Acting New Zealand High Commissioner Rob Taylor will be the guest of honour when Marlborough’s Mayor Edwina Fogg holds a reception at the town hall on February 14 to celebrate Marlborough’s international links.
The town has links in particular with Marlborough in New Zealand and also Marlborough in America, but the presence of Mr Taylor has special significance following the Queen’s diamond jubilee pageant on the Thames last year.
Taking part in that was a team of six students from Marlborough Boys College, who rowed a replica model of the Swift Shaw whaler boat as part of the royal flotilla using a huge oar to steer the 9.7 metre long boat.
And that very same steering oar is now to be a jubilee gift to Marlborough, where it will be on display in an exhibition at the town hall after being officially presented to the Mayor by Mr Taylor.
He is a career diplomat who, from the Commission in London, is also Acting Ambassador to Ireland and Acting High Commissioner to Nigeria.
The presentation takes place at 12 noon.
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