The Coronation celebrations started on Friday at Christ Church, Walmsley in Egerton and Walmsley C.E. Primary School. The school and church have worked together to host a heritage open day in church, with crafts from the school children, home baking by local volunteers and memorabilia stretching back to the reign of Queen Victoria on display. The church was open to the public all day and well attended with many stopping to see look back at the historical memorabilia and enjoy a cup of coffee and cake.
The school and church also hosted a joint Coronation of two lucky children, it was even featured on ITV news! Included in the video here is curate Revd Hannah Lane making her television debut.
In the afternoon, schoolchildren from years 3-6 led a concert of hymns to a packed church. It was a truly fabulous event for all ages.
Revd Hannah Lane said, “Today has been a tremendous event, with a steady stream of people from all over Bolton coming into church. We have a close relationship with the school and it has been wonderful to have the children and their parents in church singing for the king ahead of this weekend’s celebrations.”
Reader Emeritus of the Turton Moorland team, John Evans added, “I am a huge royalist and today have brought in memorabilia for the displays that dates back to the Coronation of Queen Victoria. I'm hoping to add some more items to my collection following the Coronation of King Charles III.
"At the heart of the Coronation is a Christian service that dates back hundreds of years, and as I approach my 80th birthday later this year, it becomes all the more important to me to look back and value our history. My Grandma was 15 when Queen Victoria died and I was 10 years old at Queen Elizabeth’s coronation; these national events remain with you for the rest of your life. I hope these children singing today are creating memories that will last a lifetime.”
Walmsley Christ Church and Walmsley C.E. School truly organised an event for all ages.