Barnet council helps disabled rowers on the Thames
Release date: 15/02/2003

A very unusual entry into the New Years Day Parade has been made by the London Borough of Barnet. Not known for its proximity to the Thames, Barnet has decided to acknowledge the importance of the river and has entered the newly built Royal Shallop “Jubilant”. She is a replica of the graceful 18th Century Navy Commissioners’ rowing barge on display in Somerset House.

The Thames Traditional Rowing Association, which formed the Jubilant Trust to build the “Jubilant” in honour of the Queen’s Jubilee, is delighted to have the support of Barnet and has made arrangements for the boat builder Mark Edwards of Richmond to find a suitable trailer on which to tow the “Jubilant”.

The Queen’s Bargemaster, Bob Crouch who accompanies Her Majesty whenever she goes out on the River Thames said, “ The Royal Barge or Shallop as she is properly called has eight oars and is 45 feet long.

Her Majesty was interested in our plans and made a special visit to our display at the Bushy Park Jubilee “Picnic in the Park”, to see the model during one of her Jubilee Year visits to west London.
It was the Queen who asked that the Jubilant should be available for disadvantaged and disabled rowers to use. We were also thankful to the Duke of York for agreeing to name her.”

Maldwin Drummond the Chairman of the Thames Traditional Rowing Association said, “We are delighted to have the Shallop in the New Years Day Parade and thank Barnet Council for supporting our Charity by entering the boat. As a non-riparian borough we hope they will be able to take advantage of the Jubilant and recommend to us people wishing to take up rowing.

A programme of assessment and training sessions for disadvantaged and disabled people will commence in the spring. Eventually we expect to be able to train crews of mixed abilities to be proficient enough to row in Regattas and Ceremonial Events on the Thames.”