In Happy Valley

Llandudno's Rose Queen looks resplendent as she receives her crown on Alexandra Rose Day in June 1929.

A radiant Miss Decima Morris is crowned as Llandudno's Rose Queen as part of the festivities marking Alexandra Rose Day in this newsreel from June 1929. After she nods regally to a vast crowd of spectators, we're treated to an engaging close-up of the newly crowned queen. The sunny, visually appealing and entirely uncontroversial event is perfectly tuned to newsreel tastes - small wonder that the Rose Day was as much an annual fixture for Topical Budget as for its bigger rivals.

Alexandra Rose Day was started in 1912 as a fundraising event by admirers of Queen Alexandra, wife of King Edward VII. For other early rose festivals, try Rose Queen Festival at Walkden, also available on BFI Player.