Village Celebrations
Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II 1953
Foreword
Many in our village will remember the closing years of the reign of Queen Victoria and the reign of King Edward VII. Many more will be able to recall the reign of King George V and Queen Mary, including as it did the trials of the First World War. We witnessed the rising tide of affection which our people had for our King and Queen in those years, and the closer contacts made possible through the 'wireless'. We looked on and wondered when the heavy task of kingship passed to King George VI, helped by his splended partner, Queen Elizabeth, now the Queen Mother. More and more as the years went by, we honoured them for their noble example in peace and war, and, all too soon it seemed, that inspiring and courageous Reign was ended.Now there comes to the Throne, a young Queen, Her Majesty Elizabeth II. She has already expressed her devotion to the high and responsible service to which she has been called. May she be given wisdom, health, strength and long years of happiness, and be surrounded always by the affection and loyalty of all her people. Thus, I believe, I express the sincere prayer of the people of this parish.
Signed J. E. Holmes, Chairman of the Parish Council.
Our Village
The occasion of the Coronation, is an appropriate moment to look back upon the history of the village in which we live. There are however limitations which make it impossible to do justice to the subject, and the contents of this brochure are necessarily restricted.Although space forbids more than a brief reference, it would doubtless cause disappointment if we did not make reference to the invaluable service rendered to the village by Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Butland who, under the County Authority, took charge of the Mixed Infants Department. Nor should we forget the teachers who, through the years, have helped mould the character of the children of our village.
The past 150 years have certainly seen considerable progress in education.
Remarkable Family
The older residents of Treeton will find in the following record, something to stir the memory.- Father: Henry Skelton born 1815, died 1895, aged 80
- Mother: Elizabeth Skelton born 1818, died 1897, aged 79
- Daughter: Mary Ann Skelton born 1849, died 1921, aged 72, Spinster
- Son: James Skelton born 1858, died 1934 aged 76, Bachelor
- Son: Henry Skelton born 1863, died 1949 aged 86, Bachelor
Another Family
One could hardly read, unmoved, the following inscription on a tombstone in the churchyardArthur, youngest son of Thomas and Mary Hopwood, of Treeton Mill, who died January, 18th, 1863 age 11. Eleanor their daughter, died March 23rd 1864, aged 16. Thomas son of above, died August 21st 1868, aged 22. Also Herbert Jackson Hopwood, their son, for 8 years Missionary in South Africa, died February 1st, 1876, aged 35.
Darby and Joan
An organisation which has recently been formed in the village is intended to provide opportunity for the older folk to get together. It is certainly popular, and one does hear rumours that love-matches are not beyond the bounds of possibility.Town Crier
William Cornelius Hieatt might be called the Town Crier and Billposter. He could neither read nor write and had to learn his announcements by heart. He died as the result of an accident at Orgreave Colliery in 1924, and nobody has taken his place. It seems that no more shall we hear the bell clanging in the streets and a voice shouting "Notice, the water will be turned off ... " "Notice, a meeting will be held ... "Population
It is most probable that for hundreds of years prior to 1875 the population of the village did not vary considerably. The following figures are of interest :1801 population 312. 1831 population 345. 1862 population 368. 1871 population 383
1891 population 1301. 1921 population 1903. 1931 population 2175. 1953 population 2110 (estimated)
Conclusion
Our alloted space grows full, and we have not mentioned local government, housing, football, cricket, and a host of other local things of interest and importance. We have only been able to make scanty reference to the framework of the life of our village, but after all the human story is the important thing. What kind of people have lived here in years gone by? What kind of people are we ? What is the Treeton of the future to be ? Are we willing to lend a hand, and do we believe that the best is yet to be ?
Crowning of May Queen, 1953
Crowning of May Queen, 1953
June 1953
June 1953
Sports Day June1953
Programme of Celebrations
Thursday 28th MayTravelling Show. Assemble in Pit Lane
Friday 29th May
8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Carnival Dance in the Church School Room. Admission 2s 6d.
Saturday 30th May
1.45 p.m. Assemble at Village Centre. Procession to Cricket Field, led by the Scouts Band
2.15 p.m. Mrs. O. Tomlinson will crown the Sports Queen - Miss Betty Rollinson
2.45 p.m. Sports Commence. 28 events for school children and 28 open events. Prizes for all events to be presented by the retiring and existing Sports Queen. Charge for admission, but children and old people free
Tea and refreshments on sale. Catering by Woodhouse Co-op Society.
8 p.m. Social and Dance in Church Schoolroom. Admission 1s. 0d.
Sunday 31st May
10.30 a.m. Parade of Scouts and Girl Guides
10.45 a.m. United Young Peoples Service in the Methodist Church
8 p.m. At Methodist Church. Programme of Elizabethan Music and Choral Singing by combined choirs. Organist Mrs. C. Rossington. Conductor: Mr. G.T.Dumville. Collection.
Monday 1st June
7 p.m. Fancy Dress Pagaent. Assemble at Recreation Ground and tour the Village. Prizes will be presented at the Recreation Ground. Councillors Tinkler and Naylor will call and present to the parents of every child below school age the souvenir spoons provided by the Parish Council
Residents are invited to decorate the outside of their premises. Prizes will be awarded
Tuesday 2nd June
8.30 a.m. Ringing of Church Bells
8.40 a.m. Assembly at Village Centre, Coronation Celebration Committees and Officials for procession to Parish Church.
9 a.m. United Service in Parish Church conducted by the Rev. T. P. Hounsfield, Rector; Rev. H. G. Hawkes, Methodist; and Rev. A. Beaton, Baptist
4 p.m. Tea for Infants School Scholars in the Council School
4.40 p.m. Tea for old people in the Church School room
7.30 p.m. Impromptu Open Air Dance bottom of Washfield Lane, followed by a Torchlit procession in fancy dress around the village.
Later - Fireworks display and Bonfire in Recreation Ground
Epilogue
Thursday 4th June
2.45 p.m. On the Rectory Lane, 'Coronation Festival' and 'Crowning of the Queen' by children of the County Primary Infants School under the direction of Mrs. O. Tomlinson and her staff.
Committees and Officials
Sports Committee: Councillor Tinkler, Chairman; Mr. H. D. Lyne, Secretary; Rev. T. P. Hounsfield, Messrs. Somerville, Hinchliffe, Knapton, Walker, J. Bloom, Fox, Johnson, H. Bloom, Gratton, Sorsby, B. Naylor, Tomlinson and Billingsby.Entertainment Committee: Mr. J. W. Havard, Chairman; Mr. D. Harper, Secretary; Mesdames Havard, Harper, Smith, Messrs.Harper, Cox, Parrott, K.Tinkler, J.Smith, Sorsby, Spink, Woolhouse and Bates
Coronation Day Teas Committee:Mr. C.V.Rossington, Chairman, Mr.W.C.Spencer, Secretary; Mr.H.Tomlinson, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer; Mesdames C. V. Rossington, G.Brooks, W.Lowe, H.Hircock, J.Love, H.Taylor,W.Harper, F.Rodgers, Aveling, W.Turner, W.Banks, W.Gray, Wardley, G.Gude, R.Taylor and W.C.Spencer, Mr.And Mrs. J.W.Havard, Mr.and Mrs H.Tomlinson, Mr.and Mrs.Stewart, Rev. T.P. and Mrs.Hounsfield, Rev.G. and Mrs.Hawkes, Mr and Mrs C.Tomlinson, Mr and Mrs F. Frost, Mr and Mrs C. Wasteney, Mr and Mrs F. Harvey, Mr. and Mrs, F. Pawson, Mr and Mrs J. Moore, Mr and Mrs D. Havard, Mr and Mrs. J. Bates, Mr and Mrs. H. Manship, Mr and Mrs. V. Johnson, Mr and Mrs. J. Smith, Rev. A. Beaton, Messrs.L.M.Batty, G.T.Dumville, J.Manship and G.Fox.
General Executive Committee
Councillor J. E. Holmes, Chairman, Councillors Tinkler, C.V.Rossington, Batty, Staley,Pawson,Naylor,T.O.Rossington and Manship, Mesdames Rossington Lowe, and O.Tomlinson, Messrs. Havard,Harper,Lyne,Spencer,Dumville, the Revs. Hounsfield, Beaton and Hawkes, Secretary, Mr. W.H.Roberts - Clerk of the Council.
The Executive Committee express their thanks to Councillor T. O. Rossington for his excellent work in compiling the interesting historical notes of Treeton. He has spent much time and labour, within the limited period available, to ensure the accuracy of these notes.