Shipquay Gate mystery solved

A story run in last week's Sentinel showed an image of Shipquay Gate bedecked on both sides with mock castle turrets sparking speculation that the arch had been decorated to celebrate the opening of the Guildhall or indeed the visit of a prominent visitor to the city.

Londonderry historians, Richard Doherty and Tony Crowe were spot on with their analysis that the appearance of the decorative castle turrets and a portcullis at Shipquay Gate were not permanent, but temporary measures to celebrate a major event. It can now be confirmed that the decorative 'crenellations' (battlements) were in fact part of a large celebration to welcome King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra to Londonderry in 1903.

In a strange twist, the picture which prompted last week's story was discovered in a beautiful antique book saved from destruction by Lisnagelvin Primary School staff as they prepared to relocate to a new school building. The book was presented by pupils of either the old Clondermot or Clooney Primary Schools to a Mr John Warwick on the occasion of his marriage in December 1901.

The Sentinel appealed for more information on the picture and received several responses confirming that the decoration of large portions of the city was in fact to welcome the monarchy.

A major response came from Ian Bartlett of St Columb's Cathedral who brought over 20 images of the visit itself to the Sentinel. The photographs are now part of the Biggar collection, so thanks must go to David Biggar as well as Mr Bartlett.

Amongst the images are extremely rare images, including a striking image of Londonderry's old Town Hall. That building's original purpose was superseded by the building of the Guildhall in 1890. However, the building remained intact and in use until a fire broke out in Austin's Department Store in 1908 the sparks from which razed the old municipal building to the ground.

The son of Queen Victoria, King Edward VII became monarch at the age of 59 on the death of his mother in 1901. Best described as a 'colourful' character it is safe to say that Edward was the black sheep of the family and the cause of great annoyance to his mother and his father Prince Albert.

In 1863, Edward married Alexandra, eldest daughter of King Kristian IX of Denmark, and the couple produced six children. Slightly earlier, in 1860, Edward became the first British monarch to visit the USA after the colonial wars almost a century earlier. The King also displayed a great interest in military affairs and did help broker many international treaties improving relations between Britain and other European powers. However, he had a poor relationship with his German cousin, Willhelm II and had the foresight to predict that he would precipitate a war. Four years after his death in 1910, Edward's prophecy was fulfilled when WWI broke out and this also seemed to vindicate his arguments in cuts in the country's military budget. Always at odds with the political establishment, he had a particular dislike of the Liberal party and its leader, William Gladstone. Edward died on May 6, 1910, 100 years almost to the day when the latest Westminster election will take place.

A man of enormous appetites, Edward often ate five meals a day, each consisting of up to ten courses and had assumed a 48 inch waist by middle age. He also consumed 12 large cigars per day on top of 20 cigarettes.

His despairing mother, Victoria, also worried that evidence of his pleasure seeking and 'immoral' attitudes would provoke the working class into radical political thinking. And, Edward did try to befriend the working classes via their main representatives of the time, such as Joseph Arch and Henry Broadhurst. However, it appears that the attempts to win the hearts and minds of the proletariat did not extend beyond the boundaries of etiquette. On one occasion when Broadhurst visited Edward's country home at Sandringham, he had not brought the correct evening attire and was obliged to eat his meals in his bedroom.

Yet, as these photographs display, the King's lascivious lifestyle did not dampen the fervour with which he was greeted on his arrival in Londonderry in 1903. The Royal party disembarked at Buncrana on July 28, before making the journey to the city by rail where they were greeted by not only the specially installed decoration at Shipquay Gate, but reams of Union flags from placed on The Diamond, Ferryquay Street, Shipquay Street and as far down as the Customs House. Rows of troops assembled to take the salute as the Royal couple made their way into Shipquay Place were the Walls and the surrounding buildings were also bedecked in

celebratory regalia.

Edward and Alexandra also paid a visit to Brooke Park and it is apparent that the preparations for the visit had been going on for sometime before that because in 1902, Mr and Mrs Gilliland of Brooke Hall donated two valuable shrubs in time for the Royal visit. On their visit to the park, the King and Queen planted trees one of which remains there to this day.

As a contemporary hook to recent reports of anti-social behaviour in Brooke Park, records reveal that in 1908 there were complaints of 'rowdyism' which led to the park's temporary closure.

The visit to Londonderry also gives an indication of the increase in the thirst for news on a global scale even at this point in history because a detailed report of the occasion appeared in the New York Times the very next day on July 29.

The report read: "LONDONDERRY, Ireland, July 28-King Edward and Queen Alexandra were accorded a great reception on their arrival here today. Large crowds from the surrounding districts assembled to greet the first English sovereigns who had ever visited Londonderry. their majesties were met at the railroad station by the Mayor and Corporation.

"The usual number of addresses were presented, replying to which the King expressed his pleasure at the references to the spirit of good feeling and harmony pervading all classes in Ireland, adding that if his visit helped consolidate this feeling he would be richly rewarded.

"Their Majesties subsequently lunched at the Guildhall and attended a variety of functions. Among the pleasant incidents was the presentation of a special address to the queen from the women of Londonderry, drawing attention to the fact that Londonderry is an important centre of industrial work for women and of the higher education of women. The King replying in behalf of Queen Alexandra expressed the opinion that "the higher education of women is one of the happiest features of our time."

After the King had laid the foundation of Brooke Park, their Majesties, who received an enthusiastic farewell, they left Londonderry for Buncrana, where they embarked on the royal yacht Victoria and Albert for a cruise along the coast."