Nautical Charity on Parade to Celebrate Queen’s Jubilee

As part of Newcastle’s celebrations of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, visitors to the Quayside area will have a unique opportunity to view the iconic bridges from water level and learn more about one of the region’s nautical charities.

NE1’s Newcastle City Marina and The Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS) are working together to provide a day of free river rides, music, and an evening parade of sail.

Activities planned at the Quayside on Saturday June 4th include the Maritime Volunteer Service’s Platinum Jubilee Parade of Sail at 5pm and before that from 11am until 4pm, the MVS will be providing free, short river tours of the Quayside on their rigid hulled inflatable boat “Northumberland Freemason” to see the various vessels berthed on the Marina dressed in their Jubilee bunting. These trips will be on a first come first served basis. There will also be a chance to talk to the volunteers and visit their 29ft patrol vessel “Melita.” Live music will also be on hand to add to the ambience.

Jen Mitchelson, Head of Unit of MVS Northumbria said:” We are very proud of our nautical heritage and our Queen who celebrates 70 years on the throne, so we thought it fitting to show the people of Newcastle their city from a different viewpoint as well as letting everyone know what we do as volunteers on the Tyne.

“This is a very special time that reflects the essential spirit of the people of the United Kingdom, including pride in our Royal Family, history, a tireless volunteering ethos and as an island nation, the practice of men and women going down to the sea in ships.

“Within the MVS we have all these landmark qualities amongst our members and a huge amount of knowledge, skills, and expertise to share for the benefit of the community. Since our formation almost three decades ago we have grown and developed into a well-respected charity with a focus on nautical training and community service.”

Indeed, in this special year of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, the MVS will join in the country’s celebrations and leave its own permanent annual reminder of the work it does to foster this country’s love of its nautical past, present, and future.

To honour Her Majesty the Queen on June 4th this year and thereafter on the first Saturday in June annually, there will be a National Maritime Volunteer Service Day. The events in partnership with Newcastle City Marina will be one of the charity’s national flagship events and will highlight both the work of the charity and the facilities and fantastic location of the marina.

Tariq Albassam, Director of Operations at NE1 who own and operate the Newcastle City Marina added, “The MVS are regular visitors to the marina, and we welcome the fact that they have chosen to work with us to highlight their new National Day as well as celebrating the Jubilee. We have a fantastic marina for visiting vessels from all over the world right in the heart of our wonderful city and we want to share it with as many people as possible during this special day.”

Small vessels wishing to take part in the parade of sail can contact Volunteer Officer Keith Newman on 07814 397951