King George V's Visit

“Quite a number of monarchs have visited Conisbrough in the past including King Egbert during his reign 827 – 839, King John in 1201, Henry III 1251, Edward I 1280, Edward ii 1322, George V 1912, Elizabeth ii 1986 (passed through).  King George V and Queen Mary visited Conisbrough on 8th July, 1912.  they arrived by special train at Doncaster about 4 o’clock, and travelled to Conisbrough en route for Wentworth Woodhouse, where they were the guests of Earl and ?Countess Fitzwilliam for a short stay.  The King and Queen were received at Conisbrough Castle by Mr W. Lowry Cole (agent of the Castle’s owner, Countess of Yarborough), who conducted them around the monument.  The Royal Party then left for Wentworth Woodhouse, journeying through Hooton Roberts, Kilnhirst and the Haugh.  On the following day they visited Clifton Park in Rotherham and Silverwood Colliery.  Later, they travelled through Rawmarsh, Swinton, Mexborough and High Melton to the model village at Brodsworth.  The couple lunched at Hickleton Hall with Lord Halifax, and returned to Wentworth via Goldthorpe, Bolton and Wath, calling at Lord Fitzwilliam Elsecar Colliery.  On this day also the King and Queen visited Cadeby Colliery, where two terrible explosions had occurred with great loss of life.  The couple were greatly moved by the disaster and shared in the grief shown by the mining communities of Conisbrough and Denaby.”

Quote from June and Tony Greathead (1990) ‘Photographs of Old Conisbrough’, p.75