COWLEY celebrated the Coronation of our Queen in style.

This picture was taken at one of the many parties held in the area in June, 1953.

It took place behind 54 White Road, the home of young Colin Judge and his family.

Many of their neighbours, young and old, packed into the back yard to toast Her Majesty following the crowning ceremony at London’s Westminster Abbey.

This tea party was organised spontaneously by the residents. But Cowley had its own Coronation Celebrations Organising Committee, which organised a programme lasting a week.

According to a brochure produced at the time, the highlight came on Monday, June 1 at the Morris Motors sports ground, at Barracks Road.

This was the official opening of the celebrations and the crowning of Cowley’s Coronation Queen.

The ceremony began in the grand arena with a display by the band of the 1st Battalion, the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.

Then at 3pm, a procession of five cars from the Regal Cinema in Cowley Road arrived, with the mayor and mayoress of Oxford, Mr and Mrs Brown, Oxford MP Lawrence Turner, committee officials, and the Coronation Queen, Margaret Dykes, right, and her attendants, Angela Shaw and Sheila Eden.

After the crowning, Miss Dykes and her entourage toured the attractions, which included a funfair and trade exhibition.

Other events during the week included a dance festival, pig roast, firework display, a display at Army Cadets, Sea Cadets and members of the Air Training Corps, a band concert conducted by Harry Mortimer, musical director of the Morris Motors’ band, a fancy dress contest and a decorated vehicles competition. The week ended with a carnival day and celebration ball.

Any memories of the Cowley Coronation celebrations to share with readers, and do you recognise yourself or anyone else in the picture?