STREET parties have been a feature of many Royal occasions in the past, just as they will be later this week for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

These pictures show celebrations for the silver jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary in 1935 and our present Queen’s Coronation in 1953.

The Coronation picture, sent in by Jacqueline Wilson, of Littleworth Road, Wheatley, was taken in Fifth Avenue, Slade Park, Headington.

Mrs Wilson, whose maiden name was Gardiner, writes: “Not many of us seem to be enjoying it!

“I am in the back row, second from the left, and my brother John is on my left.

“We had woods either side of the avenue and a large field at the end – country living, a wonderfully free childhood.”

The silver jubilee picture shows villagers in Beckley taking part in a fancy dress competition outside the Abingdon Arms pub.

Joyce Allen, of Headington, who sent it in, writes: “As you can see, several costumes were patriotic – I was dressed as Britannia.

“No-one would have hired costumes in those days – that would have been good money wasted.

“It was all down to imagination – make your own or borrow what you can.”

Everyone in the village rallied round. A steering committee was set up and a collection fund started. Volunteers cleared out a barn in High Street for the party, while others borrowed a horse and wagon to collect wood for a bonfire on Beckley Common.

Mrs Allen recalls: “I remember riding on the wagon with my dad and other helpers to pick up trees and bushes which had been sawn down.

“Everyone enjoyed getting together to do this, and the hedges, fields and farms in the locality were a lot tidier afterwards.

“After the fancy dress and jollifications at the pub, we paraded to the barn for the party, where we enjoyed food and games, then, when dusk approached, we all trooped to the common to see the bonfire lit.

“This could not be done until we could see other bonfires burning – the first one had been set off by the King. Ours was, in everyone’s opinion, the biggest and best.”

Any more street party memories and pictures to share with readers? Write and let me know.