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

Work on the exterior of the Pursers Cabin is complete. Both the new cabin and the forward companionway cover now have waterproof roofs and you can see the ship with all three deckhouses in place. It makes a huge difference and is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our volunteers.

Come and see for yourselves, and admire the refitted upper aft saloon when the ship re-opens on 22nd May. All being well we reopen on that date for five Saturdays until June 20th after which Medway Queen will be readied for her temporary move to Ramsgate. We do plan to welcome visitors on some Saturdays in July on the slipway there.

Cllr. Pat Cooper made her 100 laps on Saturday as planned, with a small group of well wishers to give moral support and encouragement. 

​Well done, Pat, and thankyou!

Pat's sponsorship page stands at 50% of target, although with Giftaid it's over £600! The page remains live throughout May so it is not too late to contribute and help us get to £1000!