Embargo – 12 midday, 18th JUNE 05
PRESS RELEASE
FILM
STAR SOPHIA MAKES A SPLASH AT VIKING BOAT LAUNCH
A 21’ replica Viking boat, designed & built by bespoke furniture maker
David Jones, was today (18 Jun) launched on the River Thames at Richmond, following
a ceremony in which the boat was named “Lille Draken” (little dragon) by
international film & TV star Sophia Myles (Thunderbirds/Colditz).
The ceremony was presided over by Ulf Greder - Jarlen (the Earl) of Bärsärkar och Vikingar in the UK.
A procession of children in
Viking costume led the boat to the water, where Ulf addressed the crowd in
Swedish and, following Viking tradition, made a symbolic offering to the river
‘god’ by pouring some specially brewed Lille
Draken ale into the river.
The boat’s builder - David Jones then called upon Thunderbirds’ actress Sophia
Myles to name the boat. Sophia’s
father, Reverend Peter Myles of St John the Baptist church, Isleworth completed
proceedings in naval tradition, by blessing the boat before it was launched
into the river Thames for its long-awaited maiden voyage.
Speaking after the launch, actress Sophia Myles commented:
”This is definitely one of the most
unusual launches I’ve been to! When
David asked me to name the boat I was delighted to take on the role - the
boat’s name is perfect - the golden figurehead is really stunning. I’m so impressed by his dedication – it just
shows what can be achieved if you pursue your personal dreams! I’m sure that many watching today will be
inspired by his example!”
David Jones was at the helm as the boat finally
navigated its way mid river at high tide, with its five-strong crew. As the white sail was raised, with its
distinctive red Celtic cross design, David was understandably emotional,
saying:
“This is the moment I’ve been waiting for
- as a child I visited a Viking museum and the image always stayed with
me. Today by launching Lille Draken,
I’ve realised an ambition”.
The boat had already made a perilous ‘voyage’ over the
previous weeks in order to make it to the launch! Landlocked in David Jones’ back garden in Isleworth
(W.Middlesex), she was log-rolled in true Viking style from his workshop
towards the house, then, rather less conventionally, lifted up and over his
Victorian semi by an 80 tonne crane and onto a waiting trailer. More…
FILM STAR SOPHIA MAKES A SPLASH AT VIKING BOAT LAUNCH
Inspired by a Viking longboat in Oslo (the Gokstad),
Lille Draken’s design and construction was a leisure project which took David
more than a year to complete in his spare time. The design is a hybrid of the larger Gokstad longboat and some of
the smaller faering (scouting) vessels found on board. One of its most striking features is the
carved, dragon figurehead which was based on a design by David’s 15 year old
son – Ben.
Peter Myles, vicar of St John the Baptist Church,
Isleworth who formally blessed the boat added:
”Today’s launch celebrates the life of
our parish at St John’s and the many talents of our congregation – in
particular of David Jones, a master craftsman. His endeavours have provided a
wonderful opportunity for everyone to experience a piece of living history and
to pass it on to our children”.
David plans to race Lille Draken in the Traflagar Great River Race in September - a gruelling, 22 mile rowing race from Ham to Greenwich in which more than 200 boats take part. David added “If weather conditions are choppy we should do well, as these were the conditions for which Viking boats were designed”.
The boat will also make appearances at St John the Baptist
(Isleworth) church Summer Fair, 25th June and the Traditional Boat
Rally, 17-19 July. Details about the
boat’s appearances and preparations for the race can be found at www.davidjones.uk.com
– information will be regularly updated.
In
celebration of the boat launch, a 4.1% abv, bottle-conditioned ale, named
Lille Draken, was
brewed exclusively for specialist off-licence - the Twickenham - based
Real Ale Limited, by City of Cambridge Brewery. Described as ‘light
golden ale with a refreshing, hoppy after taste’, Lille Draken ale is
available in 500ml bottles to customers online at www.realale.com or at their Twickenham shop - 371 Richmond
Road, Twickenham.
David, whose
clients include Viscount David Linley and Lawrence Llewellyn-Bowen, used
largely traditional materials and Viking techniques for his unusual
boat-building project. He completed
his first boat – a Thames whiff gig called Yolanda – in Sept 01. Prior to this he had never rowed a boat
properly and had only sailed once before.
