Crowning of the May Queen 1953

Cannock kids put their own spin on coronation celebrations.

In an attempt to kill two birds with one stone the teachers and pupils of John Wood Infant School at Cannock are celebrating May Day and the forthcoming coronation of Queen Elizabeth II at the same time. Little Jacqueline Gaze becomes the school's very own queen for the day complete with crown and robes. Despite a somewhat rickety pole, that has to be held upright by some of the older boys, the traditional maypole dance brings proceedings to a fitting close.