---

 

 

ROYAL RUN THROUGH LYTHAM

Enthusiastic Demonstration of Loyalty

King & Queen admire the Rose Queen

 

The first visit of Royalty to Lytham on Tuesday last was most worthily recognised, and thought it was but a flying visit, so to speak, the pleasure it gave will remain in the memory of all who witnessed it. In common with the rest of the community, the Lytham people rose to the occasion, and presented to their Majesties' vision a scene of unwonted splendour. Warton Street and Clifton Street looked lovely, their natural decorations of foliage forming a pretty background for the liberal display of bunting. Almost every house and 'shop along these streets exhibited favours, and such a display has never before been seen in the town. A sub-committee of the Club Day Committee, with Mr. W. J. Hall at their head, were responsible for the chief decorations, and they are to be congratulated of the result. But many of the individual efforts were

 

Deserving of Great Praise.

 

 

The officials of St. Peter's Church made a charming display. In addition to portraits of their Majesties, and a huge banner of welcome, they had placed a number of beautiful plants at the lych gate, making a Very artistic effect.

The Council Offices decorations evoked universal appreciation, so rich and rare were they. The hotels and banks also went to considerable trouble and expense.

 

The police arrangements were on a stupendous, scale. A little army of County police invaded the town, and under the superintendence: of Mr. Carson, were placed all along the route, to keep the streets clear of traffic, and to

Circumvent any Suffragette Interference.

 

The streets were also lined with spectators ,but the chief gathering ground was the beach, from the Council Offices, almost to Lowther Gardens. Here, first of all, the lifeboat crew were stationed. Next was the special stand for the members of the Council and their wives, and then came the great gathering of Sunday school children, ranged along the edge of the green, all the little folks wearing souvenir medals, and carrying little flags, which they waved as enthusiastically as they cheered when the Royal party passed. But the

 

Chief Centre of Interest

 

was the Rose Queen's court. The throne used at the previous day's coronation had been erected at the edge of the green. Her Majesty Mary Johnson being surrounded by her pages, court jester James Goodier, and maids of honour, with Miss Lily Fielden, the ex-Queen, on the right, and Miss Hamman, May Queen of Knutsford on the left. All wore their floral and other favours, and the scene was extremely enchanting. Further along were the Lytham Girl Guides, the Boy Scouts, and the Lytham Territorials, under Capt. Hickson, all of whom saluted the Royal party. The photographers were quite numerous, and the cinematograph also took note of the scene.

 

The glaring sun was nicely tempered by a cooling breeze. When the pilot car made its appearance, heart-beats quickened, and we lived the next twenty minutes in the joy of anticipation. A shout of delight passed along the vast crowd when the Royal car made its appearance. Although the car was closed, the windows were so spacious that everybody had a capital view of their Majesties as they bowed and smiled hearty appreciation of their cordial reception. On reaching the Rose Queen's court the Queen quickly

 

Called the King's Attention

 

to the unique sight, and both smiled most graciously, the Queen turning round in her seat to feast her eyes as long as possible. It appeared to us that she would have loved to make a moment's stay, but it was not in Lord Derby's programme, and the cars passed on, slowly but surely.

 

ROYAL ELM PLANTED.

 

Well-Deserved Tribute to the Squire.

 

After their Majesties had passed, the planting of an elm tree in Market Square Gardens took place by Mrs. Clifton to commemorate the Royal visit to Lytham. A fairly large crowd witnessed the ceremony, included in whom was the cinematograph man.

 

Supporting Coun Lightwood were; Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Clifton, Mr. Wykeham Clifton, Coun. J. Pearson, J.P., J. Ainscough, J. J. Beesley, and ? V. Barker, Mr. W. Wignall, Mr. H. T. Marsden, and Mr. E. Milns.

 

The Squire said that now the dust of their Majesties' cars had gone, there was but one thing to do to commemorate that great occasion on which Lytham had been honoured, viz., to plant that tree to perpetuate the name that was so aptly given to Lytham— "Leafy Lytham." (Applause).

 

Mrs. Clifton then planted the sapling, her sturdy manipulation of the spade being greeted with applause.

 

Mrs Clifton planting the Royal Elm, Lytham, 8th July. 1913.

 

Coun. Lightwood then asked Coun. Pearson to take charge of the tree in the name of the Council, and said that whatever they owed to anybody they certainly owed to Mr. Clifton and all who had preceded him in the occupation of the hall, the very beautiful town in which they lived—(Hear, hear) — and all the sylvan arrangements stood out in such a way that visitors to their Own, always admired the trees and foliage. He hoped the Council would take care of that tree that it might perpetuate that memorable occasion. (Hear, hear and applause).

 

Coun. Pearson promised that special care should be taken of the tree.

 

Coun. Ainscough proposed a vote of thanks to Mrs. Clifton.

 

Coun. Beesley seconded.

 

Three hearty cheers were given for Mrs. Clifton and the Squire.

 

Mr. Clifton replying on behalf of his wife said that their Majesties had travelled seven miles through his estate. He was pleased to do all he could for the enjoyment of the children, and it was good that the Chairman of the Council should appeal to him to see what was really the best form of entertainment for the children. (Applause).

On the proposition of Mr. Wignall, seconded by Mr. H. T. Marsden Coun. Pearson was thanked.

 

Three cheers were given for Mr. Pearson, who briefly returned thanks; and for Mr. and Mrs. Clifton.

A gentleman in the crowd called for three cheers for Mr. Wykeham Cliifton, and these were given with great gusto.

The G.O.M. was taken by surprise, and acknowledged the compliment with a gracious bow, he said :—"I cannot thank you enough, for the extraordinary kindness; with which you always receive me. It is indeed a great pleasure for an old man to be very kindly received by all his fellow- citizens. I beg to, thank you most heartily (Applause).

 

The Garden Party.

 

Coun. John Pearson and Mrs. Pearson did the honours of the day appropriately by inviting the townspeople to a garden party in Lowther Gardens after the King's visit. Earlier in the' day they had both been presented to their Majesties, along with Mr. C. A. Myers (Clerk to the Council), at Preston, had hurried back to Lytham in time for the Royal visit, and then presided over the garden party. The guests were cordially received, and were entertained by the famous Wyngates Temperance Prize Band, a Punch and Judy show, and ventriloquial entertainments. About 500 had had accepted the invitation, and Mr. DeGrey had a difficult task in attending to their wants. The weather was sunny and the function gave everybody an opportunity of fraternising and discussing the Royal visit.

 

The Children's Treat.

 

 

One of the pleasantest recollections of the King's visit will be the family interest taken by the Clifton in the treat they gave to the children in the marquee on the green. When Coun. Pearson: very delicately made the suggestion to Mr. and Mrs. Clifton recently, he was delighted at the way it was received. Besides paying the piper, the Lord and Lady of the Manor brought their two guests and the children to the marquee, and after having a cup of tea, all started to help to serve, Mrs Clifton being very assiduous. The little girls also helped in their way, taking one cup, or one plate at a time to be washed, and finding fault if they were not properly washed. Unfortunately the marquee was much too small, and it was nearly seven o'clock when the Ballam children got their tea, their's being the fourth sitting down. The little ones were ravenously hungry, and it would have been worse had not one or two family men brought food out to them to take the edge off their appetites.

During tea the Lytham band played selections of music.

 

Ambulance Arrangements.

 

Excellent ambulance arrangements were made both on Monday and Tuesday. The Lytham Nursing Division was on Tuesday in charge of Corps treasurer, Mr. E. Millington, and Miss Hind, of Preston (third nursing officer) also undertook duty at Lytham. The Lytham Nursing Division included Mrs. H. T. Marsden (Supt.), Mrs. Eastham, Mrs. Lord, Mrs. Burgess, Miss Lang, Miss Duckworth, Miss Braham, and Miss Lazenby. Mrs. Marsden was allocated to St. Annes on Tuesday. Fortunately the services of the nurses were not called into request.

 

Lytham Territorials see the King at Preston.

 

The Lytham Territorials went to Preston almost in full force on Tuesday, where they formed part of the guard of honour outside the Bull Hotel. They travelled on the 10-35 a.m. train, and returned to Lytham by the 2-22 p.m. in time to form the guard of honour at Lytham. The names were —Lieut. R. F. Holt, Col.-Sergt. Insp. Corpls. Isles, Lamb, Sergt. Mathews, Corp. Jolly, Lance-Corpl. Johnson, Sergts. Cross, Tipping, and Bell, Lance-Corpl.. Smith, Pts. Wilkin, Eccles, H. Wilkin, Charnley, Clarke, Bretherton, L.Dagger, Barlow Fairclough, Hardman, Jameson, Bonney, Mayor, Cookson, Simpson, Rukin, Bilsborough, Maries, Wilsden, Hall, Gillett, A. Dagger, and Butler. The number was augmented at Lytham by the following : Captain N.ickson, Corpl. Rigby, Corpl. Norcross, Pts. Hudson, Wilding, Williams, Whiteside, Miller, and Gregson.

Newspaper article dated July 1913