Coronation: Richmond, Masham, Thirsk put on events for the community

As a special coronation concert was due to kick off down in London to celebrate King Charles III, who was crowned in Westminster Abbey on Saturday (May 6), residents in Richmond, Northallerton, Thirsk, Ripon and Masham were creating their own unique Coronation events.

In what was, at times, a scorching day in the region, it was perfectly matched by the show of unity, creativity and a fair share of fun thrown in.

After a live streaming of the coronation in Ripon Cathedral on Saturday, Sunday was more about togetherness and party events.

With mountains of Union Jack bunting, paper crowns, and enough tea and scones to feed villages ten times over, you could barely move a mile without seeing another community fair, village event or street party.

Zoë Johnson with Martha and Phoebe (Image: PATRICK GOULDBROUGH)

The festivities began on Sunday with a coronation event in Priory Gardens in Richmond, which featured activities for all the family, including mini golf, face painting, a live band, and other party games.

Milo and Millie dressed up in royal attire (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Across from a backdrop of cobbled streets and a beautiful square, Priory Gardens was filled with Union Jack flags, bunting, Great Britain hats and music galore.

Damien Clarke, Jade Clarke, Winter and Cooper (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

The event even featured a ‘protector of Charles and Camilla’.

Dressed as an old-style police officer, future Mayor of Richmond, Ian Woods, who also organises history tours around the town, was dressed as Charles Manley; a police officer who was transferred from the newly formed Metropolitan Police in 1844 to become a third police officer in Richmond.

Future Mayor of Richmond, Ian Woods, 'protecting' Charles and Camilla (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

The addition certainly gave a nod to the interesting and vast heritage of Richmond.

From past to present – the event was organised by the community committee of Richmond Council, overseen by Loo Morton, who said that the party “wasn’t for purely royalists,” but was a chance to bring people closer together in Richmond.

Loo Morton, organiser of the Richmond event (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Just a bit further south, families enjoyed a fun day at Thirsk and Sowerby Institute – bringing old and young together, with the event including a bouncy castle, stalls, and a ball pit.

Etta, Eva, Ann, Jayne and Aimen Anderson (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Organiser of the event, Rebecca Dixon, decided to set up the event after feeling like the Coronation in London was “less personal”.

Georgina and Sue Wheeler (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

She added: “It’s better to have a family fun day, because you feel a little away from the Coronation and like you’re not fully part of it, so it’s about bringing the community here in Thirsk.”

Thomas and William with their parents Penny and Craig (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

The day was capped off with the most unique event of the day – the Parade of Floats in Masham.

The Reeth Brass Band (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Compiling around 30 vehicles, everything from tractors to Ferraris and from horses to farm wagons, the convoy set off from I’Ansons Mill before making its way through Masham for the crowds of people watching on.

The Masham Women's Institute (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

In a strong show of community, the floats included groups such as Mashamshire Litter Busters, Masham Women’s Institute, the rainbows, guides, and brownies, while the whole thing was soundtracked by music from Reeth Brass Band.

Stuart Robinson, Sean McCourt and Craig Clyde (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

The Masham rainbows, guides and brownies (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

The Mashamshire Litter Busters (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Classic cars were on full show in Masham (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

A range of outfits were on full display in Masham (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)