The celebrations by the people of Bishopstrow, to mark the Coronation of King Edward VII, in 1902, included a bonfire on Battlesbury.
From The Minute Book of Coronation Celebration Committee (in the Wiltshire Record Office, W.R.O. 1705/22):
Sports & Bonfire Committee: Messrs. Ryle, Macey, Cox, E.G. Coles, Perrett, Erskine, Temple, with power to add H. Parham.
Meeting, 6th May 1902
Mr. R.E. Coles feared there might be some difficulty in carting the faggots on to the hill as this year he had all the top land planted in corn, he however very kindly promised the Committee he would go up and look at the ground and had no doubt that the difficulty could be overcome. Mr. Cox of Bishopstrow Farm also promised his help in carting faggots up on the hill. The Chairman (Rev. G. Atwood) was instructed to ask Capt. Southey to help as usual with wood and faggots.
Meeting, 15th May 1902
The Chairman announced the gift of 100 faggots from Mr. Bennett-Stanford for which the thanks of the meeting were heartily accorded him.
Meeting, 22nd May 1902
Bonfires xs – 10/6.
Meeting, 14th June 1902
It was arranged that as many as possible should meet on Battlesbury Hill at 7 o’c on Tuesday June 17 and carry faggots from the Wood and the Wheel to the top of the Hill the site of the Bonfire.
Meeting, 21st June 1902
The Chairman reported that all had been attended to for Battlesbury and Messrs. Coles, T. Scane, B. Parham, Clifford, Shergold, Perrett, Macey and B. Scane undertook to see to the building of the Bonfire on Wed night June 25th. 2 gallons of beer were allowed for the builders. Messrs. G. Parham and T. Scane agreed to watch the bonfire until 6 o’clock on Thursday for 3/- (three shillings) each.
Illness of the King saw postponement of festivities.
Meeting, 2nd August 1902
It was decided to build the bonfire on Friday 8th inst., and to light it on Saturday at 9 p.m. The Chairman undertook to find a man to watch the bonfire on Friday night and during Saturday.
The Bonfire was lit on Coronation Day, 9th August 1902.