03/10/12 How Lincoln celebrated a Royal Jubilee in 1887

As preparations get underway for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, a royal fan has given an insight into how Lincoln celebrated 50 years of her great-grandmother’s reign.

Brian Morris, 73, a retired sociologist from Fiskerton, is the proud owner of a letter from June 18, 1887, detailing arrangements to mark Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee.

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History: Brian Morris has a document from 1887 that lists requirements for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee
The letter, which has been passed through his family, is from Lincoln’s town clerk J.T. Tweed’s office. It is written to J.W. Giles, of 26 Colegrave Street, who is believed to have been the church warden at St Botolph’s Church, in High Street.

Mr Giles was grandfather to Mr Morris’s late wife Elisabeth Ann, who died two years ago.

 The letter states the bells at St Botolph’s were to be rung on June 21, 1887, at 8am, from 10am to 11am, immediately after morning service and until the arrival of the procession in Great Northern Yard.

The national anthem was to be sung in the yard.

There were to be more bells from 2pm to 3pm, immediately after the afternoon service and during the evening.

The note also says 10s could be claimed for refreshments for the bellringers.

Mr Morris, who describes himself as “very much a royalist”, said the document has been passed down through his wife’s family.

“It’s very interesting to see how the city celebrated Queen Victoria’s jubilee back then,” said Mr Morris, who will be celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s jubilee at home, quietly.

“I particularly like the mention of the money for refreshments for the bellringers.

“I think Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II are remarkable women in what they achieved and what they tried to achieve.

“I think Victoria managed to marry off her progeny to every royal house in Europe – for only the second time in history.

“The fact that the present monarch has developed from what was a very staid establishment when she became Queen to something much more modern but still retaining the dignity is pretty wonderful.”

Queen Elizabeth II will have to reign until September 10, 2015, when she will be 89, to have spent longer on the throne than Queen Victoria’s 63 years and 216 days from 1837 to 1901.

Celebrations will include street parties, bell ringing, parades and all things red, white and blue over June 2,3,4, and 5 to mark her 60-year milestone.

So far, 15 applications for street parties this June have been approved in Lincolnshire.

Jean Flannery, chairman of Boultham Residents’ Association, said a celebration for the jubilee was being planned with the Royal Naval Association Club.

“There will be some kind of celebration, whether it’s an indoor party like we had for William and Kate or out in the street,” she said.

“I think the Queen’s jubilee is something to celebrate.

“She’s worked hard for her people and she has a real sense of duty and has done her best.

“Anyway, let’s celebrate something positive.”

A major celebration is planned at Lincoln Castle on Monday, June 4 which will be free to the public.

Will Mason, district manager at the castle, said: “It will include the lighting of beacons – part of a huge chain across the entire country – a medieval re-enactment, and much more.”