Float-building a family affair for the Jacksons

The Jacksons were originally going to build a model of Red Cross ship the SS Vega but changed their minds: ‘That was just as well since we then heard someone else was doing it,’ said Dave Jackson, who is the chief builder.

He has made a slight design modification to make sure people can see more: ‘The original had double doors that opened and then the ramp came down, but we’re not doing the double doors.’

A model car will be shown about to roll off the ramp at the back, while there will be a small cabin at the front and there may also be a sea effect created to go as trim around the float.

It is being built onto a Daf truck which Mr Jackson’s son Lee bought especially for the event from Northern Ireland. After the cavalcade, the 8m-long vehicle will be cut down before being used on local roads.

There is a shorter route for this year’s event, with the cavalcade starting at the Vaugrat campsite at 2pm on Liberation Day. The route will then go clockwise around the coast, arriving in Town at about 3pm.

Volunteers are being sought to help line the route.

The family has a long history of taking part in the cavalcade when it used to be a more regular event: ‘I’ve always done these things, all through my life,’ said Roslyn Jackson. ‘I used to do it with my parents when we used horses.’

One of their perhaps best-remembered Liberation Day floats was an army kitchen, which included a toilet on the back that one of the family sat on and squirted a water pistol at onlookers as it drove past.

On the big day Lee will be at the helm – driving – while the rest of the family will be on deck, including at least 10 children: ‘We can bring some friends as well,’ said Freya May, 9.

‘We’ve got a ginormous bubble machine as well and that blows about nine bubbles at a time.’