• Home
  • MQPS
    • Work program
    • About MQPS
    • Contact Us
    • Our Sponsors & Links
    • Membership & Donations
    • Volunteers
    • Talks and Presentations
    • Medway Queen - West & Wagons
    • NHS-UK
    • General Steam Navigation
    • Pier Activity Arcade
    • HMS Medway
  • Events & Visits
  • History
  • News
  • SHOPPING
Medway Queen Preservation Society
  • Home
  • MQPS
    • Work program
    • About MQPS
    • Contact Us
    • Our Sponsors & Links
    • Membership & Donations
    • Volunteers
    • Talks and Presentations
    • Medway Queen - West & Wagons
    • NHS-UK
    • General Steam Navigation
    • Pier Activity Arcade
    • HMS Medway
  • Events & Visits
  • History
  • News
  • SHOPPING

Dunkirk Display - open for business

1/8/2017

 
Picture
The "visitor experience" has suffered in two ways recently, for which we can only apologise. Both have now been corrected.

Firstly there was a problem with lighting in the lower saloon where the "Memories of Dunkirk" display is sited. A planned upgrade went wrong for a number of technical reasons but the work has now been completed and the jokes about torches and miner's helmets are behind us. The display showcases the recollections of crew and evacuated soldiers specifically relating to HMS Medway Queen; with all the excitement over Dunkirk and the new film at present here is a chance to learn directly from those who were there. The display comprises both sides of a 12ft long panel with secondary displays of the ship's wartime career and her rebuild in Bristol. This display will be on board until Saturday 4th September.

Our second problem was fortunately short lived. The nature of Gillingham Pier is such that to move a ship in or out often needs others to move out temporarily. This happened last week when another historic minesweeper took her place at the pier. MV Tongham is now berthed ahead of Medway Queen and it will be interesting to watch her future development. Moving Medway Queen requires a partial dismantling of the access gangway and we were unable to replace it in time for Saturday's visitors. Despite notices on Facebook and the website some visitors were disappointed, of course, but we hope they will be able to return and see the ship properly at some future time.

Our third piece of news on access is a true improvement. Since the ship's return from Bristol access to the aft saloon has been via a narrow temporary stairway. This has now been replaced by a full width steel access which will, in due course, be clad in timber to restore its original appearance. Handrails should be added this week and if they are complete the stairs will be in use. Otherwise, access will be via the forward saloon.

Our thanks to the volunteer teams who make all this possible.

Photos: Top: Part of "Memories of Dunkirk" - Richard Halton
Below left: New Saloon access - Andy Parker
Below right: Troops on board Medway Queen - PSPS Collection
​
Picture
Picture

Comments are closed.

    Archives

    May 2025
    January 2025
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    September 2023
    August 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    July 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • MQPS
    • Work program
    • About MQPS
    • Contact Us
    • Our Sponsors & Links
    • Membership & Donations
    • Volunteers
    • Talks and Presentations
    • Medway Queen - West & Wagons
    • NHS-UK
    • General Steam Navigation
    • Pier Activity Arcade
    • HMS Medway
  • Events & Visits
  • History
  • News
  • SHOPPING