A long reign...

I suppose a trip down memory lane was inevitable today..I was in the fourth year at the local HighSchool when news reached us that the king had died. I was the only person who enjoyed the radio at that time because all the entertainment shows like Itma and Mrs Dales diary and even Children's hour were replaced by solemn music. We had no television so listening to the radio was an important part of our lives. I loved the music during the week before the King was buried and his eldest daughter came home to take up her new duties. I heard wonderful symphonies, celestial choral music, a whole world of beauty was rolled out for my delight whilst everyone else groused around me....
I am confusing the moment of the death and the arrival home of the Princess Elizabeth with the time of her coronation which was of course some time later. I was going out with a young man who was a little older than me and neither of us wanted to be involved in the street parties to celebrate the new Queens accession to the throne. We went to Old Trafford to watch a cricket match that day. It was a very small demonstration of our socialist principles...in hindsight I can't remember anything at all about the cricket!
I have recovered in old age from the youthful refusal of a monarchy. I now sing " God Save the Queen " along with everyone else...and I do wish her well...it is an amazing achievement that we celebrate today. And it takes our minds off the rest of the ghastly news...
I enjoyed singing all the music for the coronation in the school choir...even Vivat Regina was tackled with gusto...I am not sure what form the next coronation will take . It will be very different of that I am certain...the whole world has changed completely in the last fifty odd years..and those of us who have survived can now look back and wonder what the next five decades will bring, secure in the knowledge that we won't be here to see it! And I am actually quite glad about that.......

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