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The Coronation of George IV took place on the 19 July 1821 at Westminster Hall. Festivities were held up and down the country for this event, including celebrations at Alfreton. A report on the day was published in the Derby Mercury on 1 August, a full transcription of which follows:

“ALFRETON - Amidst the universal rejoicings which have taken place in this county, in commemoration of the August ceremony of his Majesty’s Coronation we are happy to state that the town of Alfreton has not been deficient in those expressions of loyalty and zeal which every true Briton must feel anxious to manifest on so memorable an occasion. The Rev. Mr. Morewood with his usual liberality set on foot a subscription, (the object of which appears to have been, that every heart, however humble should rejoice in the observance of this constitutional ceremony,) and exhibited a laudable example to his neighbours, by giving twenty-five guineas, and two sheep, in addition to a fine heifer and three other sheep which were supplied from the fund. The preparations for the celebration of this joyous festival commenced early on Wednesday, and the heifer and sheep were cut up and roasted, that nothing might interrupt the merriment and festivity of this general holiday. Early in the morning the bells commenced a merry peal, cannons were fired, and flags, garlands, boughs of oak, and various emblems of loyalty were displayed on the Hall, and in different parts of the town. By  the direction of Mr. Morewood, two immense temporary tables were prepared in the park holding more than two hundred each, and a handsome marquee tor the ladies and visitors were pitched at the head of the table. At twelve o'clock the Alfreton Troop of Yeomanry Cavalry, commanded by Capt. Wilson, paraded in the market place, and preceded by a band of music, marched into the park accompanied by hundreds of the inhabitants, and filed off to keep the ground during the dinner.

George IV by Thomas Lawrence, 1821 [The Royal Collection]

At one a signal was given by cannon for the commencement of this joyous feast, when more than a thousand people (many sitting on the grass) were supplied with a plentiful dinner of beef, mutton, puddings and ale, and the most admirable order was preserved during this liberal distribution of good cheer. Immediately after dinner, Mr. Morewood rode into the centre of this happy circle, and gave the health of George the Fourth, which was drank with enthusiasm, and a royal salute of twenty one cannon was fired from a battery. He then gave “Old England" – “The Constitution"- and “Prosperity to the town and trade of Alfreton" after which another salute was fired. The Troop then left the ground, formed in the park, and having performed various manoeuvres much to their own credit and the satisfaction of all those who were present, fired an excellent feu de joie in honour of the day. After the people of Alfreton had sufficiently enjoyed themselves, what remained of this good old English fare was distributed, amongst groups of the neighbouring villages. The rush to each place of distribution was instantaneous, and some scrambling took place, but with the upmost good humour, and tho' some might obtain a larger a share than others, none went away dissatisfied. At four o’clock, a party, of upwards of seventy sat down to an excellent dinner at the George Inn; the Rev. H. C. Morewood (who had presented a fine book on the occasion) was in the Chair. On the removal of the cloth, the "Health of the King" was given and drank with that feeling which such an occasion was calculated to inspire; this was followed by the National Anthem. Many other loyal and constitutionaI toasts were also given from the Chair, and the upmost harmony, conviviality and good humour prevailed throughout the day; and indeed there seemed to be a determined disposition from the highest to the lowest, in the celebration of this auspicious and constitutional festival, to be happy and loyal. The evening concluded with a ball at the Angel, and in no town in England of the size, were greater demonstrations of joy, hilarity, and festivity evinced, on the Coronation of our most gracious sovereign George the Fourth, than at Alfreton. “