Those were the days

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A black and white image showing a band on a stage. The stage is decorated with plants, two New Zealand flags and a Union Jack. A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II hands behind the band. The band consists of a pianist, double bassist, trombonist, accordionist and drummer.

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Our country had a great deal to celebrate in 1953. Hillary got to the top of Everest and came, without incident, all the way down again with his Sherpa friend. The country and the Commonwealth got a newly crowned queen. Those were the days! This is 1953 in the Frankton Town Hall. The occasion is the Coronation Ball. There were balls and other celebrations across the country at a time when huge crowds turned out to see visiting royalty and at every public event, even at the movies, everyone stood for God Save the Queen. There was also a grand civic service in Garden Place on the day at the time of the coronation but, twelve hours ahead of the actual event.

The band is assembled on stage – piano, double bass, violin, piano accordion and drums. It would have been a great night for sure.

Explore more celebration images via our Heritage Collections Online.