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A newspaper cutting that helped to start the PSPS Medway Queen withdrawn during the early days of the PSPS Alumchine - the steamer that the PSPS tried to acquire during its early years PSPS members at Margate in 1964 Charter of the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

London Branch Members at the Blackheath Models Rally in 1962
Arthur Rickner and Harold Collard Stone - two longstanding PSPS members at the Blackheath Model Rally in 1962
A model steam boat at the 1963 Blackheath Rally Branches of the Society are Formed

Soon after its foundation, the Society formed several branches around the UK to further promote paddle steamers in each area as well as offering social and other events for its members. One of the first branches to be formed was the London & Home Counties in October 1960. The Bristol Channel branch was formed at the Royal Hotel, Bristol on 30th October 1960.

The photograph above shows members of the London & Home Counties branch of the Society at a specially organised model boat rally at Blackheath Pond in 1962. These boat rallies became very popular both with modellers and the public alike and many fine models of paddle steamers were shown. Large crowds were drawn to these events and the PSPS always had a stand to publicise the Society, paddle steamer heritage as well as encouraging members of the public to support the dwindling number of paddle steamers during the 1960s. These model rallies survived until the 1980s.

The two figures seated in this photograph are Harold Collard Stone (left) and Arthur Rickner (right). Both men were keen paddle steamer enthusiasts and early members of the Society as well as showing a great interest in the heritage of Thames and Medway paddle and pleasure steamers. Arthur was the organiser of the event from the 1960s until its demise.

 

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