022.  It features key events that took place during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, including Concorde, the Moon landings, the release of Nelson Mandela from prison, the opening of the Channel Tunnel, the cloning of Dolly the sheep, the death of Princess Diana, the marriage of William and Kate, the 2012 London Olympics and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Golden Jubilee, 2002

Platinum Jubilee, 2022

Platinum Jubilee Floral Cascade, Stogumber Church

Platinum Jubilee Floral Cascade, Stogumber Church

Queen Elizabeth II and Paddington tea party sketch from the 2022 Platinum Jubilee celebrations

These wooden sculptures are in the Kia Ora garden in Cullompton, Devon

Queen Elizabeth II and Paddington TV sketch from the 2022 Platinum Jubilee celebrations

These two metal head sculptures can be found in The Avenue, Minehead.

Platinum Jubilee oak tree, Piele Drive, Taunton

This was planted by 3 nonagenarian residents

Platinum Jubilee Tree, Wellington Park

This tree was planted as part of the Queen's Green Canopy initiative.

Jubilee Garden, Cannington

Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee kneeler in Kilve Church

Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee kneeler, St Andrew's Church, Chew Magna

Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee kneeler, All Saints' Church, Wrington

Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee kneeler

 in St Andrew's Church, Dowlish Wake

Kneelers, St Mary's Church, Ashill

These kneelers commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's Silver, Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilees.

Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee monument next to the Boat Museum in Watchet

Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee bench in Somerton

Another Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee bench in Somerton

Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee bench, South Petherton churchyard

Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee bench, Ilminster

Corfe village green

 The land was given to the parishioners of Corfe to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887.

Analemmatic Sundial on Minehead seafront

This sundial was provided by West Somerset District Council with the support of Minehead Town Council to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty, the Queen in June 2002.  The names of the towns in West Somerset (Minehead, Williton, Watchet and Dulverton) are arranged around the centre and further out the names of all the parishes in West Somerset are listed in alphabetical order in a ring.

Plaque in Crewkerne commemorating the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's Diamond Jubilee visit to the town on 2nd May 2012.

Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Gate, St George's Church, Bicknoller

Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Gate, St George's Church, Bicknoller

Lamp at the entrance to St Andrew's Church, Chew Stoke

According to the plaque on the wall, "This lamp was erected by public subscription in commemoration of the Jubilee of Queen Victoria, 1897"

Pulpit, Church of St James the Less, Halse

This pulpit was designed and carved by William Josiah Giles.  It was given to the church by the villagers of Halse to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897.  Symbols of the four gospels are carved on each corner.

Stained glass window commemorating Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897

All Saints' Church, East Huntspill

Stained glass window commemorating Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887

Church of St John the Evangelist, Staplegrove

Village sign, West Huntspill

This commemorates Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee in 2002.

Jubilee Garden, Norton-sub-Hamdon

Robin collage, Jubilee Garden, Norton-sub-Hamdon

Owl sculpture, Jubilee Garden, Norton-sub-Hamdon

Millennium Wood, Nether Stowey with its Diamond Jubilee Extension

800 trees were planted by children from Nether Stowey Primary School and local residents in 2000 and 2001 to celebrate the Millennium.  The wood was extended in 2012 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.

Victoria Art Gallery, Bath

The Victoria Art Gallery in Bridge Street in Bath was built to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897.  It was designed by John McKean Brydon and opened in 1900.

Henrietta Park, Bath

This park, which covers 4 hectares, was opened to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897.

Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Plaque, North Curry

This plaque was given by Lady Mary Stewart-Wilson, to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.  It was made by local stonemason Duncan Varley and he installed it in the wall of North Curry Parish Council's office and community coffee shop in November 2023.

Riverside Jubilee Walk, Dunster

This walk alongside the River Avill in Dunster Marsh was opened in 2012 and named in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.

Jubilee Hall, Winsham

This was built to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887 and is still in use as a village hall nearly 140 years later.  It was built by Lord Bridport of Cricket St Thomas for use by the villagers as a meeting place and for educational purposes.

Animal themed bench, Victoria Park, Frome

Victoria Park in Frome opened in May 1888 to celebrate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. It was Frome's first public park.

Jubilee Pond, Dulverton

This pond on Abbot's Way was restored for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

     

Jubilee gates, Baltonsborough

These gates at the entrance to the war memorial garden in Baltonsborough commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2012.

                                                                                 

Jubilee Memorial Cottages, Crimchard, Chard

These two cottages were built to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee

This sign, now on display at Chard Museum, commemorates Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897. 

Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Gates, Easton Village Hall