Celebration of Time Report
Release date: 14th September 2002

At Isleworth in the Borough of Hounslow on 14 September the “Jubilant”, a replica 18th Century oared barge otherwise known as a shallop was named by HRH The Duke of York in a simple ceremony attended by a number of dignitaries.

This included the Mayor of Hounslow Cllr John Connelly, the President of the Jubilant Trust Sir Clive Martin, Lord and Lady Caroline Gilmour, David Moorhouse Chairman of Lloyd’s Register of Shipping, Simon Sherrard the Chairman of the Port of London Authority, Tony De St Dalmas President Rotary International Great Britain and Ireland, Dr Bob McGuiness MD of the National Physical Laboratory, Robert Dean Vice Commodore of the Royal Thames Yacht Club and John Allan Master of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen.

The Duke named the Jubilant from the bow using a silver goblet of Champagne leant by the Fishmongers' Company especially for the occasion. The goblet was handed to the Duke by Tom Clarke from the bow seat of the shallop; he is the first disabled rower to try out the Jubilant and rowed her all the way to Greenwich with the crew of nine, made up otherwise of Royal Watermen in their scarlet uniforms. At the helm was The Queen’s bargemaster Bob Crouch.

On the slipway escorting the Duke of York were eight Royal Watermen lead by Queen’s bargemaster Alan Woods.

The Jubilant was blessed by the Reverend John Morgan of All saints Church Isleworth which overlooks the slipway and then a troupe of actors in 18th century costumes, under the direction of Michael Vivian, began the pageant that told the story of “Time”. This was delivered in three episodes, the first at Isleworth, the second part Greenwich Cutty Sark Gardens, where the flotilla landed and finally at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park.

Central to the pageant was King George III played by satirist Alan Coren with actress Emma Driscoll as his Queen and an atomic or Caesium clock from the National Physical Laboratory that the Jubilant was to carry to Greenwich where it was presented as a gift to the Royal Observatory in the final act of the Pageant.

A fleet of boats accompanied the “Jubilant” all the way to Greenwich including a dozen Dunkirk Little Ships under the control of John Tough on board the “Thamesa”.
The only other Shallop on the Thames, the Watermen’s Company “Lady Mayoress” carried the Master and Clerk of the Company and twelve Thames Watermen’s Cutters with amongst others the Mayor of Wandsworth, the senior Warden of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners, an Elder Brother of Trinity House, immediate past Master of the Founders Company and a past Master of the Launderers’ Company.

On the Committee boat “Silver Dolphin” was the Master of the Mercers’ Company, the Chairman of the Thames Traditional Rowing Association, Chairman of the Great River Race and a cheerful gathering of supporters of the “Jubilant”.

At the Thames Festival a commentary on the craft taking part was given from the bank by Roger Mutton, the Honorary Secretary of the Jubilant Trust and then the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers arrived on the scene in a fast launch escorted by the RNLI. The Master of the Clockmakers challenged the bargemaster on the Jubilant as to his intentions. Was he proposing to sell the Caesium Clock that the Jubilant was carrying in the City? When he confirmed he was not but that clock was outward bound for Greenwich the shallop was allowed to proceed.

At the Pool of London the Thames Sailing Barge “Lady Daphne” took up the lead and escorted the flotilla through Tower Bridge, which was raised in salute.

The Steam Tug ”Port Wey”, Glasgow Puffer “Vic 56”, and Dutch barges “Amythyst Atholl”, “Richmond Venturer” and “Zomerdroom”, Londinium I and Port Health Londinium III, “Bonaventure of Chelsea” and PLA tug “Impulse” completed the procession.

The Port of London Launches, Chelsea, Richmond, Ravensbourn and Westbourn completed the event by escorting in the van and to the stern of each section. The safety boats were from the Loughton diving club and PLA Dory “Fleet” carried the event organiser as “sheep dog”, keeping the rowers in touch with the motor craft and filming the event.

At Greenwich King George and the clock were welcomed by the Mayor, Cllr Don Austen. Then in three horse drawn carriages, two Mayoral cars, belonging to Greenwich and Wandsworth, with a boys Brigade band leading the way, the rowers, players and dignitaries were carried or walked in procession to the Observatory.

There the Caesium clock was presented to Dr Jonathon Betts, Curator of Horology by Dr John Laverty Head of Time at the NPL and the MD of the NPL Dr Bob McGuiness, assisted by George III.

Then all were invited to join the pic-nic organised by the Rotary Club and sponsored by Harry Mason’s Sandwiches Ltd and the Trafalgar Tavern which started with live music on the bandstand.

The trustees of the Jubilant Trust and committee members of the Thames Traditional Rowing Association would like to thank most sincerely all those sponsors, supporters and helpers on the day who made the event possible.

In particular we wish to thank The Duke of York for generously giving up a precious Saturday morning to join us at Isleworth to name the “Jubilant”.

The next task is to make the best use of the craft and we look forward to hearing from those disadvantaged and disabled clubs and societies who can help put us in touch with those wanting to learn or improve their rowing skills.

Finally, contributions to the Jubilant for her upkeep and maintenance and the funding of the boathouse can be made to:
The Treasurer, Jubilant Trust, C/o Ridgewood Bush Lane
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We look forward to hearing from you