LONDON VAUXHALL DEALERS

Diamond Jubilee river pageant spectators have shrugged off the cold, damp and wet conditions that have shrouded London.

The gloomy weather is in contrast to the recent heatwave but the river banks in central London are already filling up with crowds.

Organisers remain upbeat despite rain and drizzle being forecast for most of the day, with Pageant Master Adrian Evans declaring preparations were in hand.

Mr Evans said: "There is some rain around, but it has not dampened any spirits.

"We in Britain are experts at not letting the weather spoil our fun. The London Philharmonic Orchestra will be playing Singing In The Rain as they travel down the river, and the crowd can sing along with them.

"We are all set to have one of the most spectacular pieces of river theatre that London, and the world, has ever seen. Excitement is building, and everything is ready."

Click here for 'Diamond Jubilee pageant LIVE: All the coverage of the 1,000 boat flotilla in honour of the Queen'

The water-borne extravaganza will be one of the highlights of the four-day Diamond Jubilee weekend with organisers hoping to recreate scenes not seen since the reign of Charles II.

With the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh onboard the lavishly decorated royal barge will be the Prince of Wales, the pageant's patron, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

Every conceivable vessel will be afloat on the Thames from kayaks, skiffs, Dunkirk little ships and dragon boats to tugs, barges, rowed shallops and passenger vessels.

At its head will be a floating belfry with each bell named after a senior member of the Royal Family.

People have been gathering along the seven-mile course of the river pageant since first thing, with a few hardy souls sleeping overnight to get a good spot.

Many of those were wrapped up against the cold weather but looking forward to the spectacle.

Karen Chen, 32 and David Ip, 31, from Streatham, south London, said the rain had not put them off coming to the river early to get a prime spot.

"We got here just after 7.30, it would have been earlier if we thought we would have more competition.

"The rain actually works to our advantage," Ms Chen said.

The pair have bagged a prime spot on a bench next to Battersea Bridge and said they were ready for the long-haul.

"We are wrapped up warmly and have waterproof sheets to shelter under. We have got a picnic of marmalade and cheese and pickle sandwiches and Mr Kipling cakes," Mr Ip added.

"Today is a spectacular event, nothing would have stopped us from coming to see the boats. We are so excited about all the variety. It will only happen once in our lifetime and we will be here until the very end," Ms Chen said.

Matt Dobson, senior meteorologist at MeteoGroup, said: "For the all important Jubilee Thames Pageant today, the skies will be mostly cloudy with occasional rain and drizzle. However, don't be surprised if the clouds do thin and break from time to time and a few welcome rays of sunshine may even break through.

"A chilly day in London with temperatures of 12C or 13C, potentially rising to 14C or 15C if it brightens up."

Dafydd Richards, 35, and Felicity Anderson, 30, from New Zealand, arrived at Tower Bridge almost six hours before the boats were due to pass by and said they were used to braving the elements.

Felicity, who now lives in Wimbledon, south-west London, said: "We wanted to make sure we had a good spot because it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"We've brought a very British picnic with scones and shortbread and we'll toast the Queen when she sails past with some Champagne."

Meanwhile, mother and daughter Christine Steele, 57, and Jemma, 29, said the prospect of bad weather had not stopped them travelling from Maidstone in Kent.

Huddled under blankets and umbrellas on a bench near Battersea Bridge, Mrs Steele said: "It's England, we are used to this. It would have been wonderful if it had been sunny like last Sunday but we have come prepared.

"We have got blankets, brollies, flags and bunting. We even got our glittery Union Jack hats and wigs and the Champagne is on ice.

"You name it, we've got it in our picnic.

Mrs Steele's husband Graham, also 57, said he had sent a friend off to try to buy a gazebo for them to shelter under.

"If we get one we will make a lot of new friends, especially ones in uniform," he said.

Mrs Steele added: "This is a once in a lifetime experience and it is good for the country to celebrate together, we would not have missed it."

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