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On the 12th May 1937 Prince Albert Frederick Arthur George, Duke of York, was crowned at Westminster Abbey, taking the name of King George VI. It was a day of great joy for the country, and the Empire:  the constitutional crisis caused by the abdication of George's elder brother Edward, in order to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson, was definitely over.

Stillington celebrated in splendid style, with a gala that included a May Queen, surrounded by her attendants, setting out from Stillington Hall; a purpose built coach; a magnificent parade through the village, with a king and queen,  and even a model ship gracing Town End Pond. Fortunately many photographs, and even cine film, of this unique event have survived.

Smith Sisters
Smith Sisters
Marjory, Mildred and Dorothy Smith being driven in a carriage.
The Gala Parade.
The Gala Parade.
Just passing the Old Chapel in Main Street. It is just visible in the top right of the picture.
The Gala Parade.
The Gala Parade.
A road roller trundling up High Street.
The King and Queen on the Village Green
The King and Queen on the Village Green
Left to Right are: Billy Howland, Bob Scaife, Algie Richardson (Queen), Frank 'Trot' Knowlson (King), Bill Burnett, Charlie Thompson and Bert Thompson.
The May Queen
The May Queen
The May Queen, Margaret Averill, posing with her attendants.
Parade travelling up High Street.
Parade travelling up High Street.
George Scaife's truck ladened with joyous passengers and adorned with a Union Jack.
Gala Parade
Gala Parade
The little girl in the foreground is Margaret Brown nee North with her father Albert. On the carriage is William Howland and Charlie Thompson.
Charlie Thompson.
Charlie Thompson.
Charlie Thompson on the horse accompanied by two as yet unidentified people.
 Fancy Dress Parade.
Fancy Dress Parade.
Raymond Souter (Boy Scout), Janet Richardson and Dorothy Shepherd.
Fancy Dress Parade
Fancy Dress Parade
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