Photograph of George V's Silver Jubilee Celebrations
Taken on 6th May 1935
George V's Silver Jubilee in May 1935 saw scenes of great celebration in Winchester, the day's festivities beginning with a 21 gun royal salute from St Giles' Hill and ending fourteen hours later with 150 men from the RAF carrying lighted torches through the streets, accompanied by their band.
Events included a large procession, a service of thanksgiving in the Cathedral, an address by the Mayor, a mid-day meal for the elderly in the Guildhall, cinema entertainment for the children, an old-fashioned cricket match with curved bats and two stumps, the players from Peter Symonds School sporting top hats and false whiskers, country dancing, a boxing display, a show with a royal theme by children from Winchester's various schools and a subscription dinner.
The RAF base at Worthy Down put on an air display by twenty Bombers and a Moth in the afternoon, and by four lighter planes which were pinpointed by searchlights in the evening. The Mayor and the Dean of the Cathedral were the lucky passengers in two of these planes, able to see the lights of the city below and the beacons lit on hight points in the countryside.
In this photograph crowds wait outside the Guildhall, which was the focus for several events. Many of Winchester's streets were decorated with garlands and flags, and people put up crowns and shields and pictures of King George and Queen Mary in their windows, all adding to the atmosphere of the day and the enjoyment of the thousands of people who flocked to the city centre to watch the celebrations.
The photograph was taken by Winchester photographer F B Heathcote Wride.
