People across the country and the Commonwealth are invited to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort over a weekend of special events on 6–8 May.

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Across England and Wales NACTSEW members will be joining in the celebrations at all manner of events.  This is a time for street parties, fun events at school, formal “black tie” events, informal family gatherings around the TV and a whole spectrum of celebrations. 

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But the Coronation is also a time to recall and reflect upon those long-held traditions that members of NACTSEW hold with such high respect.  One such, and  dearly loved, tradition with which I am familiar is the presentation of a Lamprey Pie* to the Royal Household. 

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For those not familiar with Lamprey Pies, Lamprey pie is a pastry dish made from sea lampreys or European river lampreys. Lampreys were a delicacy for the wealthy in medieval England and were often given as gifts to royalty as a means of seeking favour. It became tradition for the city of Gloucester to give the monarch a lamprey pie each Christmas.

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At the time of the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Sheriff of Gloucester travelled to Windsor Castle to deliver a Lamprey Pie.  Since then Jubilee years have been marked in a similar way. 

 

In 2012 it was my great honour to present a huge Lamprey Pie in the shape of Gloucester Cathedral to “Edward and Sophie”.

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The 2023 Lamprey Pie was presented to the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire on 27th April, and you can find a short account at www.sheriffsofenglandandwales.org/gloucester

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Members and friends of NACTSEW, please enjoy the Coronation celebrations and do write and tell me (or add to our website) how you are marking this historic occasion in your town or city. 

 

In the meantime, please join with me in sending our congratulations to our new King, Charles III on his Coronation.  God Save The King!