It's a while since I posted news on the website but that doesn't mean nothing is happening.

Ramsgate:
​Preparations for Ramsgate continue but the timescales are proving to be more slippery than we had hoped. July 1st has come and gone. The 8th was suggested and then it slipped again. We're doing our best to keep the website updated so keep an eye on the visits page:

The new "Life on Board" booklet is proving popular. If you haven't got one yet you can purchase through the online shop or by post from Richard. See details in Full Ahead or the earlier post. The record purchase by one person (so far) is 20 copies!

Richard's "PS Ryde" book, which will support Medway Queen, is still waiting for archive images but there is a sign of movement there. Please continue to be patient, they'll be on sale as soon as we can get them.

As previously reported Medway Queen had a good first Saturday opening last weekend with visitors taking the tour and associated shop sales. We're there again this coming Saturday from 11am so come along and see the progress our volunteers have made with the aft saloon (now with curtains, see left) and the Purser's cabin.

While you are there take a look at the shop for the new "Life on Board" booklet, the conflat railway wagons (selling fast) and Woody's brilliant hand crafted souvenirs.

If you can't get there in person you can buy the new booklet online and it's not too late to contribute to Pat Cooper's sponsorship page. That remains open for another 6 days or so.

Our first “Full Ahead Extra” publication presents two accounts of life on board. By coincidence, both Brian Goodhew and Richard Lingham sailed on the ship as passengers when they were small and then had jobs on board at a later date. An intriguing thought is that Richard might have bought his ice creams from Brian!
 
The booklet is in the same style and format as a regular Full Ahead (the society magazine) but has 28 pages instead on the usual 16. It is illustrated, mainly, by David Ingham’s superb photos of Medway Queen which have appeared on Facebook but which we have never published before. 
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This new publication is available now, priced at £3, from the Medway Queen Visitor Centre when it is open on Saturdays, or by post via the online shop.

Medway Queen is open to visitors again on Saturdays from 22nd May. Usual times, 11am to 4pm with last admissions at 3pm. Covid precautions remain in place so please wear your mask and follow the guidelines.

The team are eager to welcome you, the aft saloon deserves your inspection and admiration, the shop is stocked with "goodies" including the "Memories of Dunkirk" book, new 00 "conflat" wagons and a fantastic range of turned wooden items donated by Woody's family and a collection of maritime prints and photos.

Photo: Brian Simmons