Saturday 6th May 2023 Westminster Abbey

King Charles III, Charles Philip Arthur George, was born on 14th November 1948 in Buckingham Palace during the reign of his maternal grandfather, King George VI, and was three years old when his mother, Elizabeth II, acceded to the throne in 1952, making him the heir apparent. He was made Prince of Wales in 1958, his investiture was held in 1969.
Charles was educated at Cheam and Gordonstoun schools and later spent six months at the Timbertop Campus of Geelong Grammar School in Victoria, Australia. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Cambridge, Charles served in the Royal Air Force and Navy for five years, beginning in 1971.
In 1981, he married Lady Diana Spencer, with whom he has two sons: William and Harry. The couple divorced in 1996. Diana died in a car crash the following year. In 2005, Charles married his long-term partner, Camilla Parker Bowles.
As heir apparent, Charles undertook official duties and engagements on behalf of his mother. He founded the youth charity The Prince’s Trust in 1976, sponsors The Prince’s Charities, and is a patron, president, or a member of, over 400 other charities and organisations. He has advocated for the conservation of historic buildings and the importance of architecture in society; in that vein, Charles generated the experimental new town of Poundbury.
An environmentalist, Charles supported organic farming and action to prevent climate change during his time as the manager of the Duchy of Cornwall estates, earning him awards and recognition. He has published his views by authoring or co-authoring over 20 books.
Charles succeeded his mother, on her death, on 8th September 2022, at the age of 73, he was the oldest person to accede to the British throne, after being the longest-serving heir apparent and Prince of Wales in British history.

Pictured below left trying out the bowling green.

Charles’ Visit to Newton Aycliffe as Prince

The original Aycliffe Radio was launched in Newton Aycliffe on 1st May 1978 and was officially opened by Prince Charles. The original Aycliffe Radio studio was based in the town centre in Upper Dalton Way (above Paul Gittins shop) and ran by Harry Rowell. Aycliffe Community Radio was one of the first ‘community radio’ stations in the UK which was broadcast through the Rediffusion television network.

Prince Charles officially opened the Newton Aycliffe Sports Complex in 1978 during a visit to the town on it’s 30th anniversary.

A Date With History

Unfortunately, we can’t all be in London for the historic Coronation of King Charles III, but what we can do, is make it a day to remember.
In the future we will be asking ‘where were you on the day of the Coronation?’
Just a moment in time but many will remember it as a momentous time in their life.
It would be magical if we can all get together with family and friends for a picnic. An excuse to let your hair down and be with other Newtonians celebrating the day.
It gives me great pleasure, as Mayor, to announce that our fantastic Town Council will be hosting a Coronation Big Lunch at the Town Park on Sunday 7th May between 1pm and 4pm.
It would be great to see everyone at the park, so please bring along a picnic and join in with the fun.
We have free live entertainment from Aycliffe and Brancepeth Brass Band, singer Jenna Highfield, The Shine Choir, a Scottish Piper and Stilt Walkers.

Local Window Displays

Images drawn by Vicky Hilland on to the windows of Blakes public house to celebrate the coronation of King Charles.

The Coronation

We’re quickly approaching a red letter day,
When our King will be anointed,
And his subjects will pray,
That he will be blessed with humility, wisdom and care,
as his Coronation celebration we will all share.
We’ll forget our problems for a few days,
and look out the bunting and shout ‘Hip, hip, hooray!’

We’ll deck ourselves out in red, white and blue,
and wave our flags,
despite what the nation has recently been through.
Can we make this a fresh new start?
Although Queen Elizabeth will always have a place in our hearts.
Let’s see what King Charles can do, as he sees the world from a modern view.

May this Coronation day fill us with hope,
And give us the ability to cope,
With the challenges we’ve been given,
Let our nation heal and not be riven.
We’ll share our cakes, sandwiches and scones,
And the new King said a quiche won’t go wrong!
So let’s feast and cheer and raise a glass,
to toast His Majesty en masse.
MMK 2023

Sports Complex Plaque

On Wednesday 31st May 1978 the then Prince Charles visited the town to open the Oak Leaf Sports Complex. This was a proud moment in the town’s history having the future King visit, and who would have thought it would take 45 years, almost to the day, for him to be crowned.
Receptionist Anne Sanderson (pictured) was on duty during the visit and is still working at the sports complex to this day, an excellent achievement and exceptionally loyal service. Anne commented “Watching our future King play bowls in the complex feels like yesterday. The sports complex is such a lovely place to work, very warm, friendly and welcoming.” Sports Complex Manager Andy Clark is encouraging all residents of Aycliffe to pay the complex a visit and follow the Sports Complex Facebook page. Some of the new activities over the past year have included the Warm Space Initiative, pantomime, craft fair and a County Durham funded school holiday club, which provides sport and food for children on free school meals. In the coming months we will be hosting a model railway exhibition, dog show and the annual ‘comic con’ event ‘Fantazmagoria’, as well as providing the traditional sporting opportunities for all ages.

Coronation Cocktails

Visit the Oak Leaf Sports Complex over the King’s Coronation weekend where they will be hosting an Afternoon Tea on Saturday 6th May during the live coverage of the Coronation on the television. This will include a serving of the Coronation Quiche.
Special Coronation Cocktails will also be sale and coverage of the Coronation Concert will be screened on the televisions on Sunday 7th May.

Town Centre Shop Window Competition

Aycliffe Town Centre management ran a ‘best dressed window’ competition for the coronation which was won by Salvation Army.
The above photo shows Sarah Hodgson, manageress.
See next week’s edition for more details. Send your coronation celebration photos and stories to: paul@newtonnews.co.uk