Page 8 - 375457 NLP263064 BB Magazine (April Issue 97)

COMMUNITY ///
LINLITHGOW MEMORIES OF THE 1953 CORONATION
8 BLACK BITCH ISSUE 97 APRIL 2023
The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth on Tuesday June 2nd 1953 was marked by a number of events in Linlithgow.
In the weeks leading up to June 2nd, school children were presented with commemorative gifts from West Lothian County Council Education Committee. Junior pupils received an inscribed gold-rimmed glass beaker and a tin of sweets, while older pupils were given propelling pencils and dictionaries. In Linlithgow, the Town Council gave all pre-school children a mug and sweets and these were handed out at the Burgh Halls. Parents had to take the child’s ration book with them when collecting the gifts. The Town Council also offered senior citizens a gift of five shillings.
On the Sunday before the big day, there was a service in St Michael’s Church at 11am, attended by organisations and civic leaders from all over West Lothian. Linlithgow’s Provost, Mr David Morrison, wasn’t there, however, as he had been invited to the Coronation in Westminster Abbey and
was already on his way to London.
At 6.30pm, there was a youth rally in the church.
On Monday June 1st, two Coronation Balls took place in the town – the Town