As members will read in the Autumn 2018 issue of Full Ahead (about to be sent out) we have had continual problems with water getting in through the promenade deck. This makes work on the ship more difficult and damages what has previously been done. In one or two sensitive areas such as the electricity distribution board it poses a very real problem. Over the past years we have tried many solutions with varying degrees of success and yet another try is now in hand.

Mick A organised the troops - Ron L, Ron V,  Bob D, William E & Phil J - and, making use of the dry weather today, they meticulously cleaned each length of deck-timber from the aft plated section to the Captain's Cabin.  Once this has been completed they will begin the process of applying the new caulking material which is a rubber-like compound.  You may be thinking this a deja vu moment.  Well, yes, in a way.  We have indeed discussed and attempted re-caulking with the material that came from Bristol and yes we found a number of problems when using it.  However, the new material we are using is a rubbery compound and is applied differently, and more importantly, is in date!  

​The guys are very hopeful this new product will do the job and they'll be monitoring it over the next 12 months. 

Judith Maguire

We need more trustees and volunteers in technical, administrative and sales/marketing roles. We have teams of volunteers for woodwork, electrical and mechanical fitting, more hands will enable us to progress more quickly with the fitting out phase of Medway Queen’s restoration. We need to build up the Visitor Centre team to show people round the ship and to operate souvenir and coffee shops. More help means more time open to the public and more revenue for the restoration. There are administration, fundraising and marketing tasks and help is needed there too. The existing teams are stretched to the limit and extra pairs of hands - or fingers on keyboards - would be welcomed with open arms. If you think you can help us restore this famous old ship please get in touch.

The Medway Queen Preservation Society is managed by a Board of Trustees in accordance with Articles of Association approved by the Charity Commission. We not only need more people to support the board, as mentioned above, but additional board members are also needed. If being a trustee of this well-known heritage charity appeals to you get in touch. Being a Trustee does require a long term commitment to the restoration project and “work” of one sort or another between the monthly board meetings of course. But, as the ship progresses or other targets are met, there is a great deal of satisfaction in thinking “I contributed to that!”

The Ship and Visitor Centre will be open to the public on Saturdays until December 1st 2018. The site will then be closed to visitors for a few weeks, re-opening shortly before Easter for the 2019 season. To join our “happy band” of Volunteers and Trustees come and see us on a public day or get in touch by phone 01634 575717 or email info@medwayqueen.co.uk

​On 8-9th September Reading Support Group will be at The International N Gauge Show near Leamington Spa with our full range of railway books, N gauge accessories and as much second hand N gauge material as we can scrounge! TINGS is now our biggest and busiest show of the year and preparation for the stand is in full swing. Come and see us if you are visiting the event.

Reading Support Group’s full diary for the coming months can be found on the website Events page. If you are at one of these shows come and see us!

On 8-9th September we’ll be at The International N Gauge Show near Leamington Spa with our full range of railway books, N gauge accessories and as much second hand N gauge material as we can scrounge!
Reading Support Group’s full diary for the coming months can be found on the website Events page. If you are at one of these shows come and see us!
​
See you there we hope

Richard Halton

Last Saturday, August 4th saw another really successful "Fun Food and Craft Day" organised by Judith Maguire and her team down at Gillingham Pier. As well as the usual ship tours these events bring a variety of craft stalls and sideshows to our site to give visitors even more to do.

The tour guides were kept busy showing people around the Medway Queen and the Visitor Centre book and souvenir shop did well on top of the income from the event itself. A winning combination!

The photos by Judith show John and Barry Slayford inspecting the Medway Queen Carnival Float. Their father, Sgt. John Slayford RA was picked up from Dunkirk by Medway Queen on her last trip there, a Miss Teen Rochester contestant who supports the "Stop Bullying in Schools" campaign and other family activities.