Queen Diamond Jubilee Pageant (JUNE 2012)

By Jack Sharp ("Sona")

Senior Patrol Leader & Young Leader.

The Thames River Pageant for the Queens Diamond Jubilee, the first in 300 years. Organised chaos is the term I think would best describe the River pageant in all its glory, having stayed over in the boat house the day previously one might expect the baggy eyes, yawns and general bad tempers usually indicative of a night’s camp. Not so, for come morning, the 4^th were raring to go with two Home Counties Gigs, bedecked with purple bunting to get on the water.

A pity then perhaps that the larger part of the morning was spent waiting for the elusive boat inspectors to arrive. The scene at the slipway though was enthralling, boats everywhere of all different shapes and sizes, gigs, dragon boats you name it and it was probably there. It was at this point that we split up with the other scout group, Netley, who had been staying with us for the night and perused the mystery man who was meant to be inspecting our boat. Eventually finding him and then having been given the all clear we found out that we couldn’t put boats on the water for another 2 hours!

Bored to tears waiting around, a satisfying pastime came out of the blue. Television reporters seemed more than happy to give a few of us a quick interview Lights, camera, action everybody, fame and stardom awaits. Or not, for some reason the only thing the reporters were interested in was the frankly terrible fashion disaster of several people wearing 3-D glasses (mentioning no names of course!) not exactly our passport to fame but good fun all the same!

Then, after a long and drawn out 2 (3 and a half) hours we finally launched onto the water, and became a part of the pageant, of course not, no, in actual fact we had to row another two miles just to get to the start point! Minor exhaustion setting in before even reaching the start point hadn’t been planned but all the same, the atmosphere was amazing even before the start, the bridges were lined with people waving and cheering, if you wanted motivation there was no shortage in supply.

 Of course this wouldn’t be the start point. No apparently there was a muster point and a start point. Thoroughly confused, brain food (sandwiches, crisps, chocolate etc.) was handed out. Still none the clearer from our meal we were eventually told to move on to the start point, talk about hidden charges!   Having reached the start point and watching in awe at the magnificent sight of the royal boats, Gloriana and the spirit of Chartwell, the puckish gods of weather saw fit to attempt to dampen the occasion, quite literally. The skies opened and the rain fell like the angry, childish chorus of MPs debating which their favourite brand of beer was. As if to add to the din, the orient express turned up and spent quite some time it seemed trying to get into the perfect position for the cameras, before finally sounding its horn and setting the pageant underway.

Nothing however was going to dampen the spirit of the 4^th! Oh no our two teams of plucky rowers kept on valiantly pulling. A rhythm was found and we started to pull on. I must say enjoying ourselves greatly at the onslaught of cheers kept the pace going. Soon enough we were hopeful and got up to the point at which the spirit of Chartwell was moored tossing oars respectfully as we went past, we even had a little conversation with prince Charles who apparently could think of nothing better to ask us, the shivering blue lipped crew if it was “a little chilly” “errrrrrrrm yes?” in the grand scheme of royal lines Kate managed to trump him with a simple "hello", and William even wished us luck for the rest of the day it really makes you feel good to know that people can be polite!

Although eventually the boats had to be taken into tow due to some frankly awful mathematical calculations somewhere (yes, funnily enough if you have boats going at 4 knots they are going to be overtaken by boats going at 8 knots) and the freezing cold starting to set in towards the end. The day in general was enjoyed by all with plenty of support from everyone it was a great feeling everyone wants you to succeed.

As the final boats passed under Tower Bridge they let off fireworks from the top, which we missed as we were at the front of the flotilla but never the less would have been amazing to see! There was also lots of talk about the Jubilee Bells, which were afloat, to which we never saw or heard, due to the same reason of being at the front. Gee, we rowers just got all the best bits of this one!

By the end, a cold and rather bedraggled 4^th set of back to Streatham with the spoils of the day that were; jubilance and the need for a hot cup of tea. 

 It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and a great experience. Everyone who saw us said it was magnificent and I know it’s not something I’ll forget in a hurry.

The two crews for the pageant were:

"Thames Scout":
· Derek M (Sparks), - cox,
· Roy M. (Flags),
· Freddie K (Baloo),
· Nathan N (Rann),
· Jack S (Sona),
· Ewan B (Ko),
· Hugo C,
· Joshua J,
· Johnny P,
· Jake R.

"Marie Louise":
· Narden M, (Mowgli) - cox,
· Barbara P (Akela),
· Alex B (Trick),
· Jordan T (Sub),
· Huw F (Jaunty),
· Frankie P (Mysa),
· Alexander S-K.