The first British monarch to reach 60 years on the throne was Queen Victoria, who celebrated her diamond jubilee in 1897. But compared to the golden jubilee, 10 years previous, it wasn't well celebrated; and we don't know why.
In 1887 it took the people of Farnhill and Kildwick just a few weeks to make all the arrangements for a major celebration of the Queen's Golden Jubilee. The events included:
- A children's parade, accompanied by the local Brass Band
- Children's sports, with prizes
- A bonfire and fireworks
- The building of Farnhill Pinnacle
Now you might have thought that 10 years later, for the Diamond Jubilee, the first in British history, they would have tried to exceed this display of patriotism. But no. Actually, there don't seem to have been any celebrations at all. Nor were Farnhill and Kildwick alone in this regard. None of local townships laid on much in the way of celebrations. In fact the only major events there were in the whole of Craven appear to have been restricted to Skipton.
Why was this; do you know ?
Do you have any memorabilia that connects Farnhill or Kildwick to the 1897 jubilee ? Perhaps someone in your family has one of the specially struck medallions or brooches, advertised in the Craven Herald in the run up to the jubilee ?
Posted: 24/4/2022