USUALLY when you see a picture of vast crowds at Glasgow's George Square it is often of protest rallies, confirming that the city was home to Red Clydesiders and other committed socialists. Here though is a different crowd - thousands of Glaswegians celebrating the coronation of Queen Elizabeth on June 2, 1953. The streets were deserted for the actual coronation as folk filled halls and houses where it was being shown on tiny television sets in blurry black and white. But afterwards they spilled out onto the streets, either for street parties, or heading to George Square where the then Glasgow Herald loftily stated: "The citizens made their own entertainment. Without music they danced to their own singing, matching the enthusiasm of the Lord Provost's guests in the ballroom of the City Chambers."

Elsewhere in the city there were bonfires and fireworks. Sounds like a good night out, even though it was chilly for June.