Stratford will mark King Charles III’s coronation with a giant crown that lights up at night
STRATFORD’S very own jewel in the crown is due to be unveiled today (Thursday).
A new coronation crown has been commissioned to mark King Charles III’s coronation and will take pride of place on the roundabout at the top of Bridge Street.
The 4m-high installation, which will also be illuminated at night, was commissioned by Stratford Christmas Lights Committee and funded with a generous donation of £5,000 from Stratford Town Trust.
Made of sheet metal and with a diameter of two-and-a-half metres, the crown was made by Matthew Jacques, workshop director of Mi Workshops, Billesley.
Matthew Coombes, chairman and director of Stratford Christmas Lights Committee, said: “All the people at the Christmas Lights Committee are volunteers and it’s a pleasure to decorate the town for the coronation. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and the chance to say ‘God Save the King’.”
Stratford resident, Matthew Jacques, who was born and bred in the town, started work on the project six weeks ago.
“Stratford’s my hometown and I’m really happy to be making the coronation crown,” he told the Herald. “We can pretty much make everything – from theatre sets to props, which we did for the Bonnie and Clyde stage production. The crown is ready and, yes, it does light up.”
Stratford has previously featured a large crown to celebrate royal occasions – for the coronations of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 and King George VI King George in 1937.
While King George’s crown in Bridge Street lit up for the crowds, the Queen’s didn’t, as the Herald reported at the time.
According to the 5th June 1953 edition: “Many townspeople made a special journey to Market Cross [top of Bridge Street] on coronation night to see the crown on the traffic island lit up. Unfortunately, those responsible had found it beyond their powers to illuminate it.”
Other decorations for the coronation include flags, bunting and smaller crowns on poles in the town centre.
Dr Roy Lodge, the community and business liaison member of the lights committee, added: “I am hoping this inspires businesses to support us later in the year for Christmas, particularly the new businesses to the town. I’m sure the coronation will give a wow feeling to people.”
The Christmas Lights Committee has been planning the coronation celebrations since January and has been supported by: Stratford Town Trust, Mi Workshops, Stratford District Council, Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire Tim Cox, Wright Engineering and Graham Martyn Builders, Stratford.
