AS the conurbation prepares to mark King Charles III’s coronation this weekend, residents have been looking back at the last historical event.
Those who remember the coronation of Queen Elizabeth ll in June of 1953 have shared their memories of the special day.
Eddie Martin, aged 93, remembers there being a “great atmosphere” in Bournemouth town centre.
He told the Daily Echo: “I was 23 at the time, single, and working in Bournemouth on the Woolworth's shop in the square as a carpenter and shopfitter.
“I spent the coronation day with my workmate, Terry Whiteside, going on a sort of pub crawl around Bournemouth.”
Eddie has shared a photograph of Bournemouth Square on coronation day in 1953.
The original photo belonged to his late wife Rose, who used to work in the Bobby's department store.
He describes how there was “bunting everywhere” and many people wandering around as most didn’t have a television to watch the ceremony.
Now a resident at The Potteries in Poole, Eddie is looking forward to celebrating King Charles III’s coronation.
The care home will be holding a party residents and visitors by showing the ceremony live in its cinema from 11am, followed by a singalong, and lots of tea and cake.
Eddie’s daughter, Denise, said she suspects her dad will celebrate with a beer for 'old time's sake'.
Pat Howells has also shared images from a street party in Bournemouth, which celebrated Queen Elizabeth ll's coronation in 1953.
She was only five years old at the time and doesn’t recall exactly what she did on the day but does remember moments of the party in Old Priory Road.
Pat, who now lives in Ferndown, said: “I was visiting family and they had said there was a street party around the corner which we were allowed to go to.
“From what I remember there were lots of adults and children down Old Priory Road with long tables covering the whole street. It was a grand turnout for the occasion.”
Last year, Pat hosted a small street gathering for the Queen’s platinum jubilee but said she will be watching the coronation of King Charles III from home.
More than 170 street parties have been planned by residents across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole for this weekend's event.
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