Albeit the media etc., report this funding problem is resolved, far from the truth at present!
It seems that this problem re EU funding is far from resolved, some payment are still in dispute with the EU commission, and need further, to quote their remarks, adjustments before payment may be made!
The Medway Queen Preservation Society will receive ERDF payment for expenditures claimed in September only at present. (I can only presume this is September last)
However, the interruption of past payments is not yet officially lifted and some additional improvements from the DCLG are required in order to definitely lift the interruptions.
The next ERDF payment, due for June/July 2012 can still be affected with this situation.
The mind Boggles, at such people at times, matters little at the problems they cause, with the lack of urgency they seem to adopted, it matters litte to them as long as their saleries are avalible, then if not, a sense of urgency would prevail!
Len Knight MQPS.

Len I will be volunteering my skills as a carpenter of fifty years to work on the Medway Queen when it returns to Kent ,

Thanks for your offer Chipenter to make your skills available to the Medway Queen; sadly it will be some time before the hull is back. In the meantime your help would be appreciated at Gillingham Pier to man the Visitors Centre(weekends) urgently needed at present, if you so wished to help in the meantime, get to know all the lads as well, and look at carpenters shop if you wish to get involved sooner.
Please feel free to contact the Office at the Pier, or myself if you need advice.
Once again thanks for your kind offer, a lot of the original lads, like myself are getting past it, we need new younger blood to keep the project going in the end.
I enclose website for info, if you have not already seen it.
Len Knight.
http://www.medwayqueen.co.uk/

Good news at last ERDF interruption of payment to UK beneficiaries has now been officially lifted by the European Commission.

This now lifts most problems money wise re work a t Gillingham Pier carried out by apprentices and training staff and partnership Europe wise.

This is good news indeed.  Nice to see that the commission don't always take a decade to do something right

Great news Len, so presumably there won't be any further holdups with the project now?

It will be great to see the old lady restored to her former glory!

Regards
Eddy

Brilliant news Len    I Might be in the Gillingham area later this year, if so I'll try to visit the pier.  All the best in finding younger volunteers, we have the same problem in SSAFA and the model club.

The pressures of the 'modern world' often prevent the younger generations getting involved with much outside of work! Full credit to those who find the time - wish I could!

Hello all,
Good news, it seems that hand riveters may have been found to start work on aft end of the new hull for the Medway Queen being a complicated shape at last. The aft webcam at Bristol on the Medway Queen Website shows work starting, looks promising at least, only time will tell.
Len Knight.

Good news indeed Len....

I thought that the hull would have been completed by now, but I know that you and the rest of the team aren't the sort of chaps to give up, so there was never any doubt in my mind that these issues would be overcome!

Kind regards
Eddy

Hello Eddy,
In a perfect world, the hull would have been back at Gillingham Pier months ago, now progressing in its second fitting, sadly all a pipe dream in our present world.
Our 27 years as a project have been plague with problems, albeit powers to be seem to sympathize, and give the impression of wanting to help, do nothing but put obstacles in our path at times it seems.
However, we have not come this far to see it go pear shape without a fight, I think we will soon have a battle with the MCA over moving the hull from Bristol to Gillingham, re towing  back, we will see.
Some say I worry too much, but no smoke without fire is my guide.
Regards, Len.