It is 1,000 years since King Athelstan was crowned in the market-place at Kingston-on-Thames.
The Mayor has been asked to convene a public meeting on 12 February to interest the town in a proposed millenary celebration, suggested by Dr. W. E. St. L. Finny, an ex-Mayor, who held office five times, and supported by the Town Council, tradespeople, and the public.
Kingston is quietly proud of its ancient history, and has celebrated already several notable events. On each occasion a stained-glass window has been placed in the Town Hall. The last celebration was a pageant in 1902, to mark the millenary of the crowning of Edward the Elder.
In the market-place, in front of the Municipal Offices, is still preserved the old Coronation Stone. For centuries it was used by the magistrates and others as a stepping stone. Round the base of the stone are inscribed the names of seven kings who were crowned on it.
Dr. FinneyFinny, as above told the Westminster Gazette yesterday that there was some doubt on the point whether Athelstan was crowned in 924 or 925, but the meeting would be asked to adopt 1924 as the millenary year.
“The celebration,” he added, “will take the form of a pageant play, and a procession through the town.
The celebrations will probably be held onCutting damaged: words guessed Whit Monday.
Source info: Newspaper named in text; pageant 10 June 1924 (Times).