Horley Coronation Fete

  • A still from Horley Coronation Fete (1953) - women at the fete
  • ID no. 2392
  • Accession no. WS 000928 / 1
Date 30 May 1953
Production D. J. Church
Collection Haywards Heath Cine Society
Genre/Type
Theme Commemoration
Summary The patriotic spirit of the 1953 coronation celebrations is well illustrated in this colourful film of a village fete made by a local amateur cine enthusiast.
Description A large banner in the street advertises the Coronation Fete at Horley Cricket Club. Shots of the cricket ground decorated with Union Jacks and flags of St George; tents and marquees have been erected on the grounds. People begin to arrive: "The Organiser - Mr Ron Wilkinson" walks past the camera in his cricket whites. More people arrive at the gate. A ticket to the fete is held up to the camera. General views of the cricket ground before the fete is under way show the tents under stormy skies; men in blazers busy organising and preparing. The events begin with children's races. A variety of races are shown including girls' sprint and a boys' obstacle race. The film then focuses on the sideshows and stalls at the fete. A shot of a tent decorated with bunting and balloons; a man goes inside the tent and pulls out a large bunch of balloons. Another man has a balloon tied to his blazer lapel. A man ties a tag to a balloon then hands it to a woman who lets it go into the sky. There are general views of people walking around the fete, looking at the stalls and sideshows. A boy has a go at the coconut shy, while a man tries his luck trying to knock over bottles on a stand. There are also close-up shots of individuals. Children are given pony rides around the grounds. Four women pose outside the tea tent. The camera continues to focus on the villagers enjoying the fete. In the "Soapbox Derby" children in fancy dress line up with their home-made 'go-carts' at the start line; costumes include girls in grass skirts with their grass hut cart, two boys dressed as sailors with a cart decorated as a boat and two boys dressed as bygone cricketers: Elizabethan, L.Hutton and Victorian, W.G.Grace. The race takes place and two boys dressed as a cowboy and Indian are the winners. There are several of close-up shots of some of the fete organisers. Scenes of the bicycle races are followed by close-ups of some of the participants. A large crowd of mothers show off their babies at the "Baby Show". Inside a marquee a judge makes notes. There is a brief shot of a little boy looking at goldfish in a tank. Back outside, a woman leads a little girl on a horse ride. Further shots of the sideshows include a football penalty game, the coconut shy and a number board with spinning arrow. A couple and a little girl have a cup of tea and a sandwich. Further shots of people enjoying the fete, including 'organiser - Ron Wilkinson', and more close-up shots of individuals. The film ends with brief shots of people leaving the fete.
Keywords Bicycles; Celebrations; Children; Commemorative Events; Coronations; Fetes; Games; Leisure Time Activities; Mothers; Racing
Location
Local Horley
Regional Surrey
National
Credits
Camera D. J. Church
Others A Peak Film 'Gem' Release
Participants
  • Ron Wilkinson
Format
Duration 15 mins
Viewing copy
locations		 Screen Archive South East, University of Brighton;
Surrey History Centre;
Surrey on Film DVD/VHS
This material is protected by copyright. Contact Screen Archive South East for access details.