As I entered Grandad's house the atmosphere wasn’t “normal.” It wasn’t the normal happy and jumpy feeling. It was misty. As I stepped through the doorway mum waved me goodbye and left. Now it was just me and Grandad. We walked through the kitchen clutching hands and sat down on leather chairs. “you ready for our afternoon tea Lil?” asked Grandad. “Sure am,” I replied but as he carried the tea out it smelt different. A bad different. I didn’t want to say anything though as that would be rude. I got on with it and drank my tea: it didn’t taste very nice. As soon as the liquid touched my lips, I felt a horrible sensation in my back; as if someone was pulling me into the tea. Before I could blink, it was 1887.
“Wake up! Wake up,” called a man in a nicely dressed outfit. As I arose all I could see was women rushing around all nicely dressed in flowered-hats and frilly dresses with bows. The second thing I could see was a man glaring over me. As I stood up his eyebrows turned: he looked angry. Where is your sense of propriety! Where is your hat!” shouted the man. “I don’t have any money,” I replied. “Take this money to Ward and George. You can get a nice hat there.
Ward and George shop 1887
Walking around the shop a voice startled me – the voice of the shop owner. “you don’t want to be here long. The procession starts at 1:15. It’s 1 o’clock. You don’t want to miss it – it’s the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, 50 years! Come on hurry up!” he said as he rushed me along. I grabbed any hat, chucked it on my head, paid for it and ran out of the shop.
Aylsham Parish Church 1887
As I sat down in the pews, I was flooded with feelings excitement, happiness, embarrassment and joyfulness. I was surrounded by pale-faced people as the procession began. One by one the speeches were beautifully read out and now and then we would sing a song. After it seemed to be five hours, there was (as the Victorians would say) a melee of noise as the church was flooded with people – upper class and lower class – all exited for the big meal up ahead.
After the procession, everyone rushed out to see the band. There was lots of entertainment and everything was decorated beautifully. The band played lovely music as everyone danced along. The clouds cleared as the sun shone down on the neatly laid out tables; the party was going great!
The Town Hall 1887
It was now 3:00pm – time for dinner. Everybody was starving. As we squished around the tables (laid prettily with white calico and flowers.) Grace was said and we took a seat. We seemed to get closer and closer together when I realised there was 40 people on each table!
Go back to the Jubilee page to read some more great stories.
“Wake up! Wake up,” called a man in a nicely dressed outfit. As I arose all I could see was women rushing around all nicely dressed in flowered-hats and frilly dresses with bows. The second thing I could see was a man glaring over me. As I stood up his eyebrows turned: he looked angry. Where is your sense of propriety! Where is your hat!” shouted the man. “I don’t have any money,” I replied. “Take this money to Ward and George. You can get a nice hat there.
Ward and George shop 1887
Walking around the shop a voice startled me – the voice of the shop owner. “you don’t want to be here long. The procession starts at 1:15. It’s 1 o’clock. You don’t want to miss it – it’s the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, 50 years! Come on hurry up!” he said as he rushed me along. I grabbed any hat, chucked it on my head, paid for it and ran out of the shop.
Aylsham Parish Church 1887
As I sat down in the pews, I was flooded with feelings excitement, happiness, embarrassment and joyfulness. I was surrounded by pale-faced people as the procession began. One by one the speeches were beautifully read out and now and then we would sing a song. After it seemed to be five hours, there was (as the Victorians would say) a melee of noise as the church was flooded with people – upper class and lower class – all exited for the big meal up ahead.
After the procession, everyone rushed out to see the band. There was lots of entertainment and everything was decorated beautifully. The band played lovely music as everyone danced along. The clouds cleared as the sun shone down on the neatly laid out tables; the party was going great!
The Town Hall 1887
It was now 3:00pm – time for dinner. Everybody was starving. As we squished around the tables (laid prettily with white calico and flowers.) Grace was said and we took a seat. We seemed to get closer and closer together when I realised there was 40 people on each table!
Go back to the Jubilee page to read some more great stories.