STATEMENT RE NEW HULL FOR THE MEDWAY QUEEN
UPDATE JANUARY 7th 2008
go to
Recent History.
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MEDWAY QUEEN DRAW
This painting is the main prize

Click here for information and application for Draw Tickets
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Recognised as of National Importance by Press

Members of the Medway Queen Preservation Society could not believe their luck as people looked at their daily papers on Thursday 21 February and read the Medway Queen story. Text messages were sent and phones rang as more papers were found to have taken up the story - the Daily Mail, Daily Mirror and The Independent.
Brian Goodhew, spokesman for the Society, said, "On a Press Officer's birthday what better present could there be than to see our story go world-wide? Since then, the phones have been ringing from press agencies and I realize we are reaching a new generation with our project."
Following a Lottery grant of £1.8 million the MQPS had entered into contract negotiations with A.P. Tyne (Hebben) but this was unsatisfactory from the Heritage Lottery Fund "heritage" viewpoint. The Lottery have since offered the Society other options but the one we all want is to build a ship that is exactly the same as the original.

2008 has started well - let's hope the good luck continues.
Brian Goodhew.
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Our Sales Team
It is high time we recognised more the work done by Roy and June Sedge, that work away in the background to swell our much needed funds. I have managed to get a photo of them at the Dockyard event at Easter (gold dust), and a write up from the day, from a new member that helped, thanks Tim.

"The Easter weekend 2008 saw all weather with sun, rain, hail and a first for the sales team ... SNOW". Both the Sunday and Monday saw a variety of people attending the ever-popular event at the Dockyard despite the adverse weather throughout. June and Roy Sedge (left and right) have attended this event and many others over the years but this was the first time for myself (Tim Corthorn, centre) have recently joined the society. I am a trainee deck officer, hopfuly bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience of the current maritime industry to the society."
Tim Corthorn.

Well done Roy and June and all those that help you.
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CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR MEDWAY QUEEN

The Medway Queen Preservation Society received a Christmas boost to its fund-raising effort when Miss Charlotte Walker, Manager of Chatham Maritime Marina, presented a cheque for £500 to John Kempton, Society Chairman.

The money was raised at the annual berth-holders' party organised by Chatham Maritime Marina for its customers, when items made from the original mast timber of the Medway Queen were auctioned. These items included a barometer and a thermometer, hand-crafted by members of the Kent branch of the Association of Wood-turners of Great Britain based at Aylesford Priory. Chairman John Kempton said,"The Medway Queen Preservation Society is very grateful to Chatham Maritime Marina for making the Society one of its charities to be supported at the berth-holders' party".
Brian Goodhew
Press/Publicity Officer, MQPS
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DONATION FOR MEDWAY QUEEN

Good news in the run-up to Christmas for the Medway Queen volunteers and supporters is that a Charitable Trust has donated £25,000 to the Medway Queen project. The Trust, who wish to remain anonymous for the time being, have made it clear that the money must be spent on the restoration of the famous paddler's engines.

Brian Goodhew, spokesman for the Medway Queen Preservation Society, says, "We are very grateful and it will be a terrific boost for our members who are working on the engines at two venues in the Medway area. This also ties up with the Heritage Lottery Fund releasing a small amount to help with the monies already spent by the Preservation Society."

The next step is to have the ship's plans drawn up to comply with modern-day standards and this may be done at Southampton University. This will be very expensive but all we can wish for this Christmas is that our present good luck continues.

Brian Goodhew
Press/Publicity Officer, MQPS
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MAYOR OF MEDWAY
VISITS MEDWAY QUEEN OFFICE

The Medway Queen Project Office at 42 North Street, Strood, was officially opened on Tuesday 30th October 2007, by the Mayor of Medway, Councillor Val Goulden, accompanied by her husband, Councillor Tony Goulden.

Mayor Val Goulden, signing visitors book
Representing the GMB Union, the sponsors of the office, was Richard Ascough, Regional Secretary of the GMB Union. Mr. Ascough said that this was an important occasion as the Ship is important to the Medway area because of the opportunities for young people to be able to learn from the Ship. He said that it gave him great pleasure to hand over the keys to the Medway Queen Preservation Society. The keys were accepted by John Kempton, Chairman of the MQPS, on behalf of the Society.

John Kempton receiving keys from Richard Ascough
The Mayor thanked the Medway Queen Preservation Society for inviting her to open the Medway Queen Project Office. She talked about the Ship, which was launched in 1924, and said that the Ship was loved by everyone who had been onboard her. Her heroic record at Dunkirk is a story that children will be taught for decades to come. To see her restored will be very special to everyone who has good memories of her, and everyone in Medway. The Mayor thanked the GMB Union for sponsoring the Project Office, which will help to achieve so much more in getting the Medway Queen afloat again, and also the Heritage Lottery Fund. The Mayor then said that she hoped that in the not too distant future we will see the Medway Queen on the Medway where she should be, and this will bring back memories for the people of Medway and for the families of those whose lives she saved. The Mayor closed by wishing everyone at the Medway Queen Project Office every success.

John Kempton thanked the Mayor for coming to the Project Office and thanked the GMB Union for sponsoring the office. He said that the office is already proving its worth by becoming a focal point for fund-raising and he very much looked forward to restoring the Ship and seeing her back on the river.

The Project Office provides front-line information on the Medway Queen Campaign and is manned by Society members from
11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Phone: 01634 715090
Email: medwayqueen@btconnect.com
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GADS HILL SCHOOL, HIGHAM, KENT.
Gill Ellen gave one of her talks for schools re the heroic part the
'Medway Queen' played in the evacuation of Dunkirk, that are studying World War Two, at Gads Hill School. The whole thing was brilliantly received
She was treated like royalty and the children were a joy to talk to. The school had a "tag-day" (where the children pay 50p each for the privilege of wearing their own clothes for the day instead of uniform), and the result was that they presented Gill with a cheque for £400 towards the restoration of the Medway Queen, the cheque was sent straight off to Bob Barnes. What a result!
Our thanks to Gads Hill staff and pupils and Gill, for this much-welcomed contribution and interest.
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Woodturners, and artifacts made from "Main Mast"
All bowls had been sold: there were still an handful of other artifacts to be sold. (contact office)
About £2000 gross proceeds had been raised.
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AGM July 2007
Retirement of three Committee members announced.
For an Appreciation of their service go to
Dedication
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Association of "Woodturners"
The local branch of the Association of "Woodturners" of Great Britain, had offered, and has indeed turned the old Main Mast of the Medway Queen, that is past restoration, into many desirable objects
A few remaining items will be offered for sale, on the 10th to the 24th November 2007 at The Friars, Aylesford, Maidstone, Kent
(See Events)
We thank these dedicated people for all their hard work, which is for a society other than their own, that has produced such outstanding results.
I have added a photo, to wet the appetite, remember these are "Collectors Items"

And many more.
Visit the "Wood Turners" website for information:
www.geocities.com/kent_awgb
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For schools studying World War Two.
The Medway Queen Preservation Society is delighted to offer a free talk (within a reasonable traveling distance), detailing the paddle steamer's heroic part in the evacuation of Dunkirk.
After 15 years as a pleasure craft, the ship was converted to a minesweeper at the start of the war. It was in this guise that she was ordered to assist with the evacuation of stranded British troops from the French coast.
To book talks
e-mail at: kathie.clark@blueyonder.co.uk.

Print out a free poster for your school or organisation,
FREE POSTER
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It was agreed by the Society to accept the Frazer-Nash recommendation that we should award A&P to carry out the work.
It is planned to carry out the rebuilding of the hull at A&P Hebburn Yard, on Tyneside.
The next stage is to get the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to approve the hull design (which we want as close to the original as possible).
Saved parts as needed, will be eventually transported to the yard, as work is progressed.
If all goes well Medway Towns, should see a new hull towed home in early 2008, Stage One will have been completed.
Stage Two, the refit of the ship will have to be undertaken, still a long way to go yet.
We still need funds to keep rolling in; there are many ways on this site to help financially.

Thank you all for your continued support.

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The dismantling of the ship is now complete, all savable parts are now at Chatham Docks, and cleaning is on going of all parts, this is going well, albeit the engine and rudder sections (bow and aft) are still to be off loaded from barges.
The saved decking is still at Damhead Creek, our carpenters are cleaning this and skimming to good wood, Plugging all old bolt holes as well, all ready for use, some 20% of this has been done.
All this is time-consuming work, and far from easy, we could do with a few more volunteers to help on these two projects.
Albeit we have no ship to maintain at present, we still have need for help, physically and financially, to further the final restoration of the Medway Queen.
Good news is the HLF has now released our grant, of 1.8 million pounds. Quotes are in from respective shipyards for rebuild.
2007 could see the rebuild of the hull, and hopefully the future of our "Dunkirk Veteran" is underway.
Lets not get carried away, more funds still need to be raised to progress stage two, the refit of the vessel, lets not relax on our laurels just yet, much work and help is yet to be needed to see our ship in service.
If you can help please, view 'Contacts Page', for our relevant people.
Thank you.

Len Knight, webmaster MQPS.
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MEDWAY QUEEN SCHOOLS VISIT DEPARTMENT

"Access and Learning" is a very important part of the Medway Queen's future as it is one of the requirements of our Lottery Claim that we attend schools to give lectures on the Ship's exploits, especially during World War 2 focusing on the nine days of the Dunkirk Evacuation.

I asked at the recent Annual General Meeting for volunteers, and was very pleased when three members came forward straight away. A strong lecture has been put together and we are ready to swing into action.

The team consists of Gill Ellen, who has been a member since the very early days and is a retired teacher. We also have Cyril Whittingham who has had many years of experience dealing with young people in the Scouting movement. Brian Goodhew and Noreen Chambers have agreed to stand by as reserves. Cathy Johnson was to have co-ordinated the group, but unfortunately had to stand down due to poor health. We thank Cathy for helping to get it all started and wish her well. Kathie Clark has taken over as Co-ordinator, and can be reached by phone on 01634 307682, or by e-mail at: kathie.clark@blueyonder.co.uk.
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Progress
Meetings have been held with shipbuilders, including A&P and Appledore, Pendennis is ongoing. It is expected that
all the final tenders would be in by the end of November 2006, for the rebuild of the hull of Medway Queen.
All is subject to the final fund raising and acceptance from HLF.
We hope the HLF will announce their acceptance in December.
In the meantime, work is progressing on decking and saved parts, re preparation by MQPS members.
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Help the Restoration of the
"Medway Queen"

Now that the festive season is upon us, and we are looking at buying presents for our Loved Ones, why not remember the Medway Queen at the same time.
We have online shops that will give a percentage of your purchase to our restoration project, and at times more cost effective than shopping locally, and not the hassle of shopping in the conditions of today, do it from the comfort of your home!
Give it a try; go to our "Sales List" and view "buy.at" at top of sales list.
Remember "Drops of water, do make an ocean"
Our old lady needs all the help she can get.
Thank you.
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WE ARE ON THE WAY.

The dismantling of the ship was completed on the 8th October 2006, now the renovation of some parts begin, no mean task, quite time consuming for the members, that are past their prime. At present the saved decking is being overhauled.
On the hull rebuild, three shipyards are interested at present, Pendennis, A&P and Appledore, these have been approached for costing, which must be approved by the HLF, pending our receiving of the grant.

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The restoration/rebuild of the Medway Queen is proceeding in stages.

Stage 1. Rescue and conservation,Completed.
Stage 2. Sensitive dismantling saving over 60% of the vessel,Completed.
Stage 3. Rebuild of the hull, decks, bulkheads and companionways.
Stage 4. Restoration to working order of the machinery, paddle wheels etc.
Stage 5. Refit of services, fittings and furniture.
Some of these stages will overlap.

Stage 2. Got under way in early August and is making good progress. A very large number of parts of the ship which can be saved have been identified, numbered, photographed and placed on a data-base. All of these parts, from very large to very small
will be removed and stored in a secure location, cleaned up and made available for re- use. Parts and objects are being dealt with using a similar system to that used by archaeologists. Each item is marked with a numbered metal tag, the item and tag are
photographed, a short written description is prepared.
The photo with tag number and description is then recorded onto a database so that we have a picture of the item, a description, where it came from and a photo number.
Expert specialist consultants are working with contractors to ensure that all significant material is identified, removed with care and stored properly. The company doing the work is contracted to proceed with great care and to consult with the MQPS
representative who is present, with his team, on a daily basis.
The HLF and other expert contacts are keeping a close watching brief. The consultants will advise on steelwork, timber and woodwork and engineering work with particular attention to the main engine.
It should be noted that had the vessel been put onto a pontoon and towed to the chosen shipyard the cost of transportation would have been very much higher and the Society would have been far less able to observe and influence the deconstruction which would
have taken place anyway.

MONEY MATTERS

The Heritage Lottery Fund has granted the Society £1.8 million pounds to fund the cost of the hull restoration/rebuild
The MOPS must now raise and extra £225,000. In order to unlock this grant before the end of this year. Our strategy for this operation will be as follows.

1. We will approach certain Grant giving Trusts which specialise in maritime affairs..
2. We will approach the local population of the Medway area via a leaflet drop to every household.
3. We will appeal to the members of the Society
4. We will re-launch the 'plate fund' appeal to a wider audience.
5. We will promote our progress and our appeal via the various branches of the media.

It is essential to bear in mind that, in the near future, the Society will be raising a very much larger sum than this £225,000. in order to fund the final stages of the project.
The Society will have to approach organisations having access to very large funds indeed.
Fund raising for this initial but crucial sum which will unlock the present HLF grant must be carefully targeted so as not to muddy the waters later on.
Offers of grants, sponsorship, donations, bequests etc are welcome
why not invest in a hull plate? £20 helps towards buying a plate.

To view an application form go to
Plate Fund
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The Annual General Meeting

The AGM was held on the 15th July 2006 at Rochester, Kent, some 50 members plus committee, designated councilors, and the Chatham and Aylesford MP Jonathan Shaw were present.

The main points were progress in the restoration of the hull.
As follows:
To be cost effective the hull will be dismantled on site, owing to the existing fragile condition of the hull that is sunk at present. This work will be done by (GPS) General Port Services Marine Contractors Ltd, they are a local marine contractors based at Chatham Docks, for £280,000, it will include removal of all usable components including the main engine and auxiliaries and also the timber deck planks.
The placing of these into a barge and container, the towing of them to a secure yard at Chatham Docks, the disposal of any ship parts that can not be used in accordance with environmental rules.
The onward transport and treatment of the components will be down to the society to organise. All this needs to be carried out as soon as possible;
delay will only allow more deterioration of the ship.

Three Shipyards have shown interest in the rebuild of the hull, these will now be invited to tender for the final rebuild.

It must be pointed out that albeit we have been granted
£1.861 million, this still left a short fall.
What may not have been made clear in the past, is that even after the HLF grant we are still £225,000 short of the amount needed to re-build the hull. Although we have taken the view that that should not jeopardise the start of the project.

The recipient must provide the rest; HLF will grant 75% of the required amount to finally provide this grant. In light of this urgent need.
It was put to the members that the "Plate Fund" monies should be release so as not to delay this project any more than is necessary.
This motion was passed.
The monies ex the Plate Fund will be replenished and thus used in the hull re-build as anticipated, we simply needed the cash now, as the HLF funds will not be released until November.
Hopefully the dismantling of ship, will be started in August 2006, it will soon be full steam ahead.
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LOTTERY SUCCESS!

The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded the Medway Queen Preservation Society a grant of £1,861,000, for which we extend our grateful thanks.

This grant, together with a substantial contribution from the Society's own funds, will meet the costs of the first stage of the restoration rebuild of the Paddle Steamer Medway Queen. The first stage will see the restoration rebuild of the hull, steelworks and decks, making the ship suitable for the second stage of the work and for certification for use.

The second stage of the restoration rebuild of the Medway Queen will see the main and ancillary engines restored to use, the paddle wheels rebuilt, the boiler renewed and the ship re-fitted for service.

We are very pleased with the grant, and grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund, but the Preservation Society must raise even more funding in order to complete the second stage of this large project.

The Preservation Society, in anticipation of the success of our funding application, has carried out a great deal of essential work over the past few months. Shipyards have tendered for the work and those tenders have been examined both by the Society and by independent marine experts. The work of preparing the hull of the ship for transport to a chosen shipyard has been planned, offered for tender and a tender accepted. Much work has been done to make schools and industry aware of the positive progress and hopeful future of the project to save this significant and important historic vessel. The guidance and advice offered by the Heritage Lottery Fund has been of the greatest use and importance to the Society and the work and planning load undertaken by the Committee of the Society has been both very large and ultimately successful.

There will be much more work over the next few months and, once the first stage of the Medway Queen project is complete, there will be the whole new challenge of funding and completing the second stage.

However, with this excellent and cheering news The Medway Queen Preservation Society is ready, willing and able to tackle any challenge and to overcome any obstacle in our determination to save this famous, historic and deserving vessel.

We are the MQPS, we do not give up - and the Medway Queen is coming home!
John Chambers
Lottery Co-ordinator
Medway Queen Preservation Society

Sheena Vick from the HLF said: "This vessel played an important part in shaping history [and] saving it, in memory of lost generations and for future generations to appreciate, is something that we feel passionate about.
"We have worked closely with the volunteers to find a way of conserving the vessel and are delighted to be able to give them this boost to carry on their hard work."

Noreen Chambers, from the Medway Queen Preservation Society, added: "Now that funding is in place, we are ready to go ahead on the restoration rebuild of this famous, heroic and well-loved ship."

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MEDWAY QUEEN LOTTERY BID:
21 JUNE 2006
A motion of support for the Heritage Lottery Fund bid was proposed at the full Medway Council meeting held on Thursday 15 June 2006 at the Municipal Buildings, Gillingham. The motion was proposed by Councillor Chris Buckwell (Conservative) and was unanimously carried by all parties. This support was then forwarded to the Heritage Lottery Fund on Friday 16 June.

Brian Goodhew, spokesman for the Medway Queen Preservation Society, said that the support shown by the Council is very much appreciated by the Society and will hopefully add weight to the claim.
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MEDWAY QUEEN LOTTERY CLAIM
Lottery Claim Assessors return to the Medway area Wednesday, 17 May 2006. This time it is to assess the latest claim for the veteran Paddle Steamer Medway Queen. "Third time lucky" is the expression being used.
The Medway Queen Preservation Society's first claim was sent in nine years ago in 1997. The second claim, although professionally assembled, was refused - one reason being given that "this Ship does not have enough heritage"!
Brian Goodhew, Spokesman for the Society, said, "Over the years we have been inspected by maritime surveyors more than once. The engines have been given the OK, and all the asbestos has been removed. Our case has even been mentioned in the Houses of Parliament." The decision on this latest claim will be made in June, so it's fingers crossed.
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Heritage Lottery Application
The third and possible last attempt had been launched to the Heritage Lottery, for funding to at least restore the hull of the ship. This is for up to two million pounds plus, all the necessary info has been presented, as ever and with more drain on our funds.
We hope to hear after June 2006 if it has been successful. If our application misses the dead line, than it could August before it is considered.
At present it is an uphill struggle to keep the ship in a stable condition, the elements are now taking their toll on her superstructure. Negotiations are going on at present with contractors to see what can be done to stabilise the ship, or save main parts.
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MEDWAY QUEEN CARNIVAL FLOAT
Barry Ellen's carnival model of the Ship made an appearance in The Historic Dockyard at the Steam and Transport Fair over the Easter holiday. The carnival float, which Barry Ellen took round the summer carnivals for many years, was Barry's pride and joy and it is a tribute to his skill as a carpenter that the float is still in such good condition.
Barry died a few years ago and the float had been put under cover, but twenty years since it was built it was just a matter of cleaning it, hooking it up and towing it away.
Looking at the people in the Dockyard admiring the float and taking photos and generally expressing interest, Barry would have been very pleased.
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T.S.Arethusa
Some time ago a painting was commissioned by Mr Kevin Wells, now Chairman of the Arethusa Old Boys’ Association, and shows the old Training Ship Arethusa at Upnor on the River Medway being passed by the Medway Queen. The Arethusa was owned and run by the Shaftsbury Homes as a boys’ training ship and was moored at Upnor until the 1970s.

Both Mr Wells and the artist, Robert Lloyd, have kindly given their permission for us to use the image in any way in order to raise funds for the Medway Queen. We have therefore reproduced it in the form of a picture, A4 size, and we are offering copies at £7.00 each including p&p. We think it is a beautiful painting.
A Christmas Card of this is now available, please see:
Sales List.
All proceeds from the sale of this painting will go to the Medway Queen Preservation Society.
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BUY A PLATE FOR 'THE QUEEN'
The words 'pontoon', 'shipyards', 'feasibility studies', 'business plan', 'maritime survey' and 'towing charges' are those most used when talking about the Medway Queen at the moment.

But of course the word that is most commonly used is MONEY, of which our members have donated willingly over the years and this has earned a big "thank you" from the Committee and all who love the Queen.
From now on we shall need every penny, for in many ways the next episode has only just begun.

Twenty pounds buys a plate in our Plate Fund and in return you will receive a certificate to prove you have donated money towards a steel plate to restore the hull.

Click here for PLATE FUND ORDER FORM

Thanking you in advance.
Brian Goodhew.
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JONATHAN SHAW MP AT THE AGM
Jonathan Shaw, MP for Chatham and Aylesford South, was guest speaker at the 20th Annual General Meeting of the Medway Queen Preservation Society, held at the Princes Hall in Rochester High Street on Saturday 16 July.
Mr Shaw stated that he had become wedded to the Preservation Society and the Medway Queen, whose members show the same zeal and determination that won this country two World Wars.
Congratulating the Society for being given the Lottery award, he said he was constantly being asked, "How is the Medway Queen?", "What is the latest news?", "Can she be saved?"
The restoration of the ship will include using many old trades and comes well in line with the Government's Access and Learning Scheme.
Mr Shaw pledged his continued support, which was gratefully received by the fifty members of the audience.
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Lottery 'Planning Grant'
A grant of £35,900 has been allocated to the Medway Queen. This is called a Planning Grant and it will enable Mr Wyn Davies, Maritime Consultant with the Fraser Nash Group, to cost the work involved. If in line with the Lottery acceptance,the job will then be put out to tender and the results will be referred back to the Lottery.

Albeit we have been awarded £35.900, our needs are £39.500, which amounts to the society still having to find £3.950 being basically 10% of the total amount.
This is why we need to keep funds coming into the project.

See Recent History
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Labour MP Jonathan Shaw (Chatham & Aylesford) was successful in the ballot for an adjournment debate on the Medway Queen.
Jonathan held a debate on the important subject earlier today (Tuesday 15th March 2005) in the House of Commons.
Jonathan who has previously tabled Early Day Motions, arranged meetings with Ministers and supported funding applications for the Medway Queen said,
"The Medway Queen Paddle Steamer is the only remaining estuary paddlesteamer in the UK and should therefore be preserved. She carried over 7,000 allied troops to safety during the evacuation of Dunkirk during the Second World War.
Not only is she part of Medway's heritage - she is part of the nations. I will continue to do everything within my power to ensure she is fully restored and today's debate provides another opportunity to raise the profile of this cause and to move closer to our goal of a fully restored ship."

UPDATE.
The paddle boxes built as part of the proposed restoration of the Medway Queen have now been moved from Damhead Creek to the Historic Dockyard at Chatham.
They can now be seen between the
Submarine 'Ocelot' an 'HMS Gannet'.
The new Funnel display has also been moved, from outside the nearby Dockyard Museum, they now accompany the Boxes,
This is a much more encouraging position, which can only bring more attention to our project.
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A case of Arson on our site
It seems lady luck is not on our side at present. On Saturday September the 25th, 2004 our Visitors Centre on site, which contained many artefacts, our shop and many other irreplaceable items, was completely destroyed by fire.
We have reason to believe this was not accidental, as our Caravan used as a mess room had been tampered with, and left in some disarray. Our key store was smoked damaged, and some gear inside damaged by heat
What ever have we done to deserve such treatment, other than try to save part of our heritage, obviously this means little to some, who do not seem to retain the brains that they were born with.
This does little for our ego, having suffered knock after knock.
The ship, and new paddle boxes are at present safe and undamaged,
The site has been vandalised many times in the last 15 years, but never as devastating as this; the cost in time as well as money can well be done without.
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Our Lottery bid has been REJECTED
Committee meet Heritage Lottery to discuss our future
Click here for update
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Meeting with Estelle Morris, MP
Minister for Heritage and Culture
Estelle Morris, the Minister,agreed to meet a delegation from the Medway Queen at the Ministry in Westminster on the 11th February. Present at the meeting were Kevin Curran, General Secretary of the GMB Union; Jonathan Shaw MP; John Chambers, Chairman MQPS; Brian Burton and Mick Laws,GMB; and John Kempton Vice Chairman MQPS. John Chambers outlined the proposals for the restoration of the Medway Queen and then Jonathan Shaw and Mr Curran spoke strongly in support. The meeting went on to discuss the nature and purpose of the Historic Ships Committee and the recent government consultation paper 'Ships for the Nation' to which we had responded. The Minister talked with us for about an hour.
See Photo Album
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RECENT BEQUESTS to MQPS.
The Medway Queen Preservation Society has had another boost to the ship restoration fund in the form of two recent bequests.
We had respectfully ask our friends and supporters to remember the Medway Queen when writing their wills, always a delicate thing to do, but with a huge amount of cash needed we overcome our reluctance and put the request in our Quarterly Journal" Full Ahead" and on to the website, some time ago.
Our bid for a Lottery grant will need to be supported by evidence of "matching funds" so any donations we receive, either large or small, are extremely welcome indeed.
Anyone who would like details of how to help the MEDWAY QUEEN is invited to get in touch with our Secretary for the MQPS, address can be found in CONTACTS, Thank You.
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Donations by bequest.
If you think the PS Medway Queen should sail again then please help by remembering her in your will
Donations should go to:
The New Medway Steam Packet Company,
Thank You.
We are a registered charity and company.
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Our New Inshop
Visit our on line shop at www.buy.at/MedwayQueen all that is sold through this site gives us a percentage to our funds that we now need.
Before you buy think 'Medway Queen', cost no more than most other shops. Shop from home, why go out if no need.
it could help to reach our objective, to get back into service,
Please give it a try.
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Paddlebox Restoration
Co-op South East gives us a grant to this project

Co-op South East has granted us Four Thousand, Five hundred Pounds (£4,500) towards this project, which we receive with many thanks
The paddlebox restoration is now completed. Our carpenters had researched the kinds and size of timber required and established the likely cost of the work. Full size drawings of the paddlebox faces had been prepared. The paddlebox face is in two main sections. The upper part is in the decorative arch of ornamental spokes with the name of the ship carved on the curve above. This part is built up from relatively small sections joined and fitted together.
The lower part is formed by massive timbers which not only support the decorative part but also protect the sponsons and the sides of the ship from damage. Although the final effect is light and elegant the size of the structure is very large.

Meanwhile our Boilermaker friends had surveyed the metal arches over the paddle wheels with a view to replacing the frame work and metal covering upon which the paddlbox faces are secured.
These were built thanks to our GMB friends, and were installed on site, all has now been painted, and the fitting of paddle box fronts was carried out, by our carpenters, followed up by the Painters.
(See Photo Album)
All work of this kind was carried out with a view to fitting it onto the Medway Queen when she undergoes her restoration rebuilt
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Reading Sales Group
The model Boat Show organised jointly with Kew Bridge Steam Museum took place over the weekend of 12/13th of June. Despite clashing with the start of the Euro2004 football tournament the event proved successful and a good time was had by all. The boats on show ranged from miniatures less than ½” long to a replica of Medway Queen herself, built by Brian Eaton and measuring in at 6ft long. Scratch built to 1/32nd scale, with lights blazing and paddles gently turning she was a magnificent advertisement for the object of our society’s efforts. Brian deftly managed to lead many interested visitors from the intricate detail of his model to the adjoining sales table where painless cash extraction could be undertaken!
Our thanks go to Kew Bridge Steam Museum, to Pathtrace Engineering Systems for sponsorship and to all the exhibitors and visitors. Preliminary discussions are taking place with regard to repaeting the event next year. Watch this space for further announcements!

If you can help out on stands within 50 mile or so of the Reading/Wokingham area, please give Richard Halton a call on 0118 961 4292.
(Forms are available on this site for the purchase of the lighthouses and also his new line in Railway Wagons now available, remember they are a limited edition)
We could do with more groups around the UK to help raise funds such as this, any offers?
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Historic Ship List.
The National Historic Ships Committee has reviewed the criteria for entry into the National Register of Historic Ships.
In agreements supported by the National Maritime Museum, a number of changes have been decided.
The affected list of ships are the Core Collection and Designated Vessels List. The scale of research at the project's outset prompted strict entry criteria in up to1945 vessels that are substantially intact.
This provided a sub-set of the total existing number of historic vessels in which to contain the Register's huge research task.
The same principal has governed the new review, and due to limited research capabilities, the further measures are still not as broad as many had hoped.
Since this vessels up to 1955 are now included, pushing the Medway Queen further down the list, it is no surprise that the "Britannia" has squeezed into this list.
Now only vessels lying in the UK will be considered. They must also be British built, substantially intact, built
pre-1955 and over 40ft.
Entry to the Core Collection may also be gained on the merits of a vessel's "extraordinary maritime importance". The Committee hopes to gain additional research funding, allowing the resourcing of new applicants and possibly also a re-evaluation of the lists.
The Medway Queen fulfills all these conditions, yet is still not on the
Core Colection, why?
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THE CORE COLLECTION.
We must strive to get the ship on to the 'Core Collection' as drawn up for ships that should be preserved, and regrettable she is not. She has been left on the 'Designated List'.
Our ship has little chance if any, on this last list.
All our MPs need to be lobbied, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport must be convinced of the ships need of funding, as well as the Heritage Lottery Fund. We need people power to achieve this.
If you are interested write to your
local MP to let your voice be heard, at this address:
(Name MP) House Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.

Johathan Shaw MP put down an 'Early Day Motion'
in the House of Commons on the 10th of December 2002, on behalf of the Medway Queen Preservation Society
supported by the GMB Union.
To ensure the "Medway Queen" is placed on to the "Core Collection" for preservation.

Johnathan Shaw has now e-mail all MP's on this quest, this shows dedication on this project on our behalf.

That this House notes that the Medway Queen is the only estuary paddle steamer left in the United Kingdom; further notes that she played an historic role during the Second World War evacuation of Dunkirk, where she carried 7,000 allied troops to safety; and believes that the Medway Queen Preservation Society's ambition to restore her fully to good working order would be greatly advanced if the National Historic Ships' Committee would reconsider its decision and place her in the Core list of historic ships.
Please contact your local MP, if they have not backed this motion yet.
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WORLD WIDE PLATE APPEAL
THE HEROINE OF DUNKIRK
This is a chance for ship-lovers World Wide to help save this unique vessel. TIME IS RUNNING OUT.
P.S. MEDWAY QUEEN
£20 will pay for a section of the steel plate needed to re-plate the hull.
Access to large funding from whatever source depends upon the availability of proportionate "matching funding" from the applicant.
The hull restoration will be in the region of about two million pounds plus.
(costing are at this time being put together, before entering the new application to HLF for the preserving of the hull alone)
Society Members have already subscribed £227.446 by mid 2004
We need about £750.000 to stand as "matching funding" when we apply for substantial funding from "official" sources. .
YOUR DONATION WOULD HELP TO SAVE THIS FAMOUS SHIP.
PLEASE SEND DONATIONS TO THE PLATE FUND.

Click here for form PLATE FUND
REMINDER
When sending donations and contribution do not forget to complete the Tax Aid Form if it is your wish to do so. This makes quite a lot of extra funding for the ship at
no cost to yourself as long as you are a UK tax payer.
See Gift Aid Form
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Union pledges support for Medway Queen
The GMB, one of the most powerful trade unions in the UK, pledges support for the Medway Queen.

Name repainted on Bows