This film was commissioned by Leek Urban District Council to record events during Coronation Week in June 1953. We open with views of Leek town centre highlighting the historic buildings, views of the retail market, cattle market, inside a textile mill and briefly the Adams dairy.
We then see a meeting of Leek Urban District Council chaired by Councillor Fallon and the souvenir programme for the week being leafed through. We then have a series of events beginning with the dedication of a bench outside the Nicholson War Memorial involving Councillor P.M. Johnson and the presentation of new saplings at Hillswood as a gift from Councillor Harry Goodwin. The next section covers the presentation of souvenir Coronation mugs at the Boys County Secondary Modern School, Westwood Hall Girls' School and Westwood Row Primary School. At the primary school the children also have a sit-down tea. Coronation cups and saucers are then presented to pensioners and we see them enjoying tea and biscuits.
The next sequence shows a procession to St. Edwards Church led by local police officers and also including scouts, guides, St John Ambulance and other official groups. In the event held on the Sunday before Coronation Day we see the parade arriving at the church where they are met by the Rural Dean of Leek.
Coronation Day itself begins with a group of men carrying an ox carcass into the Town Hall where it will be spit roasted. We then see a family watching the BBC Coronation broadcast on television at home and a larger group watching the same broadcast in the council chamber. Country dancing takes place in the Town Hall led by the Sheffield Square Dance Band. We then see night shots of a beacon being lit at Morridge which burns fiercely despite the weather. Back at the Town Hall we see the roasted meat being made into sandwiches and large crowds being admitted to the building to eat.
We continue with events following Coronation Day beginning with junior cycle trials that start with the riders and their machines being inspected at Ball Haye Green before they take part in cycle tests through the streets ending with riding through cones at the local High School. Table tennis at Milward Hall and a darts tournament at the Town Hall follows.
The remainder of the film is in colour beginning with views of the decorated streets including a series of decorated arches which were constructed on major roads. We also see exterior shots of decorated mills and factories followed by residential streets (Grove Street, Livingstone Street and Chorley Street are seen). The final section shows a carnival procession that was held (the first carnival in Leek since 1939). We see children in fancy dress, decorated floats, marching bands and dancers. The children are judged on their costumes and prizes are awarded. Further events for the carnival are seen including a marching cadet band, cycle and running races and finally a night-time fireworks display.
Film produced by John Martin Ltd, Hanley, Stoke on Trent