The Medway Queen Preservation Society is planning an ambitious development programme for 2021.
Even though much of the work will be undertaken by the society’s volunteer teams the total cost is expected to be in the region of £45,000.
As much of this programme as possible will be completed in 2021, any remainder being tackled the following year.
The plan includes a temporary move to Ramsgate in the summer where the ship will be put on the slipway for overdue hull maintenance and painting, originally planned for last year.
If circumstances permit there will be an open event in some form while the ship is there.
To get the maximum benefit from the visual improvement that hull painting will make, work relating to the promenade deck is planned.
The replacement purser’s cabin is ready to be assembled on board. This and the forward deck house require a fully waterproof top covering which Bulldog Flat Roofs Ltd, of Gillingham, have already agreed to supply.
Even if the volunteers do the bulk of this work, expensive machinery will be needed to be hired to install it. The ship’s rails also require attention to improve both appearance and safety.
Design work has commenced on replacement deck seating around the rails and as free-standing units on the deck.
These latter will be constructed in such a way as to allow for future fitting as life rafts should that become necessary.
Detailed work on the materials required (mostly hardwood) has been undertaken and we estimate that this alone will cost in the region of £10,000.
The Medway Queen Preservation Society is launching an appeal to raise £45,000 to cover the 2021 restoration and development work programme.
Donations can be made by cheque to “Medway Queen Preservation Society”, Gillingham Pier, Pier Approach Road, Gillingham, Kent ME7 1RX or online at via www.medwayqueen.co.uk.
