The first barge to be built in the UK for a century was launched on the River Thames yesterday for a test run ahead of the Jubilee celebrations in June. The 88ft Royal Barge Gloriana has been commissioned to lead a river pageant that will take place on the 3rd June as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee festivities.
The barge has been painstakingly hand-built over the course of the last four years by a team of 60 craftsmen, and was set upon the water for the first time yesterday for a series of water trials ahead of the big day. The barge made its way to the river on the back of a truck, wending it’s way through the streets of London with a police escort.
Once on the water, the barge was put through its paces by an 18-strong crew of oarsmen to ensure that the Gloriana is up to the job of leading the royal flotilla. More than 1000 vessels are due to take part in the river pageant, including river cruisers and Dunkirk landing craft. The pageant will form a key part of the long Jubilee weekend and organisers expect more than a million spectators to flock to the riverside between Wandsworth to Tower Bridge to watch the procession.
Between the Jubilee celebrations and the Olympics, a seriously fun and exciting summer lies ahead and here at Party Domain we’re doing our bit to help the patriotic party fun by stocking up on loads of fabulous Union Jack Fancy Dress Accessories. We’ve got a brilliant selection of patriotic party products on offer, including Union Jack Glitter Toppers, Heart Shaped Great Britain Sunglasses, Union Jack Face Paints and Queen Masks to name just a few. So why not let us give you some great fancy dress ideas and inspiration for a fantastic summer of patriotic pride?
By Jennie Humes
Author