Coronation Gala Day

Coronation Day Gala at Bata Shoes

A fast-paced colour record of the June 2nd, 1953, Coronation Day Gala at the Bata factory, East Tilbury, Essex. A comprehensive programme of events and amusements was organised for the company’s employees. Crowds gather outside the main entrance. Multi-coloured bunting decorates the buildings and UK and Commonwealth flags fly from the flagpoles, some above five-storey block. Fascia between ground and first floors has symbols of UK nations on large shields. Crowds enter beneath banner reading, ‘Long Reign Our Queen’. ‘Lyons Ice Cream’ lorry is parked nearby. Bata Cinema displays notice, ‘Box Office for all Coronation Week Events’. Parade of shops, including Bata Estate Post Office. Aerial views from a high vantage point showing factory buildings including smoking chimneys, employees’ semi-detached houses and the marquees set out for the day. Cars parked by petrol pumps at Bata Auto Service. Blocks of employees’ flats. View through car windscreen on brief tour of estate. Bunting-bedecked homes. Garage blocks and building marked, ‘Rubber Footwear’. Bata vehicles outside large garage. Car – FJN 371 – continues tour to Sports and Social Club, running track, girls track and funfair with roundabout in middle-distance. Amusements under marquees and several rides. Large photos of contestants in the Beautiful Children Competition. Crowds around field where a military band performs. Row of seated judges positioned to watch children’s fancy dress parade. Closer shots of bandsmen. Men’s tug-of-war, women’s race and children’s races with awarding of prizes. Rides, including a roundabout and the ‘Coronation Speedway’. Group of badged officials. Milling crowds with several individuals giving glances to camera. Brief view of greenhouses and gardens.

Featured Buildings

Bata Factory; Bata-Ville

Keywords

Coronation; Coronation Day; Factories; Planned Towns; Model Communities; Modernist Architecture; Celebrations; Funfairs; Galas

Background Information

Bata Shoes was founded in 1894 by Tomáš Baťa in Zlín (then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, today the Czech Republic) and it became an international company. Construction of the Essex factory and community at East Tilbury began in 1932. Following its international pattern, the company also created a pioneering work-living community around its factory. For the rest of the 20th century, the factory was an economic force in the Tilbury area. Designed by a Czech architect, it created a unique model of a company town in Britain. Bata's vision was for a whole society, complete with worker housing, schools for the children, and entertainment. This film was shot by John Tusa, Managing Director of British Bata Shoes. From Zlín, he moved to England in 1939 with his family. They lived in the nearby village of Horndon-on-the-Hill where his son, also John Tusa (Sir John Tusa), grew up.