Skegness Magazine

Source: Skegness Standard 20th February 1952
Photo: Wrates, Pier, Skegness

Proclamation at Skegness - Silent Crowd Outside Town Hall

Elizabeth II of Great Britain was formally proclaimed at Skegness on Thursday. The official document was read at the Town Hall by Coun G F Swaby (chairman of the Council).
Soon after 2pm a crowd began assembling on Roman Bank opposite the Town Hall. Children from the junior school arrived under supervision of their teachers shortly before the ceremony was due to commence.
Gathering inside the Town Hall were many members and officials of the Urban District Council, with their wives.
Then, just after 2.30pm, Coun Swaby stepped out onto the purple-draped balcony. With him were the Town Clerk (Mr I M Cule), Rector of Skegness (Rev G R Sansbury) and Rev B W Tinkler (the town’s Methodist minister).
A Council official raised the Union Jack to full mast. Mr Tommy Gore sounded his bugle.
Then Coun Swaby read the proclamation. Everyone stood silent and motionless.
“God save the Queen” concluded Coun Swaby and then the immense silence was suddenly broken by the playing of the National Anthem followed by the many children’s voices blending in unison for three cheers for the new Queen.

Photograph taken after the proclamation of Queen Elizabeth II at Skegness. Schoolchildren and adults posed beneath the party on the balcony which includes Coun G F Swaby (chairman of the Council), Joseph Crawshaw (vice-chairman). A Denham. Elsa Barratt, S Chester, C E Fry and A Corden, Mr Ivor M Cule (Town Clerk), Rev G R Sansbury (Rector of Skegness), Rev B W Tinkler (Council Chaplain), Mr Milton Turner (assistant Town Clerk), and Mt Tommy Gore (conductor of Skegness Town Band).