ON this Royal holiday, it is fitting to begin Yesterday Once More with some monarchical memories. Readers have brought in their own mementoes of previous days of pomp and pageantry.

Pauline Wilson was clearing out "some of my junk" when she came across souvenirs of the Coronation, which took place on June 2, 1953.

The first is a copy of the Sunday Graphic, long-since defunct, a special tabloid supplement which features an official portrait of the newly-crowned Queen, complete with orb and sceptre, by Cecil Beaton.

Inside was an interview with Norman Hartnell, who designed the Queen's Coronation dress, and many of the outfits worn by distinguished guests. He watched the ceremony from the Queen's box at Westminster Abbey.

"I don't mind admitting it was the most moving moment of my life when I saw my work worn by peeresses, viscountesses, countesses, duchesses... by Lady Churchill, HRH Princess Alexandra, HRH Princess Margaret, HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother... our exquisite Queen herself," he said.

Mr Hartnell also told the Graphic of a delightful moment during the Queen's fittings "when exquisite little Princess Anne with her golden bubble curls and delightful Prince Charles came in and helped pick patterns with their tiny dimpled fingers".

Mrs Wilson also passed on the Overseas Daily Mirror and Sunday Pictorial Coronation Souvenir (price one shilling). This was a reprint of some of the Daily Mirrors published in Coronation week.

In one edition, a report revealed how peers who were unlucky in the draw for seats at the Abbey had been invited to fill the gaps left by those lords who had declined to take part.

"I know why one elderly peer refused to ballot," the reporter confided. "His girlfriend wouldn't let him. She is jealous of his wife."

Among those to take advantage of the late offer of a ringside seat was Lord Lucan, the peer who went missing.

A report in a later Mirror revealed that television would take the viewer within 12ft of the Queen during the ceremony.

In the same edition, legendary columnist Cassandra attacked delegates of the Union of Foundry Workers at a Scarborough dinner-dance. They had refused to sing God Save The Queen and demanded The Red Flag instead.

"The delegates, many without collars and ties, no doubt in the interests of 'I'm-as-scruffy-as-you-are-Jack', shouted 'No, no, not that!' when the British National Anthem was started," he fulminated.

"Unaccompanied, they moaned their little dirge."

On Coronation Eve, Cassandra wrote: "Twenty, thirty, forty, fifty years hence people will say, 'Yes I remember the Great Coronation of 1953' - and then they will start recalling things that didn't happen, romancing about things that never occurred and generally putting a lot of parsley over the facts until you can't see them...

"So just for the record we'll put down a few items of the odd things that are going on at Coronation Zero Hour. Let some kind friend cut this out, seal it up in a test tube, put away in an old drawer and leave to simmer gently until June 1, 2003."

We've opened the test tube a year early, and among the odd things listed is this: "At East Grinstead the children who go to the Coronation Party will, after they have had their tea, be stamped on the wrist with indelible ink. This will prevent them getting more than their fair share of the refreshments."

There were plenty of refreshments for everyone at the Coronation party in Acomb, mind. It was held at the Church Hall in Front Street, since converted into a carpet showroom.

Elsie Baker brought in her picture of everyone celebrating. "It was a mixed crowd," she remembered.

She can be seen in the second row from the back, holding her baby. That is James, 50 this year.

The boy at the front blowing up the balloon is her other son, Maurice. Mrs Baker's late husband, also called Maurice, is second from the left at the back.

"I wore my party hat," she said. "It was a good day."

Finally on the royal front, we need your help. Marie-Louise Fagan, Nestl UK press officer, has come across an evocative old picture of the Rowntree factory.

The women are packing boxes marked 'Rowntree's King Chocolate' and 'Rowntree's Queen Chocolate'.

"We have no clues about the picture and the people in it and thought we could enlist your readers' help," said Marie-Louise.

Any information gratefully received. Write to Chris Titley, The Evening Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN, email chris.titley@ycp.co.uk or ring (01904) 653051 ext 337.

Updated: 11:43 Monday, June 03, 2002