Published at 13:27, Monday, 21 May 2012

THE Chairwoman of Furness Youth Council will be at the centre of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in London.

HEADING TO LONDON: Sarah Faulkner has been selected to represent the young people of Barrow at the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant

Seventeen-year-old Sarah Faulkner was selected to represent the young people of Barrow at the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. The Barrow Sixth Form College student will be part of one of the largest flotillas ever assembled on the Thames, when more than a thousand boats muster on the river on June 3 to mark Her Majesty’s 60 years on the throne.

The occasion is set to comprise one of the biggest collections of British boats since the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940.

All manner of vessels, from wooden launches to seaboats from the Royal Navy’s brand new state-of-the-art Type 45 destroyer HMS Diamond, will make their way up the Thames decked in patriotic-coloured streamers and union flags.

Sarah was chosen after Councillor Dave Pidduck, the leader of Barrow Borough Council, asked Furness Youth Council to nominate a member to represent the district alongside Barrow Mayor, Councillor Wendy Maddox, at the centre-piece event of the Jubilee.

The youth council held a vote and picked Sarah, of Undergreens Road, Barrow.

She said: “To be chosen to take part in this kind of event is a real honour and a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“The Jubilee is going to be a fantastic celebration and to be right there at the heart of it on the River Thames is going to be so exciting.”

Barrow Borough Council has been chosen to represent Cumbria’s six district councils at the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. Cumbria County Council’s chairman, Councillor Norman Clarkson, will also attend, alongside another young person selected by the county council.

Cllr Pidduck said: “The selection of a member of the youth council symbolises the future, encouraging young people to become involved in their communities.”

Windermere Lake Cruises is to donate its vessel The Queen of the Lake to take part in the event and will carry Sarah and Cllr Maddox. It will also ferry the Lord Lieutenant Sir James Cropper and Lady Cropper.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk