John Kempton, Vice Chairman of the Medway Queen Preservation Society presented the steam whistle of the SS Freshmere to Mr John Puddy of the SS Freshspring Society.

The whistle is on long term loan so the SS Freshspring Society, to help them in their efforts to restore the SS Freshspring.

A maritime heritage conference dedicated to preserving wooden boat building skills for future generations will be hosted in Ostende this Autumn.Marine businesses, job seekers, education professionals and volunteers with aninterest in the industry are invited to attend the free event at the Thermae Palace Hotel on Thursday September 25th.The conference is part of an Interreg 2 Seas EU scheme called Maritime Heritage Skills. The project aims to pass on traditional skills which are recognised as being of regional economic and cultural importance, but are at risk of dying out due to an aging workforce.The  Maritime  Heritage  Skills  conference  will  include  presentations,  interactiveworkshops and the launch of a unique new suite of online boat building training tools.

The project’s virtual learning environment comprises of thousands of assets such as videos, images, CAD drawings, interviews and accredited course frameworks; all captured around boatyards in the UK, Belgium, Holland and France.Conference delegates will hear about the project’s free training frameworks, learn how this new set of educational tools will support businesses in the sector, explore the virtual learning environment, discover more about new career pathways and opportunities in the industry, and network with like-minded maritime enthusiasts and experts from Belgium, Holland, France and the UK.Please book your free place via email: [email protected] before September 10th.Project partners will also be hosting a similar free Maritime Heritage skills conference in Falmouth, Cornwall, on October 23rd. 

For further details about both events email: [email protected]
To sign up for the event in Ostende, sign up via: http://formulieren.zeeland.nl/openbare_formulieren/maritime_heritage_skills_conference_eng

On Saturday 30th August and Saturday 6th September the PS Medway Queen will not be accessible to visitors, however, the visitors center and souvenir shop will still be open.

If you ever have any queries about visiting us, please call us on 01634 575717

The Medway Queen was moved out of its berth today to make room for the LV21 to commence her trip to Newcastle.
Access to the MQ will be restricted for two weeks until the LV21 returns.
This ship we be available to visitors by the Heritage Open Days Weekend (11th - 14th Sept)

Every Saturday from 11am - 3pm our visitors center, souvenir shop and the PS Medway Queen are open for anyone to come down and visit!
We have dedicated volunteers who are here every Saturday to give you guided tours around the ship, as well as answer any questions you have.

Free parking is available.
You can also call us on 01634 575717 for for information

As part of the above celebrations the shanty groups 'Swinging the Lead; along with the LV21 team are hosting a mini shanty event of Saturday, August 16th 2014.

Apart from STL a number of other groups are coming along and will be performing from 1.00pm until 5.00pm on the LV21 lightship, quayside and on the PS Medway Queen.

Groups performing are:

Plus a special appearance by Dave Buckley ex 'Kimbers Men'! 

You are all cordially invited to this event, which is free to enjoy some nautical singing in the fresh air!

Parking is available at the events location which is:

Gillingham Pier
Pier Approach Rd
Gillingham
Kent ME7 1RX

Local bus is the 176, local train station is Gillingham.