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**
*Commemorating their Diamond Wedding Anniversary*

George (a chairmaker) and Elizabeth Bristow (seated centre) were married in 1868 and commemorated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary, together with their 11 children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, outside the Downley War Memorial Hall in June 1928. At their celebrations of their diamond wedding anniversary the family presented them with a ‘purse of gold’. They also received a telegram from Queen Mary, wife of King George V.

**1935**
*Celebrating the Silver Jubilee of George V on the Common.*

George Newell represents Dickie Gray – an old Downley character remembered by many older residents – with Jim Newell and Ted Patey as the front and back respectively of one of Dickie’s string of donkeys. Click here for further information on Dickie Gray.

**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 nowadays for the annual November 5th Torchlight Procession from Commonside to the Bonfire site, where the flaming torches are thrown onto the burning bonfire.

**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.*

A shop, Gibbs Grocers, can be seen in the background.

**1953**
*Celebrating the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, on Commonside*.

The young lady sitting on the chair holding a bouquet is Margaret James, the other young lady is Lynne Hudson and Stephanie Wolf is holding the crown.

**1953**
*Celebrating the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.*

The parade is passing the Primitive Methodist Chapel in Chapel Street.

**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.*

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.

History of Downley

Downley Local History

Celebrations