Majority made the Jubilee trip

THE majority of the narrowboats destined to take part in the Queen's Jubilee Pageant made the trip, Evelyn McCann of Thames Link Marine Ltd tells us.

There is some confusion of how many narrowboats took part, with the announcement made on the day that there were around 40, but  from reports the crews enjoyed the event.

Broken down

However one arriving on the Thames didn't make it, having broken down, but luckily Thames Link Marine, supporting the narrowboats were on hand to tow Madam to shore, with Evelyn remarking:

"Our job was to support the narrowboats—and the majority made the trip. Our thoughts go out to the Madam, who broke down just before Putney so we towed them to Putney Pier, and so subsequently they missed the Pageant.   It was a great day—and all of us at Thames Link Marine Ltd thought the narrowboats did a marvellous job."

Very few glimpses

Though the many thousands of spectators obviously enjoyed seeing all the boats going down the river, television viewers were disappointed at the BBC's coverage.  for whilst those boats being rowed were shown for most of the first hour, and such as those representing the Commonwealth and trip boats had also had good coverage there were very few glimpses of the narrowboats, though President was seen a couple of times.

Celebrity-driven drivel

It seems those with Sky had less of the BBC endless interviews but more of the boats, including the narrowboats. MP Rob Wilson dismissed the BBC coverage as 'low grade, celebrity-driven drivel', whilst others stated the show's presenters should have 'shut up' and shown the boats!

Back to the boats, at least those coming back up the Grand Union Canal should have good passage, with all the restrictions now lifted.