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Leicester Rowing Club confirmed to take part in the Thames Diamond Jubilee PageantThe afternoon of Sunday 3rd June will see a thousand boats gather on the River Thames in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. It will be the largest flotilla in modern times on the river with rowing boats, working boats and pleasure vessels of all shapes and sizes beautifully dressed with streamers and Union Jacks, stretching for an estimated twelve and a half miles. It has proved extremely popular with three boats applying for every available place. The pageant organisers and representatives from the river community were involved in the selection process, which included considering safety, fitness-for-purpose and range of vessel type as well as exploring whether the vessel was of historical significance or had an interesting story to tell. At the end of 2011, organisers confirmed to applicants the lucky boats who will take part in this historic event. “Discovery”, a boat from Leicester Rowing Club, to be crewed by Julie Paillin, Nicola Cheesman, John Wilson, Malcolm Neal and Neil Martin, has been confirmed as one of those to be accepted. Needless to say the club and crew are thrilled at the prospect of taking part in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant.
Rob Fox, Captain of Leicester Rowing Club, said ’This is an ideal opportunity to highlight British Rowing’s commitment to expand the sport of rowing to all under the umbrella of the “Explore Rowing” programme. Leicester Rowing Club has worked hard over the past 18 months to become part of this programme and it’s really paying dividends for us, bringing us lots of new members and helping them to get started. The club is really thriving and having our boat and crew selected for the pageant is the icing on the cake and a real pat on the back for everyone involved. ’“Discovery” is a boat specially designed for British Rowing’s “Explore Rowing” scheme which aims to make rowing a sport available to anyone. It has most of the features of a racing boat but the hull has been designed for extra stability in the water, making it ideal for people who are learning to row. It is equipped for “sculling” (where each of the four rowers uses two oars), and is steered by a cox. It will be decorated for the pageant with special bunting produced for the occasion and for this purpose will have the unusual addition of two masts. The crew are all very experienced rowers, the cox is a qualified coach, the other two men are the oldest active rowers at the club, and the two women regularly compete in rowing events around the country.
Further information for journalists, including information about “Discovery” and Leicester Rowing Club, contact: Malcolm Neal 0116 2878713 or via our Contact Us page For information about the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant: Kate Levine, Partner, Pagefield 020 3327 4055/ 07740473641 Michelle Lavipour, Executive, Pagefield, 020 3327 4058, 07940 735 313 Journalists can find media information and downloadable photographs on the media centre pages at: www.thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org Information about the Explore Rowing scheme can be found on the British Rowing site http://www.explorerowing.org/ |
