​Members should receive their copies of the Summer 2022 Full Ahead later this week, with details of the Jubilee events and other news. We know it’s not long since the last one but the Spring 2022 issue was delayed by several factors and we wanted to get the Summer one out in time to advertise the Jubilee events on board Medway Queen; In the meantime here is a brief summary of what’s going on:

​Jubilee reminder and help wanted:
The ship is now open to visitors on Saturdays as usual. The schedule for the extended Jubilee weekend has been posted online (but we must retain the right to make last minute changes according to circumstance). Following the weekend there will be a “Medway Queen Beside the Seaside” display at Medway Archives in Strood.

Pam is looking for any MQPS members that can give us a few hours on one or more of these days, to talk to members of the public, or serve them with cream teas. If you feel you can, please contact Pam by email pambathurst@sky.com

2022 Restoration plans:
Lasting effects of the pandemic and a serious over-run of the Ramsgate project did not help our scheduling last year. Ramsgate did take longer than planned, and cost considerably more, but it achieved more than originally envisaged. The Board are now resetting the plan in line with available finances and projects may not be undertaken in the order shown below. The more income we can generate the more we’ll get done this year. We rely heavily of the generous support of our members and other individuals and organisations. We thank them all and, in particular, thank those of you  who are contributing to the costs of this work programme.​

Medway Queen West (MQW):
MQW finished their early 2022 season of events with a successful 3 days at the Bristol Model Railway Exhibition. It was our first time at that show and if we can do go again next year we will hope to do even better. The model railway events, which make up most of MQW’s calendar, are grouped in the Spring and Autumn so the next planned outing is the International N Gauge Show in Warwickshire in September, then a series of shows through into November. One particular “nice little earner” is second hand model railway items. If anyone has suitable items they are prepared to donate for resale please get in touch: richardhalton1502@gmail.com 
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On line and MQVC sales:
After the usual post-Christmas lull online sales and visitor income are recovering. The Medway Queen publications and the Ryde book are playing their part and the Ryde book has been particularly popular since it was published last October. That book will shortly be available to people visiting the Breeze Restaurant at Island Harbour on the Isle of Wight, as well as at our Visitor Centre and online.

Over the extended holiday weekend of 2nd to 5th of June PS Medway Queen will be open on all four days with additional attractions to make your visit more enjoyable. Admission times and charges are not changed, it's 11am to 4pm with last admission 3pm - same as the usual Saturdays. Ship tours will run  as usual so start your visit at the Medway Queen Visitor Centre where some limited car parking is available.

In addition to the guided tours we have arranged a series of additional attractions which are now listed on our diary page. There will be a sale of maritime prints and photos at sensible prices (come early in the weekend if you are interested), cream teas served on board and chances to see Pam and Mark's historical presentation  on our ship's amazing history at certain times. Note that some events are on certain days only and that there will be a modest additional charge in some cases. 

FULL DETAILS IN THE DIARY

“Beside the Seaside” display at Medway Archives
Monday 6th June until Tuesday 26th July.

As a follow up to the Jubilee weekend we have also arranged a display of the ship's history, entitled "Medway Queen Beside the Seaside", at the Medway Archive Centre, 32 Bryant Road, Strood, Rochester ME2 3EP, from Monday 6th June to Tuesday 26th July. The display charts Medway Queen’s history as an excursion vessel with panels covering the Spithead Naval Reviews and the Second World War as well as the “day job” of excursions across the Thames Estuary.

Admission is free and opening hours will be: 9am to 5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. 9am to 12.30pm on Saturdays. The site is closed on Wednesdays and Sundays.

A quick reminder that Medway Queen West will be at the South West Ship Show on Saturday with the full range of "Medway Queen" books, the PS Ryde book (of course) and other selected items. We are reducing our range of seaside souvenirs so ornamental model boats etc. will be available at tempting prices. We have a few second hand maritime books and the GSN 00 wagons. We also have a quantity of Atlas 1/1200 warship models for sale.

Come and see us at: 
SOUTH WEST SHIP SHOW
 Saturday, 2 April 2022 10.00am - 3.30pm
BAWA Social Club, 589 Southmead Road, Filton, BRISTOL, BS34 7RG

If you are a MQPS member and would like to help at occasional events this would be an ideal time for a chat!