A FORMER West Devon resident and now Royal Naval Reservist took part in Diamond Jubilee celebrations by rowing in the Thames jubilee pageant — a special event for her in more ways than one.

Originally from Weir Quay, Bere Alston and now based in Southwark, Sub Lieutenant Tamar Howard-Pearce, 27, is a civil servant working for the Department of Transport in civilian life.

She rowed in the Arthur Tisdall VC, a cutter manned by members of London's Royal Naval Reserve Unit, HMS President.

For Tamar, the day was made particularly special by the presence of the gig Ginette, a boat and crew with which she was very familiar from her days of rowing on the River Tamar.

Both boats were in the leading group of the pageant, just behind the ceremonial barge Gloriana. Tamar acted as her boat's 'stroke'.

Tamar said: 'It was a long day and we ended up completely drenched and exhausted. But it was such an unforgettable experience.

'It was fantastic to be rowing straight through the heart of London in our naval cutter, and extra special for me to be next to Ginette from my old gig club, Tamar and Tavy.

'It wasn't meant to be a competition, but we both clearly wanted to be right at the front of the flotilla. And so we were!'

Tamar, a member of the Bristol University Royal Naval Unit before joining the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR), is part of the RNR Media Operations branch. She also acts as HMS President's Boats Officer.

Tamar is originally from Weir Quay, Bere Alston, where her parents still live.

She returns to Devon as often as she can, where she enjoys rowing and other outdoor pursuits.