A Retrospect

1897

May 7 A public meeting was held to consider the Diamond Jubilee celebration. A committee was formed with Mr. Spencer H. BICKHAM, J.P., as chairman. Messrs. L. TILLEY and E. H. HOPKINS were appointed joint secs.

May 14 Another meeting was held, when a programme for celebrating Jubilee day was decided upon.

June 4 During this week the various Sub-Committees appointed for the Diamond Jubilee Celebration reported to the General Committee that all arrangements for the event had been made.

June 10 The Jubilee Celebration Committee recommended that Wednesday, June 23rd, should also be observed as a, holiday, as well as Jubilee Day.

June 21 the Queen's Diamond Jubilee was celebrated with much rejoicing in Ledbury. The Volunteers fired a fue de joie on Dog Hill, at 8 am; at 11 there was a procession of all the public bodies in the town, accompanied by all the school children, being headed by the Worcester Excelsior Band. At the Market Place the National Anthem was sung, and the children sang "God bless the Prince of Wales" After cheers had been given for the Queen the procession wended its way to the Pound Meadow where a long programme of athletic Sports was carried out. At one o’clock there was a dinner of hot roast beef, vegetables and plum puddings for old folks over 60, in the Mission Hall, and all the children sat down to tea in the afternoon around tables erected in High street. In the evening there was a monster bonfire on Bradlow Knoll. All the streets were gaily decorated, and prizes were given for the best three, viz.: The Capital and Counties, 30/-; D & M. BADCOCK, 20/-: Messrs. MAYO & Co., 10/-.

August 20 in the evening the Diamond Jubilee Celebration Committee, at a meeting, reported that over £32 was in hand. It was decided to erect seats as a memorial of the event in different parts of the town.

A Retrospect

1900

May 24 Queen’s Birthday, general holiday and great rejoicings, the town being decorated.