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"I didn’t take on board at
the time how historic the event was going to be," she
told ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Bristol.
"I cut out everything and put it in a box, and it wasn’t until
just before the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977 it suddenly
hit me that I really ought to do something.
"So I gathered everything together and created scrap
books as best I could."
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| A River Pageant
in Bristol celebrated the Coronation |
Here on the website, we've
used Natalie's pictures and memories to produce a summary
of a year in the life of Bristol's Coronation queen:
June 1st 1953
After her investiture as Miss Bristol on May 30th, Natalie's
first official engagement was at Mina Road School in Easton
on June 1st.
She declared open a set of bookshelves for the children's
use which were bought using a coronation grant.
After presenting souvenirs she cut the cake for children's
tea.
That afternoon Natalie met
"Uncle Bob" and enrolled as member of Bristol Evening Post
'Pillar Box Club'.
June 2nd - Coronation Day
On the day of the coronation,
Natalie went to the house of a friend who had a television
to watch the ceremony.
In the evening she attended the Coronation Ball at the Colston
Hall in her capacity as Miss Bristol.
"Everyone put so much enthusiasm
in to the preparations for the Coronation," she recalls.
"Everything was home-spun
fun in those days, nothing manufactured like we enjoy today."
June 6th
Western Daily Press Coronation
Decoration Contest.
Natalie was on a panel of judges with the Lord Mayor and Mayoress
and editor of the Western Daily Press Mr Eric Buston.
The panel toured the streets and Natalie recalls they were
all very well decorated. They chose three to go through to
the final: Dean Crescent, Penfield Street and Mansfield Street.
Mansfield Street was the eventual winner.
June
18th
Bristol
Savings Committee's Annual Rally at Bristol Zoo
Natalie shared the platform with the Lord Mayor the Alderman
and his wife.
Some 700 voluntary workers were in the audience and Natalie
was invited as a special guest together with "Mr.Thrifty".
Inside the Mr Thrifty costume was Keith Clarke, the son of
the secretary of the Savings Industrial Sub-Committee.
August
1st
Fire
Service National Benevolent Fund Coronation Garden Fete.
Natalie was originally invited to assist in judging the fancy
dress contest and present prizes but she ended up also opening
the fete.
Star guest Billy Daniels, an "Old Black Magic" singer appearing
at Hippodrome, failed to turn up on time.
An Avon Fire Services display enthralled the children but
Natalie was disappointed not to get a ride on a fire engine!
September
28th
Milk
Marketing Board "Milk Week"
Natalie opened a publicity stand at Electricity House and
joined in various activities, including posing for several
publicity pictures with a giant milk bottle.
October
10th
Autumn
saw Natalie attend the wedding of the Bristol Rovers Queen
– Barbara Pratten - at Victoria Methodist Church, Whiteladies
Road, Clifton.
November
3rd
Bristol Press Ball, Victoria Rooms.
Natalie presented prizes (Clarks Shoes) at the ‘Cinderella’
competition where dancers had their feet measured!
Guests included the Lord Mayor & Mayoress. The MC was Duncan
Webb who presented her with a spoof newspaper "The Broken
Mirror".
December
31st
New Year's Eve Ball, Colston
Hall.
The MC was Jack Pavey, the Band "Harry Gold and his Pieces
of Eight" supported by Jack Fear and his band.
This was Natalie's final official engagement and ended her
seven-month reign.
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