Shropshire boats set off to join jubilee flotilla
Two Shropshire boats set off this Sunday on their 237 mile journey to London to take part in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee River Pageant on 3 June.
The disabled-friendly boats owned by the Lyneal Trust will be crewed by regular customers of the charity and by wounded and injured military personnel based at Copthorne Barracks, Shrewsbury.
The boats are to be a given a grand send-off from the banks of the Llangollen canal at Lyneal Wharf, where the Lyneal Trust provides holidays and canal boat trips for people with disabilities and their families.
Chris Symes, Chair of the Trust, said: “We are delighted to be representing Shropshire and to be giving our customers the opportunity to take our boats on this historic journey to London.”
The crews will navigate 207 locks along the way with the military servicemen also undertaking challenge pursuits, including canoeing and mountain biking, as part of their recuperation programme. “The difficulty of canoeing and portaging most of the 207 locks should not be underestimated,” commented Lt Col. Guy Chambers who has been working alongside the Lyneal Trust volunteers for over a year to bring the plans to fruition.
The Shropshire Lad and Lass will take over three weeks to reach London before joining the 1000-strong flotilla that will accompany the Royal barge, the Spirit of Chartwell, down the Thames on 3 June. The opening ceremony of London’s Olympic Games will be just six weeks away and the millions of spectators that crowd the riverbanks will give a rousing reception to the many boats that have travelled from far and wide to be there.
Chris Symes explained: “Our boats will be decorated with the Shropshire flag, so give us a wave if you see us along the route or are lucky enough to be in London on the day.” Details of the route and further information about the pageant and the work of the Lyneal Trust can be found at www.lynealtrust.org. Follow the journey on Twitter: @LynealTrust . Facebook: search for Lyneal Trust.
