Memories of Royal Events in Kirkham

Along with the rest of the UK and Commonwealth, Kirkham is set to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II this year, but it won’t be the first time a major royal event has been celebrated in Kirkham.

As far back as the 1880s, there are reminders in Kirkham of royal celebrations and visits. Most people will have noticed the lamp that stands outside the United Reform Church, which was erected by the people of the town to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887, or the crown sculpture located on the opposite corner, which celebrates the Diamond Jubilee of our current queen, but perhaps less obvious are some of the other ways in which Kirkham has commemorated royal events past.

Did you know for example that the avenue of trees along Dowbridge was planted to celebrate the coronation of Elizabeth II or that the streets of Kirkham were decked out in red, white and blue to celebrate a visit by King George V in 1913?

Local newspaper reports describe a “mammoth firework tableau, accompanied by the national anthem” at the conclusion of Kirkham’s celebrations when our current queen’s father King George VI was crowned and in 1902 a “great torchlight procession” was organised to celebrate the coronation of Edward VII.

Maybe you have your own memories of celebrating royal events in Kirkham and Wesham? If so we would love to hear from you. You can email your story to getintouch@kirkhamtreasures.co.uk

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