This month our residents and staff joined the nation in marking the King’s Coronation. King Charles III is the 40th British monarch since 1066.
In London, thousands of people lined the streets to mark the occasion with more than 18.8 million tuning in at home to watch the live broadcast from Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6th May.
At Red Homes Healthcare we were proud to turn red, white and blue for the occasion with lots of celebratory activities as well as time for quiet reflection throughout the weekend.
An event like no other, it is 70 years since the world witnessed a British monarch being crowned and for some it will be the only time that they have shared in such a royal occasion. For many at Red Homes they were lucky enough to remember the coronation in 1953 and the celebrations brought back happy childhood memories.
For others it was a chance to come together and celebrate our new King while remembering our late Queen. What the event had in common for everyone was the opportunity to share new memories together.
A time of reflection and celebration
Times have certainly changed since the last Coronation in 1953 and for many this brought back memories of the Queen’s Coronation with comparisons to how different the two days seemed.
Mary Clifton was only 11 years old when she watched the Queen’s coronation on television at her Aunt’s house as they didn’t have a television at home.
Talking about the day she said:
“I can remember that it rained all day. I don’t think the King’s Coronation Service was as a long as the Queen’s but it was nice to watch the King’s Coronation in colour.”
It was a memory shared by many who watched the Queen’s coronation at the cinema or in groups around small TV sets.
Pearl Allison remembers her Dad going out specifically to buy a TV for the family to watch the Queen’s Coronation.
Mary Morton was 17 years old when her parents bought a TV to watch the coronation on a ‘very small screen’. So, the King’s coronation was very different in comparison as she shared the experience in Red Roofs lounge with other residents.
She said;
“The Queen’s celebrations seem much bigger but perhaps that was because it was just after the war. Everyone had street parties but I lived in Derby and we did not live on a street, so our party was held in a field.”
For others this was the first time that they were able to fully see and mark a royal coronation. Josephine was pleased to see the King’s coronation on the television as when she was younger they didn’t have a television so didn’t see much of the coronation.
“I can remember seeing pictures of the Queen in the newspaper but we didn’t have a TV to watch it on.”
Ken doesn’t remember joining in in any celebrations for the Queen as they only lived in a small village so for him the King’s coronation was very different.
Serving up a celebratory lunch
Along with millions of other households across the country Red Homes joined the Coronation Big Lunch on Sunday. Designed to bring together communities in celebrating the occasion Queen Camilla has been the patron of the Big Lunch initiative since 2013.
Pulling out all the stops all three homes were specially decorated for the occasion with residents invited to share a special lunch together.
This included the spinach and broad bean Coronation Quiche which had been specifically chosen by Charles III and Queen Camilla as the signature dish for the coronation celebrations. Designed by royal chef Mark Flanagan it definitely got a thumbs up at Red Homes and we all enjoyed a party atmosphere for the picnic style lunch.
Decorations and games
It was a time for uniting and sharing experiences, and one way each of the homes helped to achieve this was through their creative activities. Each home was decorated in a variety of bunting and regal decorations with residents encouraged to create their own decorations as well.
Coronation themed games brought lots of laughter to the homes with art workshops providing an opportunity to show our creative flair. It was a time for us all to unite and whatever our views, or memories, we all certainly had lots of fun preparing and celebrating the big day.
