The Rugby Advertiser reported on the events in the two villages coinciding with the delayed Coronation of Edward VII, which had originally been scheduled for June 26th 1902.
CHURCH LAWFORD AND KINGS NEWNHAM
On Saturday the following programme which had been drawn up by the committee was successfully carried out:-
At 6pm a peal was rung on the church bells, and at 12 noon a Royal salute was fired from the church tower.; 2p.m., divine service; 3p.m., sports; 6 p.m., tea for all parishioners, followed by dancing and fireworks.
At the request of the Rector, the parishioners assembled at the schools and walked in procession to the church, the Village Band first playing the National Anthem. The service was very impressively conducted by the Rector (Rev J P Driver), who also gave an appropriate address.
In addition to the National Anthem, Nos 5, 6, and 8 of the Coronation Hymns were sung. Miss A W Townsend presided at the organ, and was augmented by the Birmingham Toreador String Band which was a great addition to the musical part of the service. The introductory voluntary was “March Majestic” and the concluding voluntary “The Feudal March”.
The follower were the successful competitors in the sports:- Hoop Race, 1 A Pincham, 2 A Hall, 3 H Wright. Three-legged race: 1 W Beers and F Dumbleton, 2 H L Brierly and A Cooke; Sack Race, 1. R Dunn, 2 T Batchelor, 3 T Thorn. Egg and Spoon Race, 1 Mrs Pincham, 2 L Burnham, 3 Mrs Dumbleton. Potato Race: 1 H L Brierly, 2 W Beddin, 3 W Rainbow. Skipping Race 1 Lily Batchelor, 2 F Meanwell, 3 A Pincham. Obstacle Race (Women) 1 Mrs Batchelor, 2 Mrs Gurney, 3 Mrs Dumbleton. Flat Race (handicap for men over 30), 1 J Benn, 2 J Kenney, 3 J Holmes. Wardrobe Race, 1 R Dunn, 2 H Gurney, 3 J Pincham. Saturday to Monday, 1 Mrs H Cooke, 2 Mrs Dumbleton, 3 J A Kenney; special prizes Mrs Pincham and W Thorn.
Mutton-cutting W Thorn. Obstacle race(open), 1 W Beddin, 2 W Thorn. 3 F Sharp. Consolation Race, 1 C Dunn, 2 A Jones, 3 A Meanwell. One of the special features of the sports and the one that caused the most amusement was the Saturday to Monday race. Each competitor received a bag containing a fancy costume of some kind, and upon the report of the pistol each one had to pick up the bag, run about 50 yards, open the bag and dress, and walk back to the winning post properly dressed in the costume allotted to them.
After the sports everyone was ready to do justice to the substantial tea which had been provided at the Manor House. At the conclusion of the repast the company adjourned to the tennis lawn, where dancing was soon in full swing to the strains of the Birmingham Toreador String Band, the grounds again, as on 26th June, being illuminated and decorated by hundreds of fairy lamps. The Rev J Pleydell Driver spoke a few words, referring to the postponement of the Coronation and its cause, and also of the pleasure and thankfulness all felt at the recovery of the King and his Coronation that day. Hearty cheers were given for the King, the Queen, the Prince of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family.
The Rector proposed a vote of thanks to the subscribers, and then to the host and hostess Mr and Mrs E Riley, who had worked so indefatigably on the previous and again on the present occasion to make everyone so comfortable. This was received with hearty cheers and the singing of “He’s a jolly good fellow,” and acknowledged by Mr Riley, who said it gave Mrs Riley and himself great pleasure to do what they had done. A vote of thanks was then passed to Mr H L Brierly for carrying out the arrangements for the sports so well and capably. Mr H L Brierly replied, and said he was much indebted to his helpers for their support.
A vote of thanks was also accorded to Mr T Chalmers for the use of his field in which the sports were held. The prizes won by the successful competitors in the sports were given in money, and were distributed by Mrs Driver. The Rector then said it was the wish of the committee that every child should have a memento of the Coronation, and mugs were accordingly distributed to every one.
The spirit of loyalty was very evident in the display of bunting throughout the two villages. Special mention should be made of the arch erected at the entrance to the school grounds, the design of which was very unique, and ingeniously carried out by Mr J Brierly. In addition to the motto “God Save The King” and other devices, there were three revolving ornaments which, when acted upon by the wind, gave the whole structure an animated appearance, especially at night, when it was illuminated by Chinese lanterns and fairy lamps. Several very pretty arches were also erected across the road leading to the church.
The following telegram was sent by the Rector and an answer received: “The Rector and parishioners or Church Lawford and Kings Newnham, assembled at their Coronation festivities, heartily congratulate their beloved King on his recovery, and wish him a long and prosperous reign”. The reply from Lord Knollys was “The King thanks you sincerely for your kind congratulations”.