Evening Aboard Medway Queen - Thursday 3rd July

At the start of July, supporters of the Cathedral were welcomed aboard the historic paddle steamer Medway Queen for an evening reception. Moored at Gillingham Pier, the vessel is celebrated as one of the heroines of Dunkirk, having rescued over 7,000 troops during the evacuation.

Guests learned about the ship’s remarkable journey—from active service, to a nightclub on the Isle of Wight, to dereliction, and finally to her return to the Medway. Since 1985, the Medway Queen Preservation Society has worked tirelessly to restore her, supported by a significant Heritage Lottery grant.

Music from the King’s School Jazz Band provided an atmospheric backdrop while Trustee Mark Bathurst led mini tours of the vessel, sharing her extraordinary story. Although Vice Patron Professor Simon Heffer was unable to attend due to travel delays, his talk on Dunkirk will take place in 2026. The evening offered a special opportunity to connect with an important piece of maritime history.