Photograph by Eddie Bohnert
Robert Biddle,
Group Finance Director, Lloyd's Register
Don Merritt,
Governor, Rotary International
Maldwin Drummond OBE,
Chairman, The Jubilant Trust
Bob Crouch,
HMQ Bargemaster
Mark Edwards,
Traditional Boat Builder
Sir Clive Martin,
President, The Jubilant Trust

Rotarians wheel in a pledge to help Golden Event on Thames
Release date: 27/04/2002

An appeal for funds, to help build a Royal Barge for the Golden Jubilee Celebrations on the Thames in September, has been answered by the Friern Barnet & Whetstone Rotary Club.

Mark Edwards, a traditional boat builder whose yard is next to Richmond Bridge, has been commissioned by the Thames Traditional Rowing Association to build a Royal Shallop in honour of the Queen's Jubilee and the Rotarians have volunteered to help raise funds for the new craft. The Shallop is to be named "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 will have eight oars and be 45 feet long. Her Majesty is aware of the plans for the boat and asked that it should be available for disadvantaged and disabled rowers to use."

Maldwin Drummond the Chairman of the Thames Traditional Rowing Association said, "We are delighted to have the Rotary Club involved with our project. They are Internationally renowned for charitable activities and the Friern Barnet & Whetstone Rotarians are in at the start of this exciting project for the Thames rowing community and we are grateful to them for their assistance."

A fund raising dinner for the "Jubilant" took place onboard the pleasure boat Silver Sturgeon, courtesy of Woods River Cruises and with wine for the dinner kindly donated by Western Wines Ltd specialists in Kumala brand South African Wines, all helping to oil the Rotary Wheel.
Rotary London District 1130 Governor Don Merritt, a Friern Barnet Club member was present and witnessed the signing of the contract with the boat builder Mark Edwards. The Shallop will be launched at a special event on 14 September.