Oldham girl was youngest standard bearer at Coronation

Oldham Air Cadet Naomi Park, 17, from Lees, was the youngest of the 100 standard bearers that took part in the King’s coronation procession.

Naomi started training as a standard bearer with the Royal British Legion last year and has gone from strength to strength.

Earlier this year, she won the Greater Manchester County Youth Standard Bearer Competition and became the county standard bearer.

The 17-year-old then went on to win the North West regional competition before coming second at the National Youth Standard Bearer Competition last month.

As the deputy national standard bearer, Naomi was invited by the Royal British Legion to take part in the Coronation procession on Saturday.

Noami Park with David Brown, one of the parade marshals at the event (Image: Naomi Park)

Naomi headed to London last Tuesday with her mum Jenny Park and took part in an overnight procession practise from 9pm to 5am that night followed by practises every night that week until the day of the coronation.

Reflecting on the day, Naomi said: “I felt so honoured and privileged to be part of something that special.

“Being the youngest there I also felt even more privileged.”

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Naomi, who only came back from London on Sunday, has only recently been allowed to tell her friends and extended family that she was part of the Coronation as ahead of the event the day’s proceedings were kept completely confidential.

She said: “I’ve not spoken about it to many people yet, but my parents are pleased.”

Naomi’s mum Jenny, who was with Naomi in London as her chaperone, confirmed: “We’re very proud of her.”

Naomi Park (centre) during the procession (Image: Naomi Park)

The mother and daughter watched the Coronation back on TV on Monday once they arrived home.

Naomi said: “Watching it on TV made me realise how big it actually was.”

Alison Clowes, who is one of the civilian instructors at Oldham Air Cadets and helped train Naomi, said: "It’s absolutely amazing to think that someone from Oldham can be invited to something absolutely massive that has been watched worldwide.

“It is an amazing achievement for someone so young.”

Alison who is also the vice chairman, standard bearer, and Poppy Appeal organiser at the Royal British Legion Saddleworth Branch, added: “It’s amazing to think that someone from Oldham got there and that I helped guide that person and watched her grow through the Air Cadets.”

Naomi is planning to enter the adult standard bearer competitions next year once she turns 18 and has set her sights on joining the Royal Air Force (RAF).