Digger drivers’ pride at Jubilee pageant
JCB workers from Derby have spoken of their pride in helping the company play a major role in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant in London.
Five JCB diggers paraded down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace past members of the Royal Family and tens of thousands of cheering spectators lining the route.
The team of operators drove the machines manufactured in The Queen’s jubilee years of 1977, 2002, 2012 and 2022 – and one made in her coronation year 1953.
JCB test site operator Georgina Williams, 30, of Derby brought the parade of JCB backhoes right up to date as she drove a 2022 model powered by hydrogen. The machine is currently being developed by the company as it explores the potential of hydrogen as a zero CO₂ alternative to fossil fuels.
Georgina said: “The highlight for me came when we drove through Admiralty Arch and took in the scene in front of us – the flags in The Mall and the tens of thousands of people waving and cheering. It was simply amazing and a once in a lifetime experience.”
Leading the parade was one of the first backhoe loaders ever built by JCB, in 1953, driven by Andy McLeod, of ABM Plant Hire, of Derby.
JCB demonstrator Dan Potter, of
Rocester, was driving another iconic JCB 3CX backhoe from 2012 – the year of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
JCB Backhoe loader product marketing manager Julian Carder, 46, of Uttoxeter was driving a 1977 JCB backhoe from the year of the Silver Jubilee – a machine he restored to its former glory in 2012.
He said: “It is hard to find the