On this day in Yorkshire

January 30, 1901

HUDDERSFIELD

Edward VII was duly proclaimed King at Huddersfield yesterday. A platform had been erected along the whole front of the Town Hall in Ramsden Street, and upon that representatives of the magistracy, School Board, Board of Guardians, Technical College and Law Society assembled, while members of the Police Fire Brigade occupied positions along the borders thereof.

The ceremony was attended by a number of Volunteer officers, and it was witnessed by about 7,000 adults and a large number of schoolchildren, who been released early for the occasion.

Four trumpeters in the balcony over the portico gave out a mournful, monotonous dirge of three low notes, supposed to be a fanfare, the Town Clerk read the directions of the Privy Council to proclaim the King, and the solemn trumpeting was repeated.

The Mayor next read the Proclamation, and immediately the Union Jack, which had been at half-mast, was raised full mast amidst cheering and waving of hats and handkerchiefs for the new King.

The Fire Brigade’s band played the National Anthem, which was sung by the crowd.

HALIFAX

The Proclamation was yesterday read by the Mayor ol Halifax (Coun . Brear), from the balcony of the Town Hall. The townspeople assembled in thousands, and the gathering at the Town Hall was of a large and representative character.

After a fanfare of trumpets had been blown, the Mayor read the Proclamation, the Royal Standard being unfurled at top mast. His Worship concluded with the words “God Save The King.”

The band of the Halifax Rifle Volunteers played the National Anthem, the words being sung by the vast crowd with bared heads. Hearty cheers for the King and and Queen Alexandra followed, and then the gathering dispersed.

The Mayor afterwards sent the following telegram to the Home Secretary:- “The Proclamation of King Edward VII has today been made in the county borough of Halifax, and received by the populace with feelings of loyalty and acclamation.”