At the 2009 Annual General Meeting In his welcome to the 8th Annual General Meeting of the Jubilant Trust. The Chairman recalled the course the charity had taken since the year of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
"When we were started out on this interesting and rewarding journey in 2002 we had very little idea as to how it would turn out. The purpose of the Trust was to enable disadvantaged people and those with disabilities or otherwise unlikely to be able to learn to row, to enjoy the Thames in a traditional style craft. We also wanted to foster the idea of traditional rowing, in other words without sliding seats and in fine racing boats. Although we had some encouraging successes in the first year or two, helping a stroke victim, and a lady with an acute nervous disposition and an enthusiastic adult class attending the local college Learning Support Unit, the majority of outings were with adults on Wednesday evenings who were attracted by the Shallop itself. I can’t say how may of them were in any way disadvantaged but it served a purpose, that of promoting the Trust.
Since then the full weight of the networking capabilities of the 14th Richmond Viking Sea Scouts has been thrown behind us and together with their two cutters a great many people, young and old, disabled and able bodied have joined us afloat. A Day Centre in Acton has become a regular client and the Parkshott Adult Education College has asked to bring a class involved with improving their quality of life out with us this year for the first time.
It hasn’t been all worthy work as such. We have had to earn money for her upkeep and in conjunction with occasional fund raising efforts by the Trustees we have taken commercial work.
You may recall HMS Cornwall a few years ago paid to have their crew row Jubilant in the Upper Pool of London for the “Ceremony of the Dues”. We have also hired her out for Birthdays, Weddings and a Funeral.
When the BBC filmed Handel’s Water Music her oars were used as “body doubles”, as the technical phrase is, for the non existent oars of the Balliol College barge on which the musicians played whilst being towed by Ken Dwan’s tug from Westminster to Chelsea. And you may recall her pivotal role in the Emirates Thames Nelson Flotilla.
The Thames Landscape Strategy and Arcadia have also used the Shallop in conjunction with educational programmes they have run for young people.
On the back cover of the 2008 Thames Landscape Strategy Annual Review is a fine picture of Jubilant in festive mode. The Trust has repaid in some small measure the assistance of the Co-ordinator, Jason Debney for all his efforts in promoting the Trust by providing her as his wedding transport from St Anne’s church on Kew Green up to Richmond. This was a complete surprise to him and his lovely bride Alison.
It was reported last year that the Secretary of the Trust and the then Chairman of the Great River Race visited the Youth Office of Hampshire County Council to promote the self build Jolly Boat scheme for the socially disadvantaged young people in their care. Outings in Jubilant were offered them to motivate them while the project got under way. This has not as yet been taken up despite encouragement from the County Council.
The two groups in the south of the county, we were told, were fund raising to get the kits to build in time for the 2008 race, but failed to get sufficient funds together, however one group has reappeared during the winter. As they were more successful in getting people than money they are considering entering a sixteen paddle Dragon Boat in the Race, which makes the Jolly Boat an unlikely project for them this year. It is some comfort to know the Trust helped as a catalyst in this.
The Grey Court School and the Ham Youth Club, had a small grant from the Trust to help them build a Jolly Boat last summer and in their first Great River Race won the Richie Richardson Trophy for “effort by a junior crew”. They were novice under 14 year olds rowing but with an experienced cox. They finished in 3 hours 18 minutes and 21 seconds, well up in the overall finishing position at 224 out of 293 a great performance by such a young crew, and in their own home built boat.
The Board congratulates the Richmond Environment Trust on clearing the final hurdle in their plan for the “River Centre” at Twickenham. The development will have a place for Jubilant to be on display during the winter.
The Board thanks all those who have supported the Trust either by voluntary effort or donations during the past year.
In conclusion I am delighted that Vic Griffiths who has been such a tower of strength, keeping the diary and it must be said , providing the majority of the work for Jubilant, has agreed to put himself forward to join the board of trustees“.