A street full of memory (From Penarth Times)

A street full of memory

A PENARTH pensioner has fond memories of the Queen's Coronation and the Silver Jubilee, both of which she celebrated in the same house.

Marion Hooper, 81, of Coronation Terrace remembers the day in 1953 every time she gives her address - because her street won the chance to re-name their road after the event when they were judged to be the best decorated.

She said: "We had painted the pavement red, white and blue. And at the time we were the only row of houses - the flats opposite weren't even built. We put up poles to hang our bunting."

At that time, her children from her first marriage, Laurence who was five and Jacqualine, 10, won prizes for their costumes. Marion said: "My mum Alice made their outfits.

"Jacqualine was Britannia and Laurence was John Bull. We had a fabulous day. Then, in the Jubilee in 1977, my other two children, Patricia and Paul, won prizes for their costumes."

Looking back, Marion remembers everyone pulling together, bringing tables into the field across the road. She said: "We didn't organise much. Someone made ginger pop, someone else made sandwiches or baked cakes. And we had a lovely day."

Marion was born in her house, and has very fond memories. She said: "I've been very lucky. I've seen the Coronation and the Jubilee in a wonderful street. Now, most of my generation have moved away, and the street is full of young families with busy jobs.

"But it would be so nice to see something like the old community spirit come back. I would love my 20 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren to be the best dressed in this street, carrying on tradition.

"More than that, it would be good for the children these days to have something to remember, as I do, and my children can."