Thanks to a generous grant from Handforth Town Council, the Friends of Handforth Station (FoHS) were able to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in style. The main event was a special Coronation Work Party, set up as part of The Big Help Out initiative.

The station was decorated shortly before Coronation Day by FoHS volunteers. They adorned lamposts on the platforms with decals bearing the official coronation logo. A coronation flag was flown from the station flagpole, and several special posters created by FoHS were displayed in the station noticeboards. The FoHS suspended bunting (also generously provided by Handforth Town Council) from the ticket office building and the concourse railings, and mounted a Coronation display panel inside the ticket office.

On Monday 8th May, the highlight was the visit of Their Majesties the King and the Queen Consort to the station. Publicity before the event had made much of their arrival and, although the small print made it clear that they would be represented by life-sized cardboard cut-outs, some local residents dressed smartly and attended in the expectation of seeing the Royal Couple in person.

Despite some light rain, a special station litter pick occurred late in the morning, followed by photo opportunities alongside HM King and Queen. The participants included John Smith (chair of Handforth Town Council), FoHS members and residents of Handforth, Wilmslow and Cheadle Hulme. They then adjourned to The Railway pub for a celebratory party.

Jenny Barnes, the Chair of FoHS, said “The event was considered a great success. We are also delighted that we’ve been able to lend the effigies of the King and Queen to be housed in St Benedict’s RC Primary School in Handforth for a while.”