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Local organiser Louis Jankel writes:-
A cynic or anarchist might consider that the government 'got
at' a Higher Authority. Saturday dawned abysmal. Those travelling any distance
were further discourage when at 10am, red boards went out which discourages
boaters from boating. Experienced boaters anticipated the conditions and many
regretfully cancelled plans to attend not wishing to be 'trapped' on the river
until waters subsided.
However at 2.15pm David and Sheila Suchet arrived at the
arranged mooring, in central Kingston, to be greeted by dozens of enthusiastic
demonstrators who had been practising for 20 minutes jeering at a local press
photographer who seemed delighted. Eventually local and boating national press
had had their fill and allowed the Suchets in the company of Will Chapman and
the indomitable Michael Shefras to move off only 15 minutes late.
At 3.00pm a convoy of 34 boats ranging from a pair of
canoes, stoutly padded by Kevin East and David Moss, up to Yarmouth Belle from
Turks Passenger fleet. The Two Dutch barges along with Yarmouth Belle bedecked
with the banners contrasted with the myriad of smaller craft filling up the
river as they struggled up against the flow towards Hampton Court. By then the
perfect sunny afternoon arrived and the Thames looked quite beautiful. There is
something very special about such perfect autumn weather on this river in
flood. The volume of water and the speed at which it moves is very impressive
and the opportunity we had to see that framed by the exquisite autumnal colours
of the towpath trees made the cause for which we were gathered all the more
obviously important. |
