Work on the restoration of the historic paddler Medway Queen is continuing.
The major project has been the rebuilding of the starboard paddle box fascia, which was found to be suffering from the effects of weather.
Timber for the reconstruction was purchased from Morgan’s Timber and delivered to the pier.
Another significant project for early 2023 is the provision of onboard toilet facilities. With an ambition to use the ship as an event venue to raise money towards further restoration work, this provision is much needed.
The onboard toilet project has been planned in great detail by one of the volunteers and costed at £38,000 including a contingency allowance.
Two substantial grants have been promised towards this and other work, but the rest still has to be found and public to help address the shortfall are sought.
Visit Medway Queen in 2023
PS Medway Queen is berthed on Gillingham Pier (ME7 1RX) and will be open to visitors in 2023, on Saturdays from 29 January.
Guided ship tours are available at a reasonable cost from 11am to 4pm with last admission at 3pm.
There may be additional special events from time to time, announced on www.medwayqueen.co.uk.
Next year, 2024, sees the centenary of PS Medway Queen and in 2025 there will be another Dunkirk five-year anniversary to mark.
The Board are already discussing these milestones and additional ideas and contributions would be welcomed.
