police world Edition 1 2013

Article

Shipshape and Bristol Fashion

Phil Foster was overcome with delight as he realised that his home would be smack bang in the middle of the largest waterborne event on the

Thames for 350 years. Phil recalls the story as he witnessed the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant.

L ast summer, over 1,000 vessels weather forecast for the day wasn’t good but we had decided that the best view of the Pageant would be with the wheelhouse windows, of Variatie, our retirement houseboat, folded down. The food was ready and the drinks chilled. Bunting and signal flags were hoisted and properly weighted. We had bells and whistles and my wife Jude had enough grin for both of us - as well as a set of union flag deely-boppers! I bought Variatie in late 2006 with a view to moving her into the heart of London. As my favourite city in the world, as well as my workplace, the aim was to see out my time to retirement and then enjoy the close proximity of such a vibrant city. Having got the essential work done, we finally brought Variatie to the Upper Pool of the Thames in August 2010, two weeks after retirement and totally unaware of the events planned for the Diamond Jubilee. So what a delight when the Thames Pageant was announced and it was to take place in my back yard. On the big day, the training ship Royalist, which was part of the Avenue of Sail, was just off our aft end (toward the rear) and the crew were going through their drills and being instructed on proper naval cheering to the call of “hip, pip- pip”. All the trainees on board had mastered the requisite circular motion of their headgear whilst cheering. My neighbours, either side, were erecting awnings to protect their guests from the participated in a flotilla on the Thames from Battersea to Tower Bridge. The

elements. Each of the athwart (at right angles) moored vessels had flags and bunting aplenty. The garden barges, Arts Ark and inshore vessels were similarly resplendent and showing a cheery face despite the dull skies and threat of rain. Every balcony and window overlooking the Upper Pool was either adorned with union flags or bunting and, like all

the walkways and riverside spaces, were crammed with people. The air itself was becoming electric with the murmur of conversation. The noise grew with the raised voices of imbibing spectators, the occasional testing of horns and bells and whistles that received replies from several others. Steve Connor, Immediate Past President, and his family were among other guests who joined us aboard. Our last guest arrived just before the Bell Barge arrived, announcing the arrival of the flotilla in the Pool and the commencement of the Pageant. By chance I’d been fortunate to have seen the Bell Barge a week before, and in somewhat better weather. What an amazing idea to have a barge with a constantly peeling set of bells aboard it as the herald of the arrival of such a varied flotilla. This wonderful sound announced not only the arrival of the Pageant in the Upper Pool but also

Phil and Jude

at a very stately pace, came Glorianna - a hand- built, 88-foot rowbarge and delightful reconstruction of a State barge. She was all resplendent in gold, looking every inch like a waterborne state coach. The rain was now with us in earnest. Although not heavy, it was constant. “Persisting it down” one might say. But Jude and our guests were out on the aft deck cheering and hurrah-ing the efforts of everyone involved. I had seen the Spirit of Chartwell on several occasions over the previous two years but today she had been given the most prestigious role of bearing HM Queen Elizabeth II from Chelsea downstream to us in the Upper Pool. The Spirit of Chartwell is an elegant, low-level vessel with an aura of opulence and past-times luxury. For today, and her most auspicious of roles, she had been re-fitted and re-styled to ensure she was fit for a Queen. To mark her royal role for the day, the bascules of Tower Bridge were raised in acknowledgement.

the start of the rain. Immediately behind the floating bells, and

The training ship Royalist

A view towards Tower Bridge

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Police World Vol 58 No.1 2013