Golden memories of a glorious day

SISTERS Elaine and Susan Tattersall can remember the Silver Jubilee street party in The Close, Clayton-le-Moors, as if it was yesterday.

Today the girls whose joyous celebrations were captured by a Lancashire Evening Telegraph photographer are preparing to do it all again.

Elaine, who was 15 in 1977, now has the surname Wright, and still lives in Clatyon-le-Moors.

She is now employed as the secretary for the Mayor of Hyndburn and has spent much of the run up to this year's jubilee organising which local events the Mayor, Coun Sandra Hayes, will attend.

Susan, 13 at the time, is now a teacher who lives in Accrington and plans to attend the main events in Hyndburn in Oak Hill Park.

Elaine said: "It was a long time ago but I remember that it was really good and a very nice day weather wise - although I was mortified when that photograph appeared in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

"We lived on a small cul-de-sac then and it was the first time everyone had got together and pitched in for a big celebration of that sort."

The sisters' parents, Brian, 61, and Doreen, 62, still live in The Close although they have moved to a different house since the Silver Jubilee festivities, which they helped to organise and stitch the bunting for.

Susan said: "My memories of the Silver Jubilee are a bit hazy but I remember taking part in a play for the neighbours along with some of the other children.

"It was a really enjoyable time and I am looking forward to this year's events in Oak Hill Park too."

Helmshore County Primary School in Gregory Fold, which gave pupils Jubilee mugs 25 years ago, kick-started the party mood this time around with a period-costume yard party.

Commemorative Jubilee coins and balloons will be given to the pupils.

Headteacher Christine Myers said the children were keen to know what the Golden Jubilee stood for.

"We have been learning the national anthem and studying how life has changed over the last 25 years. At first they were not really sure who the Queen was or what it all meant."

And more than 300 pupils at the school have been working on the special memory book featuring local residents' tales of life in Helmshore since the 1952 Coronation.

Youngsters in Downham, where the village had its own Jubilee Fair in 1977, won't forget the Golden Jubilee in a hurry.

Not only are they to receive commemorative mugs direct from Buckingham Palace, a party will be held for the youngsters in the grounds of Downham Hall, home to Lord and Lady Clitheroe, on Bank Holiday Monday.

There will also be an afternoon tea and sing-along for elderly villagers. Organiser Eileen Wilson said the mugs, which feature the Queen's head and the royal coat of arms, were a gift from Buckingham Palace.

More than £5,000 was spent producing 10,000 souvenir mugs in 1977 for schoolchildren in the Ribble Valley.

This year Pleasington Parish Council have followed with the tradition and are giving a commemorative mug to every household in the parish.

Secretary Eileen Smith said: "It is really great to re-enforce the community spirit here and we are really proud. We hope people will keep them and remember the day in another 25 years!"

Bowling matches, a gala dinner and a street barbecue will all keep Pleasington residents busy over the weekend.

Pupils at St Mary's CE School, Mellor, took a step back in time today to celebrate the Jubilee - just as they did in 1977.

They took part in a fancy dress parade in the school grounds wearing a costume from their favourite character of the past 50 years.

And to give their parade a royal touch, they were visited by Ribble Valley Mayor Joyce Holgate.

Head teacher Chris Taylor said the children had been learning about the Royal family in their history lessons and looking forward to the celebrations.

Two nurseries have re-created the 'street party' they had 25 years ago with a majestic red, white and blue crown parade.

Heather Bullcock, headteacher at Ashworth Nursery, in Addison Close, Blackburn, said: "The nursery has grown in size by twenty five per cent since the Silver Jubilee and the overwhelming majority of children are now Asian so things have certainly changed in one respect.

"But the children enjoy beautiful toys that weren't even on the market then and they are all really excited about the big day."

And four-year-old Beth Chandler is going down to Buckingham Palace to get a taste of London tributes herself.

Cheryl Spencer, group leader at Rishton play group in Church Street, said: "It is really important to give the children something to remember.

"I remember the mugs and even the pink outfit the Queen was wearing for the Silver Jubilee speech."

St Gabriel's Church organised a Jubilee concert in 1977, acting out the Queen's Coronation.

And 25 years on, the church Sunday school in Brownhill Drive, Blackburn, will be hosting a special themed party for the children.

Curate Paul Sweeting, 34, said: "We don't want to be over the top but we still want to make it an occasion to remember.

"Fifty years on the throne is quite an achievement and it is quite a significant moment in our history."

But for some who celebrated 25 years ago, parties will not be possible this time round.

The fact that Charnley Street houses in Blackburn - once the scene of joyous street celebrations - have been bulldozed is a stark reminder of the void between "then and now".

"It was pulled down at least 15 years ago and we are all working across Jubilee weekend so I don't think there will be any parties this time round!" said Tom Hargreaves, a technician at Tower Laundry Services in the street.

And St Andrews Church playgroup in Livesey has relocated three times in 25 years because of financial difficulties.

The 30-strong group currently meet in houses after leaving the church three years ago and then the local school.

Rev Nick Whetton of St Andrews said: "Jubilee corresponds with our 125th anniversary celebrations so although we have organised special prayers we will not be having any street parties."