In May 1902, a meeting was held in the Church Schoolroom, presided over by Mr. G. F. Luttrell, to decide how Dunster should celebrate King Edward VII’s forthcoming coronation. Preb. Hancock suggested that they follow the same format as they had for Queen Victoria’s jubilee in 1887: a procession to church for service, a dinner, a tea for children, sports on the Lawns, and a bonfire on Grabhurst. This model was accepted, subject to sufficient funds being raised. A free dinner would be provided for all males and females above 14 years of age, and a free tea for all those under 14 years of age. It was unanimously resolved that the Dunster celebration would be on Thursday June 26th. In addition to the General Committee, a Ladies Committee was appointed to oversee the refreshments. Collectors were appointed to establish how many would be attending the celebrations and collect subscriptions towards the cost.
Unfortunately the coronation had to be postponed due to the King being taken ill. Dunster’s Coronation Festival Committee decided unanimously to abandon all festivities, and a sub-committee was appointed to dispose of the provisions. A special service of intercession was held in St George’s Church, and was very well-attended. Mrs Luttrell was keen that the children of Dunster should not be disappointed, and gave her annual school treat earlier than usual; the invitation was also extended to the children of the Wesleyan Day School. A bountiful tea was prepared by Mrs Cranstone, Mrs Hine, Mrs Cuthill, Miss Scott, Miss Craze, and Miss Rowe. The tea was laid in the schoolroom, but before eating, Mrs Luttrell told the children: “My dear children, before you have your tea, I want to tell you why I give it to you today. Finding it was the wish of the King that children should not be disappointed of their treat, I thought I would give you your tea quietly; but I could not, owing to the sad illness of the King, let you have any games or sports as usual afterwards. These we hope to give you later on if the life of the king is mercifully spared to us. I know you will all rejoice to hear he is better, and I trust the prayers of the empire have been heard for his safe recovery” – (applause). The National Anthem was then sung.
Three months later, on Saturday 9th August, the coronation took place, and Dunster Coronation Committee’s plans were put into action. This report from the West Somerset Free Press (Saturday 16 August 1902) gives a vivid description of a lively and enjoyable event:
The committee commenced their preparations with a balance in hand of £55, decided that the programme should carried out as arranged for June last. The president was G. F. Luttrell, Esq., the vice-presidents the Rev. Preb. Hancock and the Rev. R. Groves, the secretary, Mr. J. H. Davies, and treasurer, Mr. W. Ludlow, and there was an energetic general committee of ladies and gentleman. Three special subcommittees were appointed, viz., a dinner committee, a sports committee, and a ladies committee, to carry out arrangements for the tea, presided over by Mrs. Luttrell.
At 9:30, the school children assembled, and, each carrying a flag, marched, in procession to the Priory. Here, while singing, medals, the gift of Mrs. Luttrell, were placed on each child by Mrs. Hancock and the Misses Hancock. Mrs. Hancock also kindly presented each child with chocolate. They then marched through High-Street to the Castle. Here the children were received by Mr. and Mrs. Luttrell and the Misses Luttrell. All those children who were under eight years old were June 26th given a Coronation mug by Mr. and Mrs. White, of the Post-office. Today, all between eight and fourteen were given mugs by Mrs. Luttrell. Mr. and Mrs. Luttrell spoke a few words to the children, who then marched into West Street and dismissed.
Divine service took place in the parish church at eleven a.m. The Coronation service as published was taken the Revs. J. U. Todd and C. H. Shaw, in the unavoidable absence of Preb. Hancock through illness. There was a large congregation. The service concluded with the National Anthem. The townspeople assembled on the Castle lawns at one o’clock, where preparations had been going on for two days previously for dinner and tea. About three hundred sat down to very substantial dinner consisting of beef, mutton, ham, pickles, salads, and hot plum puddings. G. F. Luttrell, Esq., took the chair, and at the conclusion of the repast mentioned the regret of the parishioners at the illness of their vicar. He then proposed the King’s health and also that the Queen and the rest of Royal Family, both toasts being most loyally honoured.
The time between dinner and tea were delightfully spent in watching some exceedingly pretty and unique floral end other dances, which were performed by children. There were also competitions for the best decorated dolls mail-carts, to be wheeled by children under seven, and for the best fancy child’s costume. The first item on the programme was a very pretty floral dance by sixteen children, who were dressed in white, with coloured sashes and wreaths of flowers. The children did their part well and the dance was very effective. Next followed the mail-cart competitions, which caused great amusement among the crowd of on-lookers, as many of the little ones, who could scarcely toddle, had considerable difficulty in propelling their tiny carts round the ring.
The first prize was awarded to Phyllis Bethel, whose mail-cart contained two dolls cleverly dressed to represent the King and Queen in their Coronation robes. The second prize was gained by Muriel Hardwick whose tiny cart was charmingly decorated. After this some sets of quadrilles were faultlessly performed by 32 small children. This dance was very greatly appreciated by the spectators and an encore was demanded.
The next item was the fancy dress competition, for which there had been number of entries. All the various dresses showed that great care and skill had been expended on their composition. The following well-known characters were represented:- “Little Lord Fauntleroy,” Clifford Faller; “Little Boy Blue,” Cyril Evered; “The Little Red Riding Hoods,” Violet and Lily Evered; “Jack and Jill,” Owen and Gilbert Davis; “The Queen of Hearts,” Kate Brailey; “Bo-Peep,” Evelyn Tisson; “Little Miss Muffet,” Phyllis Bethel; “Mother Hubbard and her dog,” Olive Perry and “Grip Cranstone”;’ “Where are you going to my Pretty Maid?” Ivy Gill; and “Folly,” Bessie Hawker. The prizes were awarded to “Mother Hubbard,” “Jack and Jill,” “Bo-Peep,” and “My Pretty Maid.” Mrs. Luttrell and Mrs. Hancock, who kindly acted as judges for the children’s competitions, were so pleased with all the costumes that they thought a prize ought to be given to each competitor.
Then followed the May-pole dance, which was a most picturesque performance. It was danced by twelve girls, who were charmingly dressed in art-coloured muslin frocks. The dance, which consisted of four very intricate-looking plaits, was performed in graceful and fairy-like manner. Each girl plaited ribbon, the colour of which corresponded with her dress, the result being highly effective. It was exceedingly nice to see the revival of one of our oldest English dances. Next came another floral dance by 24 children, who were daintily clad in bright muslin frocks. Each girl held a light and tastefully arranged wreath of flowers. This dance was, if possible, even prettier than its predecessor.
Then followed a variety class for decorated vehicles. The first was gained by the “Queen of the Geisha” who was drawn around the ring on a most cleverly devised Japanese rickshaw by two dear little Japanese gentlemen, the third bringing up the rear with two Japanese lanterns. The second prize was gained by Elsie Ridler for her bicycle, which was decorated in a most patriotic fashion. This brought a highly-interesting and entertaining programme to an end. The excellent way in which the children all performed their various drills and dances reflects great credit on Miss Hancock, Miss Scott, and Mr. Tipson, and many thanks are due to them for all the time and trouble which they must have expended on the training of the children. Very many thanks are also due to Miss Bond, who most kindly played for the children’s dances and drills, to Mrs. Cranstone, who gave much help with the children’s dresses, and to Mr. Webber for all his trouble over the erection of the May-pole, &c.
The ladies’ committee, who had been working very hard to get the tables ready for tea, now placed before the women and children an excellent tea, consisting of the usual fare, bread and butter and cake, and in addition, cream, jam, and various fancy confectionary. About 300 sat down, and all expressed themselves delighted. There was refreshment tent with beer, stout, cider, and aerated waters in charge of Mr. R. Siderfin, helped by Mr. H. Hobbs.
The sports commenced shortly after half-past four, and included the following: 100 yards race for boys under 15, 100 yards for boys over 15, steeplechase, three-legged race under 14, three-legged race over 14, three-legged race over 40, animal race, egg-and-spoon race, half-mile cycle, quarter-mile flat under 16, cigarette and ginger beer race, high jump under 12, high jump over 15, high jump under 15, half-mile flat, tortoise cycle, wheelbarrow race, hurdle race, pebble race and veterans race.
The judges were Dr. Hayes, Supt. Perry, and Mr. A. Hole.; starter, Dr. Barnes; clerks of course, Messrs. Risdon and Eames. A subcommittee had taken great trouble to make arrangements for the sports, and everything want without hitch.
While the sports were in progress, dancing took place to the strains of a piano, ably played by Mr. Harling, F.R.C.O. The piano was placed on a waggon, under canopy which had been artistically designed by Mr. Harling, and the erection of which took place under his immediate supervision.
It would be invidious to mention the name of any single worker as deserving special praise. Everyone did his or her level best, and it resulted in a most enjoyable and delightful gathering. It should be mentioned that Mrs. Luttrell presided rosettes and medals tor the whole of the committee. The day’s proceedings closed at eight o’clock.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about the Dunster celebrations for the 1902 coronation. I’m intrigued as to what a “cigarette and ginger beer race” entails – to negotiate the course without spilling any ginger beer whilst smoking a cigarette? I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can enlighten me!
Sources
West Somerset Free Press – Saturday 24 May 1902
West Somerset Free Press – Saturday 28 June 1902
West Somerset Free Press – Saturday 5 July 1902
West Somerset Free Press – Saturday 16 August 1902
