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19.10.2011

Last Chance for Jubilee Pageant

Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant Media Release

Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant: last chance for boat registration 

The deadline for public applications for boats to take part in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on Sunday, 3rd June 2012 is less than two weeks away. Registration closes on 31st October 2011.

Pageant Master Adrian Evans is delighted with the response so far.  He said:  “Time is running out for all those who wish to take part.  We have had an amazing response and are thrilled with the number and variety of wonderful vessels that have already registered.   This will be the biggest river pageant to take place on the Thames since the reign of Charles II, three and a half centuries ago, and it may not happen again for a very long time.  So if you have a special or interesting boat, don’t miss the possibility of being involved.”

The Matthew, a magnificent sailing boat, has registered to take part in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant
 
The Matthew, a magnificent sailing boat, has registered to take part in the 
Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant
(click on image to enlarge)

Of the many remarkable vessels that have registered to take part, there are a number of exciting boats the selection team is considering. One is 'The Matthew' of Bristol, a replica of the sailing ship that took John Cabot to mainland America in 1497, which was recently used in the film 'The Voyage of the Dawn Treader'.

One thousand boats will be involved in the 12.5 mile long flotilla, stretching from Hammersmith in the West to Greenwich in the East, with the Royal Barge travelling from Putney to Tower Bridge.   Featuring vessels of all shapes and sizes, there will be several sections, each led by a music barge.  The “Avenue of Sail”, from London Bridge to Greenwich, will feature all vessels whose height is over five and a half meters – these will be moored on the river bank.

Registration is through the website which also shows categories for registration and other details. 

The process of selecting the boats that will take part will begin after registration has closed and will be completed by the end of the year.   It will be carried out by a group including representatives from the river community, boat clubs and associations, and will be led by Mr Evans, who added:  “The first consideration will be safety and fitness-for-purpose.  The Thames is a difficult and dangerous river and we must pay due respect to that. 

“We will then consider the range of vessel types, looking for those vessels with historical significance or a story to tell.  We are also determined to ensure that we have representation from across the UK and the Commonwealth.  We want the Pageant to be as spectacular and as exciting as possible and we are looking for boats that will add to that, so the more we have to choose from, the easier it will be to achieve.  

“Needless to say, it won’t be possible to include everyone, and if your boat is not selected for whatever reason, there will be lots of wonderful opportunities to enjoy the day from the river bank and around London.  We want to make sure that everyone has a great time on what will be an extraordinary day as we say thank you to The Queen for her sixty years of service to the Nation and the Commonwealth.”

A detailed pageant briefing is downloadable for anyone completing the registration form.

The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant is a key element of planned national celebrations across the Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend. For further details, see www.direct.gov.uk/diamondjubilee

Further information for journalists, contact:

Kate Levine: Partner, Pagefield 020 7440 0980 / 07740 473 641 or Email
Michelle Lavipour: Executive, Pagefield 020 7440 0980 / 07940 735 313 or Email 

Journalists can find media information and downloadable photographs on the media centre pages at: www.thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org

Twitter hashtag: #riverpageant

Notes to Editors:

The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant is being organised by the Thames Diamond Jubilee Foundation.  The Chairman is Lord Salisbury, who – as Viscount Cranborne – organised the D-Day, VE Day and VJ Day 50th anniversary events.  The CEO is Michael Lockett, who has worked on the Hong Kong Handover Ceremony, the Millennium project and London’s bid for the 2012 Olympics. He was awarded the CVO for his work on the Golden Jubilee concerts at Buckingham Palace. 

The membership of the Foundation is as follows:

  • Lord Salisbury (Chairman)
  • Michael Lockett CVO (CEO)
  • David Clifford (Company Secretary)
  • Charlotte Cowan (Executive Assistant to Michael Lockett)
  • Sir Michael Craig-Cooper CBE TD DL
  • Adrian Evans (Pageant Master and Thames Festival Director)
  • Shana Fleming OBE (Executive Assistant to Lord Salisbury)
  • Mark Gallagher (Communications Adviser, Senior Partner, Pagefield)
  • David Heathcoat-Amory (Head of Fundraising)
  • Rosanna Machado (Project Director)
  • Munira Mirza ( Adviser for Arts and Culture, Greater London Authority)
  • Brigadier Roy Ratazzi CBE (Fundraising)

Auditors: KPMG
Legal counsel: Pemberton Greenish

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