John Marshall's role in the celebrations for the 1902 Corronation celebrations The sudden illness of King Edward VII two days before his Coronation on June 26th 1902 caused the local celebrations to be partly postponed. The day, however, was observed as a public holiday in the town, and special church services were held. In the morning the Mayor presented mugs to nearly 800 children, who later enjoyed a tea on the Common. Here the Mayor and Mayoress distributed gifts of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Matthews – a ¼ lb of tea to all poor women of 60 years and over, a ¼ lb of tobacco to all men of a similar age, and a commemorative box of chocolates was given to children of members of local friendly societies. Earlier in the day seven to eight hundred adults enjoyed a dinner of roast beef and plum pudding, with a pint of ale for each person. The meal was served on the Common, the catering being carried out by Mr. John Marshall of The Kings Head. I have to say that if this programme was a “part postponed” version of the planned events, I can’t imagine what the additional activities would have been.
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