The UK's LARGEST inland waterways publication

President to represent Staffordshire in Thames pageant

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:

 “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."