The post you are reporting:
The newspaper, after the village, goes on to give a VERY long report of the Dover Celebrations, for the Royal Wedding, which I have taken extracts from.
I think it is worth reflecting on the efforts of everyone concerned, in organising celebrations, and the enthusiasm of everyone in celebrating a special occasion...
Here is the FIRST PART of my edited notes...
THE TENTH OF MARCH IN DOVER ....
- extracts from the Dover Chronicle (long) reports of celebrations in Dover for the marriage of the Prince of Wales to the Princess Alexandra in 1863:
"Great was the concourse of spectators and sight-seers, which poured into our principal thoroughfares, not only from every court, crescent, terrace and alley in Dover but from the whole surrounding neighbourhood....
".... last touches being given to the decorations of the ball-room, the mottoes and transparencies of the illuminations ... while the thousands of happy youngsters were congregating from every quarter with flags and streamers, to the music of their own cheering voices, after partaking the good things provided for them...
Parties of the Kent Mounted Riflemen in uniform, of the Cinque Ports Artillery and Rifles, civilians, redcoats and others, were to be seen promenading the streets...
PROCESSION:
".. at eleven o'clock the Volunteers and various Societies intending to take part in the public procession commenced to assemble at the Market Place, the respective positions they were to occupy being denoted by small staves planted in the ground.. ... by 12 o'clock immediately started on the route ... first the band and members of 1st Cinque Ports Volunteer Artillery Corps, who had donned their new "busbies" for the first time in public and which harmonized with the other parts of their uniform.
Next followed the Mayor, James Worsfold Esq. in his robes of office, several members of the Corporation, mace bearer and town officers.. then members of the Odd Fellows and Foresters with splendid banners, and two attired as 'Little Johns' armed with bows and arrows; the men of the coastguard service, revenue cutters, with banner and four union jacks, and inhabitants some on horseback and some on foot.
Route taken was Castle Street, Woolcomber Street, down Snargate Street over the bridges, and onto the Marine Parade again, where they joined the military who had marched from the Heights and Castle, in a line.
At one o'clock a salute of guns thundered out from the Western Heights and Castle batteries and a rattling volley was discharged from the military on the seaboard, the band of the 59th Regt playing the National Anthem. This was repeated three times in the same order.... ..
TUESDAY:
"..... On Tuesday masses congregated in Dover to witness the feu de joie - including a school from Beakesbourne with blue dresses and red cloaks...
"A public dinner was held at the Shakespeare Hotel - forty of the principal tradesmen of Dover sat down to a repast served up in the usual recherche style by this establishment... the company afterwards dispersed to witness the illuminations and fireworks, afterwards re-assembling. An Officers' luncheon was held at the Castle in the afternoon.
"At 2 o'clock 100 Odd Fellows and Foresters sat down to a cold collation in the Market which by much decorating had been transformed into a comfortable looking dining hall. The task of providing this party was undertaken by Mr Ray of the Walmer Castle Inn. In the evening singing and dancing.. the wives and female friends of the members being admitted.. celebrations here continued till far beyond midnight.
"Arrangements at the pier end of the town.. roasting of a whole sheep given by Revd Yate to the Dover boatmen... erection of a stone range at the entrance to Council house Street...
at the time appointed the animal was declared done "to a turn"... served up with sundry accessories in the shape of vegetables, beer &c to about forty of the boatmen, the use of the large room at the Custom House having been obtained for that purpose.
"The School children of St John's Mariners Church, about 300 assembled and with their flags and banners afterwards paraded some of the streets in the Pier district. On return their little hearts were made glad by the presentation of a plum-cake, a threepenny piece and a favor of Coventry ribbon to each child. The entire cost defrayed by the minister of the church, Revd W. Yate.
"Also through the liberality of Mr Yate the Coastguard men stationed at Dover and crews of the Revenue cutters were entertained to sumptuous dinner of roast beef and plum pudding &c in the school room of St Johns, and each man drunk the health in a bumper of wine.
"Old folks of various churches and chapels were provided for by subscriptions made among the various congregations. In connection with Christ Church, a dinner of roast beef and plum pudding was given to every person over fifty-five years of age and to every widow.
"At Trinity Church, 120 of the poor of the pier district were feasted on roast beef, plum pudding and ale.. . special thanks were due to the proprietors of the Ship Hotel, Mr Hipgrave of the Gun, Messrs Jeken and Co, Mr H. Cliffe and Messrs Page for liberal contributions.
A magnificent joint of beef weighing 40 lbs was contributed from the first of these. After dinner the National Anthem, and toasts.... and three times three cheers for the Queen and Prince and Princess of Wales.
to be continued...
