Posted on Wednesday 22nd February 2012
‘President‘, one of the world’s only surviving steam powered narrow boat and part built in Staffordshire, will represent the county in the 1,000-boat flotilla on the Thames as part of the Diamond Jubilee Pageant on 3 June 2012.
This historic vessel will shortly be making the 336 mile journey to London as it literally flies the Staffordshire flag. The journey is being funded exclusively by sponsorship from major Staffordshire businesses including JCB, Michelin, Wedgwood and St. Modwen.
The 71ft 'President' owned by the Black Country Living Museum will be expertly crewed by volunteers from the ‘Friends of President‘ who maintain and operate the boat on the Museum’s behalf. Young people from Staffordshire will also be given the opportunity to join the crew for a few days.
The journey to London is expected to take around three weeks, travelling at a majestic three miles per hour and arriving in London at the end of May. On route will be several canalside stops, including three in Staffordshire. Staffordshire County Pat Corfield, Cabinet Member for Culture, Communities and Customers said:
“It is a thrill and an honour for Staffordshire to be able to play such a significant part in the national celebrations. It will be a central event, broadcast live across the world and I am delighted that Staffordshire will be so well represented by such fine county heritage at such a prestigious event.
“Before leaving Staffordshire President will make three canalside stops in the county at Etruria on 20 April, Stone on 21 April and Fradley on 22 April, where residents can come along and see her in all her glory.“She will then make further stops as she steams on towards the capital, and anyone can follow her journey, along with stories, photos and blogs from the crew online.”
‘President’ will eventually join The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on 3 June as part of a seven-mile long procession of Dunkirk little ships, historic vessels, steam boats and tugs. At its centre will be a royal barge, decorated in red and gold, carrying HM the Queen Elizabeth II and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.
Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Sir James Hawley said: “The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant will be a day long remembered in the country’s history. Staffordshire has chosen to use the occasion to highlight the importance of canals to our industrial development and the products for which the county is famous.
“There are more miles of canal in this county than in any other and so it will be very fitting that Staffordshire will be represented by a boat that symbolises this.”
David J Eveleigh, Director of Collections, Learning & Research at Black Country Living Museum said: “Black Country Living Museum is delighted that ‘President’, one of our most important and best-loved boats, has secured a place representing the county of Staffordshire in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. As the country’s only restored operational steam narrow boat,and part of the National Historic Fleet, her journey from Staffordshire to London, as well as the Pageant itself, will allow many more people to view this important part of the region’s industrial past.”
JCB Worldwide Marketing Director Matt McClurg said: “JCB is delighted to be a Principal Sponsor of the Diamond Jubilee Pageant. Our company’s Staffordshire roots go back more than 200 years to a time when the canal network would have played a pivotal role in the transport of goods and raw materials in the county. So, the Pageant is a great way of celebrating Staffordshire’s illustrious past as well as an excellent way of showcasing to the world what great engineering can achieve in the present.”
Chief Financial Officer, Anthony Jones from Wedgwood said: “Wedgwood is proud to be supporting this exciting initiative which brings together so many strands of our local community and manufacturing heritage. This journey represents the excellence and the spirit of Staffordshire and will showcase the skills and expertise of our Staffordshire workforce to a national and international audience.”
Sean Parry, Michelin Stoke Factory Manager, said:“As a major employer in Staffordshire, Michelin is proud to be involved in this project which will help celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. As a company that has been involved in manufacturing in the region since 1927 we feel that it is important that the achievements of the area are showcased to the rest of the world. The steam-powered narrow boat that is being restored for the Thames Diamond Pageant is a perfect example of the engineering heritage and skills that the region is famous for.”
Mike Herbert, North Staffordshire Regional Director for St. Modwen, said: “St. Modwen is very pleased to be one of the four key companies supporting Staffordshire’s entry in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant. St. Modwen originated in Staffordshire over 40 years ago and is now the UK’s leading regeneration specialist. It is at the forefront of the delivery of property and development solutions for new businesses in the county.
“Along with the President’s other high profile sponsors, we will use our role in the Pageant to promote Staffordshire’s rich heritage and as a great place to do business. With an excellent location on the motorway, road and rail networks, the county is very accessible and is within one hour of four of the country’s major airports."