Dunkirk Battle Honours Presented to PS Medway Queen

[PJ]

From: "Len Knight"
Date: Fri Oct 7, 2005  
Subject: Dunkirk Battle Honours Presented to PS Medway Queen by the GMB Union 22 September 2005

At 11 a.m. at the Damhead Creek base. A press-call was held regarding the Medway Queen, with a chance to view the Ship and to meet personnel. Those invited included Wyn Davies, Maritime Consultant for the Frazer Nash Group who are handling the Claim for Lottery help on behalf of the Medway Queen. Others present included Mary Turner, President of the GMB; Paul Maloney, Lead Officer, GMB Southern Region; John Kempton, Chairman of the Medway Queen Preservation Society; Brian Burton, Vice Chairman of the Medway Queen Preservation Society.

Also present were journalists from five local newspapers, and Jeff Moody, TV journalist, with a camera crew from Meridian Television.

Later at the Historic Dockyard, Chatham. The party met at the restored Medway Queen funnel and paddle-boxes, where the GMB presented a replacement Dunkirk plaque, the original having been stolen when the Ship was on the Isle of Wight. Those attending the presentation included Mr Bill Ferris, Chief Executive for The Dockyard Trust; The Mayor of Medway, Mr Ken Webber, and his wife, Anita; Mr Paul Clark, MP for Gillingham; Mr Jonathan Shaw, MP for Aylesford and Chatham; Mr Paul Skinner, EMP; Mary Turner, President of the GMB; Mr Keith Hazelwood, National Secretary of the GMB; Mr Paul Kenny, Acting General Secretary; Mr Paul Maloney, Local Lead Officer, South-east.

Mr Ferris said that The Historic Dockyard fully supported the Medway Queen Project and that he was pleased to have the funnel and paddle-box display there. He wondered if the Medway Queen was slowly being moved into the Dockyard "by stealth"!

Brian Burton stated that the Medway Queen is our legacy. He felt sure that people would not begrudge lottery money being given to this Project, and that we appear to stand on the threshold of success. He introduced John Kempton and other members of the Medway Queen committee.

Mary Turner said that she is proud of the work done by the GMB Members, who have given so much support and are prepared to come forward and show skills to younger people. On behalf of the Union she presented the Dunkirk Battle Honours to John Kempton, "with great pride".

Jonathan Shaw, MP, a long-time ardent supporter of the Project, thanked the GMB for the plaque and pledged his continued support. At 2.30 pm the GMB invited the party on board the Kingswear Castle for a two-hour cruise, during which two Union members were presented with long-service awards.

The whole day was a momentous occasion, topped off by blue skies and sunshine. A brilliant time was had by all and much good-will was engendered.

(Copied from Friends of the P.S Medway Queen at Yahoo.groups)
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[PJ]

From: "Len Knight"
Date: Fri Oct 7, 2005  3:17 am
Subject: Showing the press around the ship

The thought of showing the press around the Medway Queen in her present state after last winter's cruel seas filled me with horror. Meridian Television had previously used archive film showing her in different stages of distress. The GMB offer of the presentation of the Dunkirk plaque gave us an excellent reason to try to bring her back to life, perhaps for the last time.

Enthusiasm once again drove the small band of members to turn out with their paint-pots to paint the lower decks and also to hang over the side to paint the hull, but on the day, with flags flying, she looked as well as anyone could expect. A few members were quite surprised. There is life in the old girl yet, and this proved it, even at 81!

The press turned out to take up my invitation – five newspapers and a television crew! I was pleasantly surprised as it could have been just the parish magazine, and that's that!

Mr Wyn Davies did interview after interview and different members of the society and union took their turn. The press in turn treated us well, with headlines like "Much-loved Queen wants to be crowned", and "The steamer that saved thousands of troops is lined up for crucial £2m Grant".

The Dockyard gathering and speeches were excellent, most with the common theme of the enthusiasm that is found when people talk of the Medway Queen. Mary Turner presented John Kempton with the Dunkirk plaque, who gave a few words of thanks.

The cruise on the Kingswear Castle rounded off an excellent day.

Thank you to the GMB Union for sponsoring this day – it is a day that will be remembered for a long time.

Brian Goodhew, Press Officer MQPS.

(Copied from Friends of the P.S Medway Queen at Yahoo.groups)
Subscribe to this group at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/medwayqueen[/i]