The Gloriana is a 94-foot-long British royal barge. Commissioned as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II for her Diamond Jubilee, the barge was the lead vessel in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. Since its glorious voyage in 2012, the Gloriana has been retained by Lord Sterling to promote better use of the Thames, providing opportunities for charities and young people to play their part in occasions and celebrations upon the Thames.
One such occasion was the recent Thames Boat Festival. Over the course of the three-day event thousands of people attended, flocking to Henley on Thames from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 July. The festival attracts boats of all shapes and sizes, and more than 180 boats took part in this year’s proceedings. The festival was founded 37 years ago, for like-minded individuals to celebrate a bygone era of boating, and features the largest display of traditional boats in Europe. Alongside a fleet of boats, including slipper launches, amphibious cars and Venetian gondolas, spectators enjoyed air displays from vintage and wartime aircrafts, including the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster. The Gloriana was amongst the boats making a special appearance at the festival.
Exciting in its own right, the spectacle of the Gloriana passing along the Thames past Phyllis Court and Leander Club, was made even more special with the fact that it was being rowed by rowers from Shiplake College! Year 12 pupil Christian Hjortland Marks organised rowers to take part, and it was certainly a sight to behold. Pupils from across the school took part, as well as some who had finished their careers at Shiplake College this academic year, and rowing coaches Mrs Sally Satch and Mr Hugh Mackworth-Praed. Please see photos of the event below.