police world Edition 1 2013

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With each passing flotilla the vessel sizes increased, their carrying capability increased, but their speed was kept at a respectable “dead slow”. We were without our usual movement on the Upper Pool and certainly not missing it. But all good things come to an end and they had certainly saved the best until last. Following a rousing rendition of God Save The Queen from the bedraggled choir on Symphony, accompanied by the surrounding crowds, fireworks signalled the closure of Tower Bridge’s bascules and the start of about 90 seconds of noise upon whatever was to hand to commemorate the end of an amazing Pageant, the likes of which will not be seen again by anyone alive today. Thankfully the last of my guests arrived about 30 minutes before the national anthem and the end of the Pageant and were thus able to join us with an appropriate celebratory bottle of champagne.

We’d had rain pouring into the wheelhouse and Jude, who had stood outside through the whole event, was soaked to the skin. The moisture on my face was more through pride than the rain. Throughout all of this, under an awning on a boat across the river, our 86-year-old Queen had stood and waved, smiled, enjoyed and glowed with amazement and pride. Over the years I have seen national pride at a variety of events but none equalled what we witnessed that day. Whether this pride was buoyed up by the event itself, the natural bowl shape of the arena we were in, or the huge size of the crowds - I don’t know for sure. What I do know is that all these people had turned out to cheer their monarch, show their pride in her reign and celebrate the stability brought to our nation by her continued rule. “Long live the Queen.”

And so they came, in what seemed like a never- ending river of craft; craft of all shapes and sizes, and progressively getting bigger. The barrage of cadets, each open boat bearing the flag of a Commonwealth nation, and all trying to maintain their position in the order of procession. They all looked to have made the maximum of effort with their appearance, an effort that was being thwarted by the weather. Of those who were closest, a look and air of pride was clearly visible on their faces and in their postures. The weather may be in charge of the day but they were in front of their Queen, their countrymen and the world and they would not be prevented or diverted from what was expected of each of them. The “Little Boats”, famous for their assistance in the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force and French army from the beaches of Dunkirk in June 1940, came next. Onboard each were the veterans of that campaign whose faces showed the same degree of pride that was evident on all the Pageant participants. A vessel carrying a band, orchestra or some form of musical entertainment preceded each flotilla and the massed crowd around us cheered each of these. The rain failed to affect their performances and “wet and bedraggled” means the same regardless of whether the performer is in full opera costume, military uniform or something a little closer fitting. Historical references abounded not just in the vessels and locations along the river route but also the music being played as Handel’s Water Music was amongst the chosen pieces. More than just the various flags of the individual nations represented the Commonwealth as vessels of significance and individuality took their place amongst the many others there.

The Spirit of Chartwell

Glorianna

Police World Vol 58 No.1 2013

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