A DRAGON boat crew for breast cancer survivors was among those who braved the elements on the Thames for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee river pageant.

The Worcester Busters’ 16-strong crew endured torrential rain and miserable conditions on Sunday, but crew member Sue Shackleton described it as an “incredible experience”.

She said: “It was such an exciting thing to be part of. I think it was far better being part of it than watching on the television.”

Fellow crew member Deborah Shields added: “The Busters had a great day out pageanting on the Thames and we are feeling just a tiny bit proud of ourselves.”

The self-styled floating support group formed part of the ‘man-powered’ section and were surrounded by more than 1,000 vessels large and small in what was one of the largest flotillas to assemble on the river.

During the seven-mile route they passed many of the capital’s most notable landmarks, including HMS Belfast, and passing under the open Tower Bridge.

The group were also named-checked during the BBC’s live coverage of the event.

Members of Pershore Phoenix Dragon Boat Club also paddled their way in the pageant in their boat Champion.

At the launch in Putney, London Mayor Boris Johnson was interviewed in the vessel by Sky News presenter Kay Burley.

And it was not to be their only celebrity encounter – the team clashed blades with TV personality Ben Fogle and also came within close reach of Pippa Middleton, Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent.

Sonya Wilkinson, of Pershore Phoenix, said: “This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and the team feels honoured and very privileged to have been part of it.”

Despite a troubled start, Evesham councillors Andy and Wendy Dyke arrived in time for the event on board their narrowboat, Lord Toulouse.

The couple were marooned in Tewkesbury just days into their journey but navigated 220 miles of waterways from Evesham to London to arrive on Friday.

And a Pershore retained firefighter said it was “fantastic” to be part of the historic pageant.

Watch Commander Graham McKechnie was only metres away from the Queen when he passed her in Ziare – a motorised 1933 wooden yacht used by the military – to mark her 60 years on the throne.

It was the first time the boat had been on the water since it was refurbished in Falmouth and had only been launched five days previously.

Mr McKechnie was asked to join skipper and close friend Graham Bould and his wife Becky, who own the boat, after they were chosen to take part.

“It was absolutely awesome to see so many boats past and seeing the people,” he said. “There were thousands upon thousands of people.

“We were about 10 metres from the Queen. You could see she was pleased with it.

“I think she would have been so amazed by it all. It’s an acknowledgement to her of great respect.”

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