Page 35 - Phonebox Magazine September 2012

A Summer Day by the River AN OBSERVATION BY STEVE CLARK
Some of the more perceptive readers of this illustrious journal may well have noticed that rainfall has been somewhat in excess of that which might be expected during the past four months. Indeed, it would probably be true to say that it has rained almost every day since the decision was taken to introduce a hosepipe ban on April 5th. This will inevitably lead to the usual comments that we have not actually had a summer this year. Those responsible for such statements will
doubtless forget the sustained period of warm dry weather in March that inevitably led to the hosepipe ban in the first place. I think we may just have to get used to the fact that summer now arrives at a different
in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant staged on 3rd June. She is powered by a crew of 18 oarsmen and can carry an additional 34 passengers and crew. It was a great opportunity to see Gloriana close up and in brilliant sunshine after her somewhat soggy inaugural appearance. The vessel is amazingly ornate, with the prow sculptures highlighted in gold leaf. The only marginal glitch on the day came when one of the three tea tents was almost a minute late in opening! Guests were able to sample a sumptuous
time, and just take our UK holidays in March or October instead. However, despite the seemingly incessant rain, there have actually been a reasonable number of warm dry days incorporated into the deluge.
One such day occurred on Monday 25th June, which was rather fortunate as I had been invited to attend a Diamond Jubilee Garden Party near Henley-on- Thames on that day. This function could have been something of a disaster had the heavens opened but, luckily for the 4,000 assembled guests, the event enjoyed almost constant sunshine throughout. The event was organised on behalf of the Lord Lieutenants of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire and
point her superstructure had been used as a scout hut before the enterprising Boy Scouts chopped up the superstructure and sold it as firewood in order to raise funds for a new hut! When her hull was rediscovered in Oxford in 1974 it was decked with plywood, filled with concrete, and was being used as a boarding pontoon for hire boats! The condition of the vessel now is a fitting tribute to the amazing craftsmanship of the dedicated team who restored her to her former glory prior to her relaunch in 1987.
Links: Email: stephen.clark89@yahoo.co.uk Website: www.tinyurl.com/km9hdd Steve on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Tiliacus Thames Steamers: www.thames-steamers.co.uk/index.html MK Community Foundation: www.mkcommunityfoundation.co.uk
the choice of the venue, the Henley Business School at Greenlands, was inspirational. Greenlands is a truly spectacular location on the bank of the River Thames at the point where the three counties meet, and has a long-standing association with the nation’s monarch having been visited by Queen Elizabeth I, King George V and Queen Mary.
featured about 25 historical vessels, each described in an audio soundtrack which accompanied the pageant. The soundtrack featured voice-overs by Emma Freud, Jeremy Irons, Geoffrey Palmer, Sir Steve Redgrave and Lyndon Yorke.
Despite three months of almost continuous rain the grass parking areas at Greenlands had held up well and incoming vehicles were smoothly and efficiently parked. All of the assembled guests, including around 1,000 people selected by public ballot, had been security vetted several weeks in advance, so entry to the venue went very smoothly and all of the security staff on duty were relaxed and very friendly. Many of the guests were immediately drawn by the sight of Gloriana, the 94 ft royal barge commissioned for the Diamond Jubilee and financed by Lord Sterling. Gloriana had taken pride of place as the lead vessel
Once the river pageant had concluded, the Royal Party toured the grounds meeting guests and exhibitors. Among the organisations exhibiting at the event were Red Bull Racing, Vodafone, BMW and Martin-Baker, a manufacturer of ejection seats and safety-related equipment for the aviation industry and based in Higher Denham. Several local museums were also represented, along with the Community Foundations for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Milton Keynes. Music throughout the event was performed by Buckinghamshire Music Service,
range of goodies and the freshly-prepared cool lemon juice was a great favourite
given the heat of the sun bearing down on the assembled masses. Suitably replete,
there was plenty of time to find a suitable vantage point in preparation for the arrival of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at 3.00pm.
Berkshire Maestros, Milton Keynes Music Service, The Royal Artillery Band and Rebecca Hoodless, the winner of a local talent competition. The end of the event was signalled by a flypast of two Apache helicopters at 4.25pm, closely followed by a rendition of the National Anthem prior to the departure of the Royal Party by car.
The Royal Party arrived on board the Alaska, the oldest working steamer on the River Thames. Alaska was built in Bourne End by W & J S Horsham in 1883. She is constructed of teak with oak frames and is 60 ft in length. I was amazed to discover the history of this beautiful vessel after returning home later in the day. It seems that at one
In closing, I would like to thank Tamsin Rawlings for the pleasure of her company at the Diamond Jubilee Garden Party and also for supplying the photographs used in this article. For a further selection of photographs from the afternoon, take a look at the MK Community Foundation website. The website also has a link should any readers wish to make a donation towards the Community Foundation Jubilee Appeal via Just Giving.
After the Royal Party had taken to their seats, the assembled guests were then treated to the spectacle of ‘Time and the Thames’, a river pageant in celebration of 1000 years of the history of this great river. This
We couldnʼt run this article last month as it arrived too late but hope that you all enjoy reading it as much as we have. [ed]
Valerie A. Malcolm
Yardley Hastings School of Dance Phonebox Magazine 35
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