AGM Report and a new President appointed

Above: The Rt. Hon. the Lord West of Spithead GCB DSC.

The Medway Queen Preservation Society’s AGM was held on board the ship on Saturday 14th October. The format of the event was changed this year so that the formal business was followed by presentations on restoration progress by a couple of our volunteers and a buffet lunch for attendees in the Visitor Centre. These changes proved popular and the progress reports, especially, were very welcome. This, and recent changes to our own quarterly newsletter/magazine, are helping to make MQPS members better informed on what’s happening to the ship.

The formal business included appointment of The Rt. Hon. the Lord West of Spithead GCB DSC as President of the society and the appointment of ex-Chairman Brian Burton as a Vice-President. Lord West has been a supporter and Patron of the society for a number of years and was instrumental in securing grant funding for the ship’s visit to Ramsgate for the 75th Dunkirk Anniversary two years ago.
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Bob Stokes was re-elected as a Trustee of the New Medway Steam Packet Co. and three new Trustees were also confirmed. Janet Dyjak has served as Treasurer for some time and Judith Swinney puts in huge efforts to keep our working practices in line with modern safety and regulatory requirements, as well as shouldering part of the fund-raising burden. Richard Halton has worked in the society’s PR team for longer than he cares to think about. All three will continue in their previous roles but as Trustees will be able to contribute to running the society on a wider basis as well. At a Trustees meeting a few days later David Howells was elected Vice-Chair, John Kempton remains as Chair and Bob Stokes as Committee Secretary. Pam Bathurst who, with husband Mark, tours the country giving presentations on Medway Queen’s story has also been co-opted to the management committee. ​