Celebrations

Includes the end of WW2, Coronations and other Celebrations on the Common as well as elsewhere in Downley.

1923
Maypole dancers raising funds for the Downley War Memorial Hall.


1928
George and Elizabeth Bristow (seated centre) commemorate their Diamond Wedding Anniversary together with their 11 children, grandchildren and great grandchildren outside the Downley War Memorial Hall in June 1928.


1935
Celebrating the Silver Jubilee of George V on the Common


1935
Celebrating the Silver Jubilee of George V on the Common, with George Newell representing Dickie Grey – an old Downley character – with Jim Newell and Ted Patey as the front and back respectively of one of his string of donkeys.


1937
Celebrating the Coronation of George VI on on the Common


1937
Celebrating the Coronation of George VI on the Common


1939
May Day Celebrations on the Common


1940
The reason for the celebration is not known.


1945
VE Day Celebrations on the Common. A similar design of the flaming torches is used for the November 5th Torchlight parade from Commonside to the Bonfire site.


1945
VE Day Celebrations on the Common


1945
The Victory Party in Jubilee Road.


1945
The Victory Party in Jubilee Road.


1945
The Victory Party in Jubilee Road


1945
VE Day parade in School Close


c1946
May Day Celebrations on the Common


1947
May Day Celebrations on the Common.


1953
Celebrating the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on the Common. Gibbs Grocers is in the background.


1953
Celebrating the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on the Common


1953
Celebrating the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The parade is passing the Primitive Methodist Chapel in Chapel Street.


1953
Celebrating the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The parade is passing the Primitive Methodist Chapel in Chapel Street.


1953
Celebrating the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, on Commonside


1968
The Jollities, held in the grounds of St James’ Church opposite Westover Road


1977
Downley village celebrates the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. For more details of the activities and events click here.


1986
Downley Day at Brenchwood School


1986
Downley Day Parade passing the Mines & West factory on Plomer Green Lane near the junction with Gray’s Lane.


1986
Downley Day – preparing a float in the grounds of Mines & West factory on Plomer Green Lane


2021
76th Anniversary VE Day, socially-distanced celebrations held in Littleworth Road during the Covid-19 lockdown.


2021
76th Anniversary VE Day, socially-distanced celebrations held in Gray’s Lane during the Covid-19 lockdown.


2021
The 2020 Downley Day was cancelled as a consequence of Covid-19, whilst the 2021 celebration was postponed from June to September. The warm September sunshine combined with the end of the Covid lockdown attracted large numbers of attendees.

2021
Unusually large numbers of attendees enjoyed the postponed Downley Day in the warm September sunshine on the Common.