The Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary took place on 22 June 1911. Preperation for celebrations to mark the event took place in almost every town and village in the country and were reported in local newspapers. The reporting of events for the Alfreton Urban District and many neighbouring communities was rather sparse,and concentrated instead in the celebrations held at Derby and Nottingham. However, some articles were published in local newspapers.
The Nottingham Evening Post, dated 31 March 1911, reported on the establishment of a committee to oversee events, one of several such committees to be established in the area: "CORONATION FESTIVITIES - WHAT IS BEING DONE IN THE DISTRICT. To make arrangements for the Coronation festivities at Somercotes, Lea Brooks and Birchwood, a committee including the whole of the day school and Sunday school teachers have been appointed. It was agreed to recommend the Alfreton Council to levy a penny rate to defray the cost of the celebrations, the funds to be distributed according to ratable value. If the Council refuse adopt that course then the committee will meet to consider ways and means of raising the money. It is proposed to give all the children between three and 14 years of age a tea and a mug each, and also the old people a tea."
King George V and Queen Mary
Nearer to the event, the Ripley & Heanor News, published on 26 May 1911 reported on the finalised proposals for the celebrations: "THE CORONATION. ALFRETON The arrangements for the Coronation festivities are now completed the area of the Alfreton Urban Council. Alfreton itself will receive about £86 from the rates, and it is estimated that about £20 more is required. Half this amount has been contributed voluntarily, leaving about £10 to raised by public subscription. The children and old folk are to be provided with tea, while the old people are also to have a quantity of tea and tobacco as gifts. The committee have engaged the Swanwick Colliery Band to lead a big procession of day school children, and Mr. Palmer- Morewood has offered the use of Alfreton Park for the day’s enjoyments. Mr. Melville Watson, chairman of the Urban Council, has decided to present a mug to each of the school children. SOMERCOTES. At Somercotes the committee will have a sum of about £61 to spend from the rates. The committee have arranged for teas for the children and old people, and a mug each for the children. There is to be procession and huge bonfire the recreation ground."
Despite a curious lack of reporting in local newspapers the Coronation would have been extensively celebrated in Alfreton, Somercotes and the surouinding villages. Parades, bonfires and bunting across the streets would have been evident in every hamlet. The Sheffield Daily Telegraph on 24 June 1911, two days after the Coronation, reported "ALFRETON AND DISTRICT - The old people of Alfreton and several neighbouring parishes were entertained yesterday. at Alfreton. In the Assembly Rooms, about 200 old folk and widows sat down to a substantial meat tea provided by the Ladies’ Committee, which Miss Roberts, Cornhill House, is the resident. Arrangements were made to send out a portion of good things to those who were too ill or feeble to reach the Assembly Rooms. Afterwards a local company of artists, “The Rainbows.’’ provided a long programme ol varieties."