Description:In the absence of the traditional village green, the Rowley Street Methodist Church Hall, with its attractive decorations of streamers and flags, provided an excellent substitute for the crowning of the church’s May Queen, Miss Margaret Anthony and the installation of the new Sunday School Captain, Alan Peake, who is seen on her right in the centre of this group of young people of the church.
The celebrations opened with a short concert, given by the primary department of the Sunday School. Afterwards came the great occasion, with the retiring May Queen, Queen Carnation, Miss Pauline Clark, with her court together with the retiring Sunday School Captain, Clive Preston as they took their places on the stage with Queen Carnation on the throne for the last time. She thanked her “subjects” for the help they had given her in the last twelve months.
Then there was a bugle fanfare, and Queen Tulip, Miss Margaret Anthony and the new Sunday School Captain Alan Peake took their place on the thrones. Miss A Goodwin, an old member of the Sunday School performed the crowning and installation ceremonies. After the crowning the courtiers of the new Queen paid homage to the throne, presenting Queen Tulip with posies of flowers, which were placed at her feet. The Sunday School Captain gave his blessing and the ceremony closed. The occasion was watched by a large crowd of parents and friends.
This photograph was published in the Staffordshire Newsletter on Saturday 10 May 1952. Reproduced by kind permission of the Staffordshire Newsletter who retain copyright.