Village stages reenactment of Queen's coronation

THE village of Pucklechurch launched its celebrations of the Queen's diamond jubilee with an ambitious re-enactment of her coronation.

The event was organised by St Thomas a Becket church and Pucklechurch Church of England Primary School.

The church, which dates back to 1225, played the role of Westminster Abbey and representatives of village organisations were invited as honoured guests.

School pupils formed the English court while delegates from other primary schools in Mangotsfield, Downend, Staple Hill and Emersons Green represented various Commonwealth countries.

The day began with a procession around the bunting-decked village in a horse-drawn carriage watched by crowds of villagers, including playgroup children and pensioners, who cheered and waved flags.

The congregation, in formal dress, was welcomed at the church by the Bishop of Swindon the Rt Rev Dr Lee Raysfield, who said the jubilee had caught the public imagination and brought people together.

The vicar, the Rev Stuart Young, who played the Archbishop of Canterbury, had adapted the two-hour Coronation liturgy for the occasion and the service included music by Handel, Purcell, Elgar and Vaughan Williams.

The Queen was played by Hannah Gardner and Prince Philip by Edward Baker.

The colourful service included all the main elements of the 1953 ceremony starting with the declaration of the oath and presentation of a Bible. The Sovereign sat in the Coronation Chair facing the altar, covered by a canopy while she was anointed by the Archbishop,

The church choir sang the anthem Zadok the Priest, the words of which (from the first Book of Kings) have been performed at every coronation since King Edgar's at Bath in 973.

After the ceremony, royal banquets were served at the school and the vicarage.

Head teacher David Forrester said the project had enabled the children to learn about the country's heritage.

"We attempted to be as authentic in as many areas as possible with the understanding that most of the roles are performed by children, we have a significantly smaller church and budget and we don't have the armed forces at our disposal," he said.

Mr Young said he had reworded the service to make it more accessible and child-friendly. "It is our desire that, as we all join together in celebration, we can learn and understand more of the long history of our nation; its customs, traditions and rich Christian heritage," he said.

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