Getting ready for a fantastic Jubilee weekend
The party atmosphere for the Jubilee is building and communities all over Gloucestershire are getting ready to enjoy the long bank holiday weekend.
And Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service is playing its part in the festivities.
The Diamond Jubilee Pageant takes place on the River Thames in London on Sunday 3rd June and will include three vessels from Gloucestershire; Steam Yacht 'Sabrina', 'Old Balliol' a replica of the craft used in the first ever boat race in 1829 and The 'Dave Moore', a Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) lifeboat crewed jointly with Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service.
Elspeth Hardie, Secretary of SARA, said: "Severn Area Rescue Association is extremely proud and honoured to be involved in the Jubilee Thames Pageant with our newest lifeboat SARA 2 'Dave Moore', as we end our third decade as a rescue organisation we have enjoyed building the strong working links with Gloucestershire Fire and rescue and thank them for this opportunity. As an independent inshore lifeboat and mountain rescue team, we look forward to representing all those who volunteer around the country and especially those in Gloucestershire."
Chief Fire Officer, Jon Hall, said: "The effectiveness of our emergency services relies on close working with all responders. SARA is an extremely professional body and we are delighted to support them on this national stage as we celebrate the Diamond Jubilee."
As part of the celebrations, Diamond Jubilee Beacons are being lit up and down the country on Monday 4th June and nearly 100 are taking place in Gloucestershire. All organisers of beacons have worked with Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service to ensure that those lighting and watching them can do so safely.
All over the weekend local groups, organisations and communities will be holding special events including BBQs, street parties and The Big Jubilee Lunch. The county council has received over 170 requests for temporary road closures and organisers have been given advice so that everyone can have fun safely.
Cllr Will Windsor-Clive, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: "This has been a very busy time for the fire service, including their involvement in the planning for last week's Olympic Torch Relay. Their advice and guidance is essential to ensure that residents and visitors can enjoy the many events in safety."
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ENDS
Notes to Editors
The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant will take place on the Thames and consist of up to 1,000 boats assembled from across the UK, the Commonwealth and around the world. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will travel in the Royal Barge which will form the centrepiece of the flotilla.
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Beacons are a network of 2,012 Beacons will be lit by communities and individuals throughout the United Kingdom, as well as the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Commonwealth. The Queen will light the National Beacon.
Contact: George Bryant, Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service
Issued by Gloucestershire County Council Media Team. Telephone: 01452 425093
You can follow Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service on www.facebook.com/glosfire or www.twitter.com/glosfire You can also follow our Chief Fire Officer on www.twitter.com/glosfirechief
31st May 2012