News from all departments

Work on the ship
The aft saloon is now looking good - a credit to all the hard work that our volunteers have put in (below left). Another team have commenced work on a more substantial forward deck house to protect the companionway (below right). Work continues towards the various certifications that we will need (thanks Judith) and, no doubt there'll be a few wrinkles to iron out everywhere! The galley is progressing too with services such as running water and waste disposal being fitted. Further work is being undertaken on the promenade deck to cover a greater area with steel plate. This has proved to be the best solution to the water ingress problem that is actually affordable! 

There'll be a short, well earned, rest over Christmas but they will be hard at it again early in the New Year.

Medway Queen visitor centre
A steady stream of visitors appeared during 2019 and the difference made by Wheels of Time to both numbers and make-up of visitors has been noticeable. See the earlier post; far more family groups with young children - FANTASTIC! Thanks to Brian and Pam and all the "Saturday Team".

The ship tours and visitor centre are now closed for a short winter
​ break and will ​ re-open to you all in February.

Reading Support Group (AKA Medway Queen West)
The group have had another good year, although not quite as good as 2018 from a purely financial viewpoint. A cheque was paid to the society this month bringing the total raised this year to just under £5000. The group's target of raising £100K has been passed with a running total raised since they started in 1997 of £103333. 
A major revenue source for the group has been the railway wagons. 3 new batches are planned for 2020, starting with a General Steam Navigation 00 model in January and then 2 batches of Dunkirk commemorative wagons later in the year; for 00 and N gauges. More details next month! The N gauge "NMSPCo. Tool vans" (above) have almost sold out in just 5 months. About 8 left out of the 100 ordered.

With Thanks to all the trustees and volunteers who work so hard to run the society, restore the ship, look after visitors and raise funds.
​
​Have a very Happy Christmas and New Year, and get down to Gillingham Pier to see us when you can in 2020.