ROYAL APPOINTMENT FOR ICONIC DIGGERS!
JCB machines parade in front of the Queen at jubilee
JCB machines from landmark years of the Queen’s 70-year reign took centre stage at the spectacular Platinum Jubilee Pageant in London.
Diggers from down the years paraded down The Mall past members of the Royal family and tens of thousands of cheering spectators.
They were made by the Staffordshire company in the coronation year, 1953, and jubilee years of 1977, 2002, 2012 and 2022.
At the end of the pageant the team was ushered to the front of the gates of Buckingham Palace with everyone else who had taken part to witness the culmination of the event – a balcony appearance by Her Majesty the Queen and members of her family.
Now the team has spoken of their pride in taking part.
JCB demonstrator Matt Lucas, aged 50, drove a 2002 JCB backhoe loader from Golden Jubilee year.
The father-of-two, from Werrington, said: “The moment when the Queen came out on the balcony was very emotional.
“The roar of the crowd and the singing of the National Anthem in front of Buckingham Palace is something I will never forget.”
JCB backhoe loader product marketing manager Julian Carder, of Uttoxeter, was driving a 1977
JCB backhoe from the year of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee – a machine he restored to its former glory in 2012.
The 46-year-old said: “The response the JCB machines received from the crowds, who were at least 10 deep along most of the route, was simply incredible. They were waving and cheering us as we drove the machines down The Mall.
“We are all very proud to have taken part in such a fantastic tribute to The Queen.”
Leading the parade was one of the first backhoe loaders ever built by JCB in 1953 – the year of Her Majesty’s Coronation – driven by Andy Mcleod, of ABM Plant Hire, of Derby.
JCB demonstrator Dan Potter, from Rocester, was driving a JCB 3CX backhoe from 2012 – the year of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
JCB test site operator Georgina Williams, aged 30, from Derby, drove a 2022 model powered by hydrogen. The machine is currently being developed by the Rocesterbased company as it explores the potential of hydrogen as a zero CO₂ alternative to fossil fuels.
The pageant involved more than 10,000 people and told the story of the monarch’s seven-decade reign through music, dance and fashion.