The Coronation Year 70 Years Ago - September 1953 Part 1

By a curious coincidence of dates, the coronation year 2023 will be 70 years after the coronation date in 1953. I thought it would be of interest to look back during this year of some of the events taking place before, during and after the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Coronation Year 70 Years Ago - September 1953 Part 1

SEPTEMBER

1.—Jersey beats Guernsey in vibrant junior and senior water-polo matches held at Havre des Pas Pool.

2—-St Aubin’s landslide discussed by the parish assembly, it being decided that the attendance of a legal adviser was necessary. Annual meeting of Jersey Sea Fishing Club. .

3.—Farewell dinner given by Jersey branch of Royal Engineers OCA to His Excellency the Lieut-Governor, to whom presentations were made. Final of the Jersey section of the CI. Amateur (Close) Golf Championship played at Grenville, A. A. Collet (R.J.G.C.) beating E. W. Hebert (J.E.G.C.) by 3 up and 2 to play. Horse show, gymkhana and fete held at St. Ouen.

5. Farewell presentations made to His Excellency by the Boy Scouts’ Association at camp-fire held in a field below Government House.Band of the Royal Marines (Portsmouth Division) begin their week of concerts under the aegis of the Tourism Committee.

7.—Bailiff heads local delegation which travelled to St. Brieuc over the week-end to attend the annual exhibition. A number of road accidents reported during the week-end, the most serious being a car crash on Victoria Avenue in which the driver sustained multiple head injuries. Last of the season’s “ live ” variety shows presented at The Forum. Furze fire occurs in St. Peter’s Valley, a large area of cotils being burnt out.

8.—Inquest held on the body of Mr. G. V. Houguez, found shot in a loft at his residence, Rockstone, St. Martin, a, verdict of suicide being recorded. The 10-ton auxiliary cutter Illawara runs on to rock off Gorey but is later refloated and towed into Gorey Harbour. Guest speaker Mr. R. P. Biddle addresses Round Tablers on “The Docks at Southampton.”

9. Inquiry held into the death of a visitor from Canada, Mr Harold Boot, who died whilst on the operating table at the General Hospital, a verdict in accordance with medical evidence being returned. St. Brelade's parish assembly again discuss the St. Aubin landslide, it being decided to repair the High Street and to accept the offer of land.

10. His Excellency Sir Edward Grasett, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., M.C. relinquishes his office as Lieut. Governor and in- a. moving ceremony in the Royal Square takes leave of Island officials and representatives of various public bodies, later leaving for the Airport for his departure by air.—J.M.C. and L.C.C . 50-mile sand race meeting held at St. Ouen, the event being won by M. Daghorn.

11. Large crowd attend final concert given by band of the Royal Marines.

12. Three-month-old baby, twin daughter of Mrs. B. Costard, of Trinity Road, found dead in her pram, a. verdict of death from suffocation being recorded at the subsequent inquest.

14.—Mr. C. Le Vesconte returned as Constable of St. John, defeating Mr. F. Luce, the other candidate, by 309 votes to 243. His Eminence Cardinal Griffin pays visit to the Island, this being the first occasion that such a high dignitary of the Roman Catholic Church has visited the Island.

15. Special sitting of States: Fire Brigade to move to Town Arsenal, £16,470 being voted for conversion of the building; the gift of £150,000 by the Island to the Home Government was acknowledged ; new proposals on the C.I. Court of Appeal from the Home Office were submitted and referred to a special committee ; a request for £22,000 for the lighting of Victoria Avenue was refused ; a credit vote of £50,000 for the construction of a. new eastern telephone exchange was agreed to, as was a £40,000 vote for housing and £17,560 for Airport alterations and £9,500 for the enlargement of Elizabeth House; extensions and improvements to Brighton Road School totalling £39,000 was voted ; various other matters of a. Minor nature were also dealt with. Jersey Life Guard Club hold exploratory meeting.