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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
John Scheerhout & Ramazani Mwamba & Paige Oldfield & Stephen Topping & Maisie Lawton

People across Greater Manchester came together to celebrate the Coronation - and have a right royal knees up

As King Charles was crowned at Westminster Abbey in London, people came together across Greater Manchester to celebrate the new monarch - and enjoy a party.

The bunting came out and Union Jacks were everywhere as people decided to have a right royal knees up. Many thronged to big screens in Piccadilly Gardens and elsewhere which showed the unfolding pageantry taking place 200 miles away.

Elsewhere, residents painted their faces in red, white and blue and held street parties to raise a glass to King Charles and Queen Camilla. Young and old alike donned plastic Union Jack bowler hats and babies wore golden crowns.

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The street parties boasted games, bouncy castles, barbecues, music and at least one cocktail bar.

At Manchester Cathedral, visitors were greeted at the entrance with a commemorative flag and a copy of the order of service, while bunting was on display inside. People of all ages, different faiths and none, sat row-by-row to watch history unfold.

"It's lovely to have something like this in town," said mum Alisan Hogg, from Didsbury, who came to Manchester Cathedral with her partner and three young children.

Performances of the national anthem were met with enthusiastic bouts of flag-waving inside the cathedral, while an artist sat recreating scenes from London.

People watch the Coronation in Piccadilly Gardens (Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)

As proceedings got underway at Westminster Abbey, all eyes were fixed on the three big screens, while some filmed the big moments on their phones. There were some eye-catching red, white and blue hats and garments on display, while two observers donned Charles and Camilla masks.

But the more striking outfits were found at Piccadilly Gardens, where there was more of a party atmosphere. Families and groups of friends sat watching one of two big screens, while food and drink stalls kept the crowd refreshed.

Some had simply been passing by but stopped to soak up the atmosphere, such as Kanwal Saba and her family, from Fallowfield. She said: "Everyone's celebrating, it's really, really nice - I'm very happy today."

A street party in Moorcroft Road, Oldham, to celebrate the Coronation (men)

A minority made their republican sentiments known. One man held aloft a cardboard sign which read 'feed kids not kings' while another had a plaque which read: "Abolish the monarchy."

Most came out to enjoy the occasion, however, even if not all were firm royalists.

Drizzle didn’t dampen the spirits of those celebrating the King’s Coronation at street parties across in Radcliffe and Bury which were weeks in the planning. Dozens turned out to gatherings on Wosley Street in Radcliffe and Myrtle Street North and Holcombe Avenue near Bury town centre.

The festivities in Chorlton Green (Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)

The festivities included games, a bouncy castle, a cocktail bar, a VIP inflatable nightclub, BBQs, music and lots of cake.

Colleen Oven, 35, who helped plan the party on Wosley Street, told the Manchester Evening News it took weeks to put together.

She said: "It’s nice to get everyone together. My neighbour watched the Coronation and said they looked beautiful. It’s just an exciting time in history for everyone to be celebrating so we’ve all come together.

"We’ve been planning for about a month getting everything booked and getting people onboard. We set the banners up last weekend and started moving cars at around 9am this morning. We think once the big tent comes, everyone will start coming out."

People watch the Coronation in Piccadilly Gardens (Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)

Chantelle Winstanley helped organise the event on Myrtle Street North with Vanessa Price, 39, and a few other friends. "It’s going really well," the 30-year-old said as the party got into full swing.

"It’s just because we don’t get together very often. It’s nice."

Holcombe Avenue resident Sue Pitt, 48, said it was the fifth party she’s helped to organise on the street.

"We did it for the jubilee and the weddings," she said.

A baby wears a Union Jack bowler hat (Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)

"A lot of us have lived on the street a long time and we organise it between us. Everyone pulls together. It’s going great so far."

Oldham celebrated the coronation in style with a screening and a concert held in the town centre. A dinosaur, owls and ‘Bouncing Busby Guards’ all joined together and watched history unfold.

Rain was forecast but the sun shone for most of the day which encouraged more and more people to head into the town centre to enjoy the festivities.

Residents at Millfield care home in Oldham had a cardboard cut-out of King Charles, and a brass band.

Their smiles alone showed how Annie (Nan) Schofield, 102, who was born in 1920, and Ethel Buckley, 101, enjoyed the festivities. Remarkably, each one has now lived through the coronation of two kings and one queen in their lifetime. King George VI was crowned in 1937 and his daughter Elizabeth II was crowned in 1953.

Residents at Millfield care home in Oldham. Annie (Nan) Schofield (L), and Ethel Buckley (Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)

In Oldham town centre, everyone had their eyes glued to the big screen as King Charles and Queen Camilla made their way through Westminster Abbey.

Even those who had no intention of watching today’s events stopped and watched before continuing their journey.

Almost every seat was filled so many had little choice but to stand. Strangers sat together and became acquainted and young children buzzed about the place waving flags like they were kites.

People watch the Coronation in Piccadilly Gardens (Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)

Those who gathered were invited to recite their pledge of allegiance during Prince Charles’ crowning but remained silent. However, they were brought to their feet as the national anthem was sung and they cheered as it concluded.

Lisa was one of those who made their way to the town centre for the celebrations. She described the event as 'special', saying: "I had to be here because it's something I've never lived through. It's something special."

Anson Cabin Project street party, Rusholme. (Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)

Mum Kellie and her daughter Elizabeth came to watch the coronation in the town centre because there were no street parties where they live.

"It was important for us to be here and enjoy it in the company of other people. It’s a historical moment," she said.

Phyllis Williamson, from Stockport, said: "We have to accept things as they are. I do have my misgivings about him but I think he will be a good king."

The celebrations didn’t just happen at the centre of the town though. Just minutes away on Moorcroft Road, residents held their own street party.

Anson Cabin Project street party, Rusholme. (Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)

Vicky Blackwell, who started organising the street party six weeks ago, told the MEN: "It made me proud to be British.

"It’s been amazing to see. It was nice to actually see the kids out and about which is something we don’t get to see often."

Chorlton Green is south Manchester was adorned in red, white and blue.

Katie Arthur, 28, manager at the Horse and Jockey on the green, said she loved the Coronation and was excited to be part of such a historic event.

Manager Kate, at the Horse and Jockey, Chorlton. (Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)

She said: "It’s an amazing opportunity to bring the community together and the turnout has been great.

"Chorlton is a close knit area, and even though people here may have varying views on the monarchy, it offers a day for family and friends to come together and spend time with each other.

"We set up live music - played up till 8pm- with coronation themed drinks, food, live music and more. We’ve loved seeing the turnout, and how people are excited to be part of a momentous moment in history."

Anson Cabin Project street party, Rusholme. (Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)

Meldon Road in Rusholme also celebrated in style with a little help from Samantha Minshull, who brought the community of Rusholme together.

She has been helping the diverse community come together for the last 27 years, volunteering in and around Rusholme.

She said: “I’ve been volunteering in the community for a long time and have never looked back. When we have huge events like this it’s great to set up a small party for locals to join.

"Neighbours don’t integrate the way they used to, and living in a culturally diverse community allows people to meet, enjoy the day, and connect."

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