Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee
June 22nd 1897
Gateshead Celebrations
Children assembled at their Gateshead schools on the morning of June 22nd. Each child was given a paper bag containing two buns and an orange, and presented with a Jubilee Medal.
The medal was in the form of a Maltese cross, especially struck for the occasion.
On the obverse: a design in low relief of a head of the Queen, and the years of her birth, coronation, marriage and diamond jubilee.
On the reverse, the Arms of Gateshead with the name of the Mayor, John Tulip Scott and the date of the jubilee.
The older scholars then marched in five long processions to Saltwell Park.
810 scholars from Wrekenton, Sheriff Hill and Low Fell schools entered the park by the east gate.
2,330 from Grant Street, St. Wilfrid's, Oakwellgate, Prior Street and Sunderland Road entered the park by Avenue Road and the main entrance.
1,900 from the Abbot Memorial School, South Street, Shipcote and Higher Grade Girls entered by Enfield Hill and the main entrance
4,300 from Askew Road, St. Mary's, St.Joseph's, Windmill Hills, Rochester Street, Wesleyan, Alexandra Road and Higher Grade Boys entered by Brinkburn Avenue and the north gate.
2,700 from Victoria, Redheugh, Rose Street, Lady Vernon and Brighton Avenue schools entered by Saltwell Road and the west gate.
Younger children received the same gifts, but were entertained at their schools.
In Saltwell Park, a barricade divided off a space of nearly an acre on the sloping ground to the east of the bandstand. In this space the place of each school was marked.
The programme
At 11.50 Inauguration of the proceedings by the Mayor
At 12 noon The Union Jack was hoisted and 12,000 children and 30,000 adults led by the music of five bands performed the National Anthem.
After three further songs and hymns the children were dismissed at 12.30 and two bands entertained the adults until 2.45.
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