Blog Archives

Bob Ratcliffe

22/12/2018

Above: Bob and his wife, Margaret at the presentation of the bow wheel to Medway Queen in November 2014. Joe Stokes

We were saddened to learn of the passing of Bob Ratcliffe – he was very much a part of the story of the Medway Queen project. A founder member of the Medway Queen Preservation Society, Bob served on our first committee in 1985 and with his local knowledge, contacts, optimism and humour we were soon underway.

Known locally as “Mr. Rochester”, because of his interest in and vast knowledge of the area he was involved in several local societies and was present at most events in the city. He was an expert in the bygone transport of the region; trains, traction engines, buses and, of course, ships. Bob knew and loved them all.

Not only did Bob remember the Medway Queen in service on the Medway but he was on board the ship as a passenger at the Spithead Coronation Review in 1953. In 2014 Bob generously sponsored a replacement bow steering wheel in memory of his son, Michael. An author, broadcaster, historian there was no limit to his talents nor his energy when campaigning for a local cause. John and I enjoyed time out on the sailing barge “Cabby” on race days in the company of Bob, he was always a witty companion.

Bob’s funeral was held at Rochester Cathedral on Thursday December 20th 2018 at 11.30 followed by a private service for the family at Medway Crematorium. To Margaret and Andrew and family we offer our condolences. Bob was respected by all and the world of preservation will be a poorer place without Bob Ratcliffe.

Noreen Chambers
(December 2018)

Bob's interests in transport were varied. In 1953 he was taken by train to Southampton where he boarded Medway Queen for a tour of the fleet and to watch the Coronation Review. Bob took this picture at Waterloo Station. The center train is the one he boarded for the journey to Southampton. Some of the passengers must have been a little put out when their first view of their ship was the top of a funnel protruding above the dockside. Berth 47 was an ocean liner berth and Medway Queen’s 316 tons would be a quite a bit smaller than the usual traffic there: RMS Queen Mary, still in service at that time, was 80,000 tons displacement.

Fund Raising Successes

13/12/2018

In addition to the £3033 donation from the Co-op Community Fund recently announced we have had a generous donation of £5000 from one of our long term supporters and another £3000 from Reading Support Group. This gives us just over £11000 towards the aft saloon project and the electrical fittings. The Fun Food and Craft event on 1st December did well despite the weather and made a further very worthwhile contribution.

The board are continuing to look for further sponsorship but the desired timescales rule out formal grant applications to charitable trusts. We will have to rely on individual donations, smaller grants and sponsorship. If you know anyone who might help please get in touch with them or pass details to us at info@medwayqueen.co.uk

On top of that our prospective publisher for the proposed children's book has revised the specification giving us a much reduced sponsorship target of £3400 for a 1000 print run. This is as good as finding a first sponsor! We will not raid the restoration budget for this project and need it to be independently financed.

Click the "Wish List" below for more details of all donation opportunities.

Medway Queen's Wish List