Community First staff and guests attend historic Coronation celebrations
Saturday 6th May 2023 marked the historic Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla. Community First has enjoyed the Patronage of The Former Duchess of Cornwall (now Queen) for a number of years and we were delighted to receive invitations to celebrate the festivities in London on the day of the Coronation, as well as to attend a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday 9th May.
Community First members of staff and individuals who work alongside or are supported by our charity, were invited to apply for a ticket to the Coronation and the Garden Party, with attendee names drawn from a hat.
The Coronation
Members of our Employability and Skills Team, Catherine and Abi were joined by Jacky (Vice-President of Box, Colerne and Rudloe Link Scheme) and her husband Brian, as well as a young person supported by Youth Action Wiltshire and their parent. The lucky attendees were seated in the ‘Coronation Grandstand’ with 3,800 members of the public which was located near The Victoria Memorial. They enjoyed a fantastic view of the carriage procession as it passed along The Mall.
Jacky, who is a former Community First member of staff was responsible for setting up Box, Colerne and Rudloe Link Scheme. This was the first Link Scheme in Wiltshire. Jacky was also involved in supporting the creation and development of many other Link Schemes which are operational today.
Jacky had this to say about attending the event:
“I wanted to say a big thank you to Community First for arranging our invitation to The Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Brian and I had the most amazing day. We were both impressed with the splendour, pomp and circumstance of the occasion which as we all know our country excels at and I don’t mind admitting that I found it all very emotional. The help and support we received on the day from both helpers at the event and the train and underground staff were second to none and made for a very relaxing day. We both felt honoured and privileged to be part of it all.”
Mrs Sarah Troughton, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire and President of Community First was in attendance at the Coronation and shared a photograph on Twitter:
Outside the Abbey after a wonderful very moving Coronation Service. So honoured to be there, now home to watch the processions on the telly! pic.twitter.com/QbAp39Qiam
— Wilts Lieutenancy (@WiltsLieutenant) May 6, 2023
The Garden Party
Community First team members Harry, Val and Dawn represented our charity at a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in celebration of the Coronation. The Garden Party was hosted by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales, The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and The Princess Royal. It was a lovely event with music from live bands and a delicious afternoon tea.
Coronation Big Lunch
People up and down the country were lucky to have a long bank Holiday weekend to celebrate the Coronation and many of our team members attended a Coronation Big Lunch. Community First team member Ellie has shared some photos from a Big Lunch which took place in her local village. This included a picnic lunch, a red, white and blue bouncy castle and a ‘Royal Garden on a Plate’ competition.
On behalf of the Community First team and our guests who were lucky enough to attend the Coronation festivities, we would like to offer our sincere thanks and appreciation for being able to be part of this historic day. Thanks also to our Patron The Former Duchess of Cornwall (now Queen) for her patronage and support of Community First.