Ski Trip 2013
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With over three hours to kill before the Pageant started, the CCF cadets provided a uniformed presence on the bridge and our duty was to give out Jubilee leaflets and be a source of Pageant information for the public. Several other cadets and I had the particular job of selling official Jubilee Programmes. I was teamed with Lance Corporal Moor and we battled the embankment testing our selling skills. Surprisingly, we sold over 150 copies in a short time and met many spectators who were eager to see the Queen lead the flotilla down the Thames.
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After several hours of selling, we retreated to the minibuses which were hidden in a backstreet near the bridge. We swiftly scoffed down our pack lunches and made our way back to our posts on Battersea Bridge. As being part of a youth organisation, our CCF were given special access to the edges of the bridge which were cordoned off from the public.
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With orange wristbands, we were VIPs for the day, with the best view in London. Battersea was the first bridge that the Queen would pass under, so ignoring the icy wind, we waited eagerly for her Majesty's arrival. At precisely ten past three, the embankment bells rang and the procession had begun. The Queen lead the flotilla on her primary vessel, the Royal Britannia tender. With security following her closely behind, her Highness waved to the cheering crowds with the Duke of Edinburgh standing to her right. She smiled and seemed delighted despite the disappointing weather, but thankfully the rain held off as she made her way to 'The Spirit of Chartwell', the barge which she and the rest of the Royals would watch the Pageant from. Standing from Battersea Bridge we could just about see the Royal barge so we watched with keen eyes as she made her transfer.
Once the Queen had passed, we had the rest of the Pageant to look forward to. To begin with, smaller vessels rowed their way down the Thames. Amongst the array of manpowered boats, I was shocked to see Ben Fogle, effortlessly rowing down the river! I smiled, waved and cheered at every boat until my voice became hoarse. Over the course of an hour or two, we had barely seen half of the thousand boats that were taking part in the flotilla. We had seen an armada of skiffs and sailboats, rowboats, paddle steamers, kayaks, gondolas and even a replica Viking longboat! Eventually the rain hit us hard and we departed Battersea Bridge as the Pageant continued. We all enjoyed our day immensely and knew we had made history. Sixty years on the Throne is an incredible achievement. Happy Jubilee your Majesty! Looking forward to the next one. Lance Corporal Bean
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