Cheers as Jubilee challenge continues
The town crier and pupils helped give a noisy send off from Chard this morning
Last updated 9th May 2022
Pupils at Chard's Holyrood Academy today joined or cheered off Somerset’s Lord Lieutenant Annie Maw who's helping celebrate the upcoming jubilee.
Ms Maw broke her back in a horse riding accident 20 years ago resulting in paraplegia but says 'she won’t be letting life in a wheelchair get in the way' of her tribute to The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Annie has begun seven days of journeys – each ten miles long – across Somerset, accompanied by young people taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
It started last month from Steart Marshes and for the second leg - in the Chard and Ilminster area - the Lord Lieutenant is once again accompanied by students taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh.
Annie said: “My ambition is to celebrate the Queen’s 70 glorious years as our monarch and to dedicate this as a Somerset tribute to her on her Platinum Jubilee.
“I am very excited to be doing this with young people, and it seems right that they should be those participating in the scheme which was so close to the heart of Her Majesty's dear late husband.
“And this leg will have an extra significance because it is happening two days before Somerset Day on May 11th so I shall be flying a Somerset flag from my buggy for the whole journey.”
Deputy Lieutenant Chris Davies, who is organising the adventure, said the Jubilee Jaunt was an ideal way to show what the monarchy means to the people of Somerset.
“I hope people will turn out on each of the legs of the journey to support our Lord Lieutenant.
"For logistical reasons it won’t be possible to take other members of the public along the route – but it will be lovely if people could cheer her along the way. This is a special year for Her Majesty and we want this to be a special event.”