Communities right across North Yorkshire celebrated the second day of festivities for the King’s Coronation – capping off a perfect weekend of events in true Yorkshire spirit.
As a special coronation concert was due to kick off down in London to celebrate King Charles III, who was coronated in Westminster Abbey on Saturday (May 6), residents in Richmond, Northallerton, Thirsk, Ripon and Masham were creating their own unique Coronation events.
In what was, at times, a scorching day in the region, it was perfectly matched by the show of unity, creativity and a fair share of fun thrown in.
Read more: Coronation: North Yorkshire celebrates with events fit for a king
After a live streaming of the coronation in Ripon Cathedral yesterday, today was more about togetherness and party events.
With mountains of Union Jack bunting, paper crowns, and enough tea and scones to feed villages ten times over, you could barely move a mile without seeing another community fair, village event or street party.
The festivities began on Sunday with a coronation event in Priory Gardens in Richmond, which featured activities for all the family, including mini golf, face painting, a live band, and other party games.
Across from a backdrop of cobbled streets and a beautiful square, Priory Gardens was filled with Union Jack flags, bunting, Great Britain hats and music galore.
The event even featured a ‘protector of Charles and Camilla’.
Dressed as an old-style police officer, future Mayor of Richmond, Ian Woods, who also organises history tours around the town, was dressed as Charles Manley; a police officer who was transferred from the newly formed Metropolitan Police in 1844 to become a third police officer in Richmond.
The addition certainly gave a nod to the interesting and vast heritage of Richmond.
From past to present – the event was organised by the community committee of Richmond Council, overseen by Loo Morton, who said that the party “wasn’t for purely royalists,” but was a chance to bring people closer together in Richmond.
Just a bit further south, families enjoyed a fun day at Thirsk and Sowerby Institute – bringing old and young together, with the event including a bouncy castle, stalls, and a ball pit.
Organiser of the event, Rebecca Dixon, decided to set up the event after feeling like the Coronation in London was “less personal”.
She added: “It’s better to have a family fun day, because you feel a little away from the Coronation and like you’re not fully part of it, so it’s about bringing the community here in Thirsk.”
The day was capped off with the most unique event of the day – the Parade of Floats in Masham.
Compiling around 30 vehicles, everything from tractors to Ferraris and from horses to farm wagons, the convoy set off from L’Ansons Mill before making its way through Masham for the crowds of people watching on.
In a strong show of community, the floats included groups such as Mashamshire Litter Busters, Masham Women’s Institute, the rainbows, guides, and brownies, while the whole thing was soundtracked by music from Reeth Brass Band.
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