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A newspaper cutting that helped to start the PSPS Medway Queen withdrawn during the early days of the PSPS Alumchine - the steamer that the PSPS tried to acquire during its early years PSPS members at Margate in 1964 Charter of the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

At Last a Steamer!
Kingswear Castle laid up on the River Dart prior to preservation by the PSPS
The bow carving of Kingswear Castle whilst being restored on the River Medway Kingswear Castle on the River Dart, 1965

By 1965, the PSPS was aware that the Kingswear Castle would be withdrawn. At the time, it expected that only four or five paddlers would be in service by 1970. Kingswear Castle and Totnes Castle were seen as the best options for the future. The Society felt though that any such undertaking would require 'vast amounts of talent, money and above all enthusiasm amongst members' and that it would be a 'serious business'. Kingswear Castle is seen above laid-up in 1965 on the River Dart in Devon..

By 1966, the PSPS Chairman felt that the Society was at a crossroads as it needed to find a direction 'now that the day of the commercial paddle steamers and even of the paddle ferry was almost finished'.

 

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