Boats join historic flotilla (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Boats join historic flotilla

12:48pm Thursday 31st May 2012 in Queen Elizabeth celebrates her diamond jubilee

Twp boats representing the people of Wiltshire will join the Diamond Jubilee pageant of more than 1,000 vessels on the River Thames on Sunday.

Jane Scott, the leader of Wiltshire Council, will be on one of them and said it would be a “real honour”.

She said: “It will be wonderful to see Wiltshire represented in the flotilla and I am pleased to be a part of what will be a memorable day.

“I consider it a real honour to be offered the opportunity to participate in this unique occasion.”

Coun Scott will be boarding the Cockney Sparrow, the boat of Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sarah Rose Troughton. She is expected to be joined by the deputy lieutenants and Rod Bluh, leader of Swindon Council.

Mrs Troughton said: “I am excited that a Wiltshire boat, filled with members of the lieutenancy and their guests, will be participating in the biggest maritime flotilla on the Thames since the time of Henry VIII.

“It is marvellous that Her Majesty The Queen is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee in this magnificent way and I am really looking forward to being part of this historic event.”

The boat can accommodate up to 90 passengers on two levels.

Also joining the county’s contingent will be the Wiltshire Normandy Veterans, who will take to the water in a six-wheel-drive amphibious DUKW truck.

Chairman Bob Conway said: “I can’t believe it’s happening. I’m very proud to be a part of something that will be an important occasion in everyone’s lives.

“I think it is going to be a very big event and it is an honour to be invited to join in.”

The dozen veterans, partners and carers will attend a gathering at the Tower of London.

The formal river procession, between 2pm and 6pm, starts upriver of Battersea Bridge and finishes downriver of Tower Bridge.

Rowed boats, working boats and pleasure vessels will be dressed with streamers and flags.

There will be an abundance of historic boats, wooden launches, steam vessels and other boats of note taking part.