LEWISPORTE — As a 10-year-old attending Grade 5 at the United Church school in Botwood almost 60 years ago, Cyril Peckford of Lewisporte can recall in detail the day of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
As the Diamond Jubilee of the Queen was marked with celebrations, Mr. Peckford thought back to his school days and the excitement around this event.
“I remember we got a day out of school for the Coronation,” he said. “We didn’t have a television back then, so we tuned into the radio to listen.”
Mr. Peckford also remembers the special keepsakes that were presented to each student.
“There was so much excitement when the cartons were opened,” he said. “It was just like Christmas.”
Once the cartons were opened the students were thrilled to receive a tin bearing the likeness of the new Monarch. Inside there were treasures in the form of English toffee.
“They were so delicious,” Mr. Peckford recalled. “It was a real treat, and we knew better than to go and eat them all at once.”
The students also received a Coronation medallion to mark the occasion.
The Pilot thanks Mr. Peckford for sharing his Coronation memories and welcomes anyone out there with memories, mementos or photos of their own related to this event to share it with newspaper readers by e-mailing editor@pilotnl.ca or call Karen Wells at 535-6910.
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