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A newspaper cutting that helped to start the PSPS Medway Queen withdrawn during the early days of the PSPS Alumchine - the steamer that the PSPS tried to acquire during its early years PSPS members at Margate in 1964 Charter of the Consul by the PSPS in 1961 PSPS Blackheath Model Rally in 1962 The PSPS charter of Princess Elizabeth to Torquay in 1965 A typical PSPS 'Nutter'
Committee members admiring a model paddle steamer in 1964 Letter from the PSPS patron - Sir John Betjeman Charter of the Bristol Queen to Tenby by the PSPS in 1967 Kingswear castle laid up on the River dart in Devon prior to purchase by the PSPS for £600 Kingswear Castle undergoing restoration at medway Bridge Marina during the 1970s Consul in the Upper Pool of London in 1963 Waverley on a PSPS charter during the early 1970s Waverley is sold to the PSPS for £1!
watch film of Waverley's first visit to London in 1978 The four PSPS members that travelled south with Waverley in 1978 Menu for the 25th Birthday dinner in 1984 Bernard Cox hands the plaque from the Freshwater to PSPS founder Alan Robinson at the Savoy Hotel in 1980 Menu from the 21st Birthday Dinner at the Savoy Hotel in 1980 Douglas McGowan, Johnathan Cohen and Pat Bushell at the Savoy in 1980 Balmoral departing from Great Yarmouth in 2003 Waverley and Kingswear Castle during the 'Grand Parade of Steam' in 1985

The Purchase of Waverley by the PSPS
Waverley is sold to the PSPS for just £1
Waverley on the River Medway in 2005 during the 'Parade of Steam' Buying a paddler for £1!

By 1974, Terry Sylvester reported to PSPS members that the original idea to make Waverley 'famous' had been hugely successful! He added that if Caledonian MacBrayne wanted to withdraw her, they would face a public outcry! The Waverley was thus offered to the PSPS for the sum of £1.

The Society immediately looked into what should be done and a survey was immediately carried out which reported that Waverley was in a basically sound condition. Repairs though would cost in the region of £100,000. If the steamer was to be operated, this would cost in the region of £200,000 a year. The Society now had two steamers and was in a position of great strength but also needed vast amounts of money and enthusiasm. It was with great pride that the PSPS saw Waverley re-enter service on the Firth of Clyde on Thursday 2nd May 1975 amid a blaze of publicity and emotion.

 

   

 

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