Police plans for Queen’s visit to park
A FASCINATING royal document has been loaned to the Bugle by John Taylor of Kidderminster, who collects all kinds of historic items relating to his birthplace, Stourbridge. It is this large map of Mary Stevens Park in Stourbridge that was used by the police in planning for the visit of the late Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh on April 23, 1957.
The map shows the layout of the park and how it was divided up for the different sections of the crowd, such as school parties and the general public, were to be. First aid posts and refreshments stands are marked, along with the designated entrances for each group that were set up for the day. For example, school parties had to use the park gates at the corner of Love Lane and Heath Lane.
The map also shows the surrounding roads and reveals that many of the houses around the park were named – how many of those names are still in use today?
On the back of the map is a pencilled note giving its provenance:
“Police plan of Mary Stevens Park, Stourbridge, for the visit of H.M. the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, 23 April, 1957. Miss Joan Makin, special constable was on duty and her husband-to-be Harry Jack Haden, chief reporter of the County Express, was present in the Council House and switched on the lights in the glass collection show case for the royal visitors and expanded on the presentation to them of glass made at Stourbridge College of Art.”
The Queen’s visit to Stourbridge was part of a busy itinerary that saw her visit several towns across the Black Country. The royal party arrived in Stourbridge late in the afternoon, around 4 o’clock. Coming from Brierley Hill, they entered the town by the historic bridge and were driven along the High Street and onto Worcester Street, heading for the park.
They were met at the town council’s headquarters at Studley Court by the Mayor of Stourbridge, Alderman Howard Walker, and Philip Drury, the town clerk.
After the presentation of gifts the Queen signed the visitor book and then she and the Duke were taken on a tour of the park in a special open top Land Rover.
The crowds filled the park, many having waited several hours to catch sight of the young queen. It was a warm day and several fainted and had to be treated by St John Ambulance volunteers.
Scouts and Girl Guides, along with cadets and ex-servicemen lined the route. A special group of around 700 pensioners from clubs in the area were positioned near the bandstand and there were hundreds of children from the local schools.
To commemorate the visit, the park’s main boulevard was renamed Queen’s Drive and a special flower trough with a plaque was placed near the entrance.