Standing with my mate at the top of his drive in Ecclesfield, South Yorkshire, on the 2nd of June 1953, we watched the village procession, celebrating the Queens coronation, pass by.

It was damp and miserable for early June but the beautiful blonde village Coronation Queen was able to lift any hearts. She rode in a lorry with dignity and grace surrounded by her attendants, appropriately bedecked for the day, and was just 15 years old. As she passed a smile and a wave seemed especially directed at me.

Well I followed that procession into a nearby local park, where further events had been arranged, and furthermore managed to engage in conversation. Her name was June Maureen Hague, she was Head Girl at the local Secondary School and above all a Sheffield Wednesday fan. She was too a phenomenal triathlon athlete beating girls much older in competitions. Wow! When she accepted my invitation for a date at the cinema - another wow.

Well inevitably in April 1958 June Maureen Hague became Mrs Roy Norcliffe, and from that Coronation day sprang 60 years of a gloriously rumbustious marriage, two Children, Grandchildren and several Greats- sadly she missed the last two.

She was truly delighted to receive her Majesty’s congratulatory message in 2018, but sadly never saw it framed and presented.

So amidst the recent Coronation excitement I quietly enjoyed private but crystal clear memories of 70 years ago.