AN Examiner feature on the Queen’s first visit to Huddersfield has evoked happy memories for Armitage Bridge wood carver, Dr Joseph Hemingway.
The 1949 visit by Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip – when they toured local mills and Town’s Leeds Road football ground – was chronicled in a recent All Our Yesterdays.
The royals were received on the steps of Huddersfield Town hall by the mayor, Alderman D J Cartwright. (My school mate’s father) Alan? Who lived up, Moorend Road. (His father had a large Joinery Business)
Next door to the Guy I got my orange boxes from? For the hen run? Nest boxes. 
The Duke then inspected a contingent of the Light and Heavy Artillery Regiments and the 7th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in Ramsdens Street.
Jo vividly recalls the Queen’s coronation four years later – and has treasured mementoes of the time.
“I was 10 years old and a pupil at Crosland Moor Voluntary School, which was on College Street,” he said.
“I’d been on holiday in Ripon with Toc H and when we returned to school I was given a Bible and a drinking glass to mark the coronation.
“My older brothers, Bill & Ken got a Bible and a penknife.”
The Bible was presented to pupils across the borough by Huddersfield Education Authority and dated June 2, 1953.
Said Jo: “My parents were the first in our close to get a television set – I think it was from Blundell’s in Moldgreen – run by 2 chaps who used to work at Wiigfalls in New street , Huddersfeld. we all sat around the set to watch the coronation.”
Jo’s mother, Doris Hemingway, also bought him a special coronation book, featuring photos of the Queen on official engagements and informal family events.
The much-loved book was looking a little dog-eared – until Jo had it professionally rebound by bookbinders Riley Dunn & Wilson, based at Red Doles Lane.
Said Jo: “I’m not sure what happened to the commemorative glass, but I kept the Bible and the book my mother gave me.”
Jo’s mother also showed him a copy of Thomas Chippendale’s “Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director” in 1947– a compilation of fashionable English furniture design, which fired young Jo’s imagination and set him on his career as a woodcarver.