Coronations Past: Celebration & Controversy

Altrincham Coronation Mugs Debacle        

In the build up to coronation of King George V in 1911, the Altrincham Coronation Celebration Committee became embroiled in a row over the sourcing of souvenir mugs to be presented to local school children.  An Emergency Committee meeting was arranged after objections were raised that the mugs being purchased were of German manufacture. 3,300 mugs had been ordered at a cost or £55.

An attempt was made to blame a sub-committee of ladies tasked with selecting a mug from a range of samples, an accusation that was strongly refuted.  After a rather animated discussion, the Committee accepted responsibility for the error but as the mugs were already in production it was agreed that the order for 3,300 mugs could not be rescinded.

All at the meeting agreed that they had understood that the mugs were to be made in Ancoats and demanded to know why no mugs of local manufacture had been presented for selection. No local company had been asked to supply mugs for selection. Many of those present said that mugs produced in Britain were greatly preferable to those from Germany but it was suggested that it would be ‘ungentlemanly’ to go back on the agreement to buy the German mugs.

Amongst the general public, consternation was felt and a public meeting was called with a 1000 people present. Participants in the meeting even suggested that should a child be given such a mug, they may be exhorted to smash them to smithereens!

It was agreed that the Coronation Committee were guilty of an ‘inexcusable blunder’. The affair had been reported in the National press and it was felt that the whole country was looking at Altrincham to see what the outcome would be.

A Ratepayers Association was formed to raise funds by public subscription. ‘to provide mugs of genuine British manufacture’. The money was subsequently raised, the original order paid for and the children of Altrincham received mugs made by Josiah Wedgwood and sourced through a local supplier.

Hale & Ringway Controversy

Meanwhile in Hale a similar scenario was taking place. German mugs had been ordered, there were reports that children would smash them and there was a public outcry at what was felt of as an unpatriotic purchase.

However in this case the Hale Coronation Committee would not be moved. As had happened in Altrincham a public subscription was raised. Alternative British mugs were found, but the Coronation Committee would not accept the money, declaring the German mugs to be of a superior kind. Ultimately the Ratepayers Committee decided to erect tents near to the festivities and distribute the British mugs from there.