Lord Lieutenant Thanks COVID Unsung Heroes on Somerset Jubilee Jaunt, Weston-super-Mare Leg

Today (Thursday 12th May) Weston-super-Mare hosted the third leg of the Somerset Jubilee Jaunt; the Jaunt sees the Lord Lieutenant (the Queen’s representative in Somerset Mrs Annie Maw) take part in a 70-mile trek from Clevedon to Exmoor split into seven, ten-mile sections to celebrate the region as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, in partnership with Duke of Edinburgh leaders and students.

Whilst the other sections of the Jaunt are more rural in their approach, the Weston-super-Mare section, hosted by Weston College, saw their Duke of Edinburgh students and wider college students escort the Lord Lieutenant across a vibrant and diverse urban leg – which was designed to ensure it weaved its way through the heart of the town’s community.

The College’s Musical Theatre students sang their way around the town, with songs from the decades, the musicals and Abba on the 10-mile stretch, all with the aim of giving residents of the town a much-needed pick me up just in time for the Jubilee. 

The route was also crafted to ensure the Lord Lieutenant could stop enroute to meet key organisations and their staff such as Weston Hospital, Weston Hospice Care, For All Active Living Centre, Avon Fire and Rescue Service and the Community Policing Teams, so she could pay a personal thank you in recognition of going above and beyond during the pandemic.

The Lord Lieutenant also visited teaching staff at several primary schools including Uphill, Westhaven, Windwhistle, Bournville and Ashcombe Schools as the jaunt passed by, giving children a chance to learn more about the Platinum Jubilee, ahead of the main celebrations.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, the College Principal said, ‘We were delighted to host this walk for the Lord Lieutenant, who was really keen for this part of the Jaunt to be a chance to celebrate Weston and engage with its community’.

Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Annie Maw commented: “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.

“It was so exciting to do the third leg of this jaunt in Weston-super-Mare’s the young people who joined me, were full of enthusiasm and a delight to have accompany me. It was also great to see some of whom are participating in the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme which was so close to the heart of Her Majesty’ dear late husband.”