This street party turned into a pub party.

There were plenty of happy faces as children and their parents living in Pensons Gardens, St Ebbe’s, Oxford, celebrated the Queen’s Coronation in June, 1953.

But plans had to be changed at the last minute because of the weather.

Pearl Cherrill, of Manor Drive, Horspath, Oxford, who sent in the picture, writes: “Rain was forecast for the day and it was decided to hold the party in the back garden of the Gardeners Arms so that the children could play in the skittle alley if it should rain.

“My parents were Ern and Sue Eustace, landlord and landlady of the ‘Gardeners’ at that time. It was a grey day, but as far as I can remember, it didn’t rain – there may have been just a few spots.”

The party for families in Pensons Gardens was one of hundreds held to mark the Coronation. Earlier in the day, Oxford had woken to the peal of bells – bellringers had been up early to celebrate with peals from the towers of many churches and college chapels.

Thousands of people had left Oxford by road and rail to line the route from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, where the ceremony took place.

Once the Queen had been crowned, it was time for partying to begin.