This photograph shows the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria, 21st June 1887. After Thanksgiving Services in all the churches a Royal salute was fired from the pier. Then representatives of all the trades and public services paraded in order to show Torquay's loyalty. The start of the long procession was headed by the brass band of the firemen. Can you see the lifeboat on a cart drawn by horses in the distance? In the procession, the central figure of Britannia was surrounded by symbolic characters representing parts of the British Empire in India, Canada, the West Indies, Australia and Africa. At this point, the parade was in Union Street.

Torquay would have wanted to put on a good show not only to show loyalty to the Queen but also for the entertainment of summer visitors. 5000 special medals were given to the children and there was a dinner for the poor in the Market Hall. The day ended with a firework display.

Find out what a Jubilee is and how many years were celebrated in a golden jubilee.