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The
Name
The Society was given its name at its first meeting
held at the Mission to Seamen, Queens Terrace, Southampton
on Sunday 8th November 1959. 15 persons were present
at the meeting when Mr P. Ellis proposed that the new
society be called the 'Paddle Steamer Preservation Society'.
The proposal was seconded by Mr E.T. Randle. All present
at the meeting were satisfied with the name.
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The
PSPS Magazine
The
first issue of the journal was issued in March 1960
and was known as 'Paddle Wheels' from the start. It
has had many editors over the past fifty years but
the most prominant have been Russell Plummer, John
Stay and Myra Allen.
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The
Badge
At a meeting held on 13th November 1960, a discussion
took place on the design of a PSPS badge. Mr Roberts
and Mr Gotley suggested that a badge with a paddle
box emblem was designed. Mr Gotley further suggested
that a Society tie and car badge be produced with
the paddle box emblem. The
Central Committee in 1960, approved the design of
a badge drawn by member A.H White as the offical emblem.
It was felt that the design with slight alterations
might form a suitable lapel badge in the future. The
initial cost of producing a quantity of badges was
330.
The
first order for the Society tie was for a royal blue
tie with the paddle box crest in gold with red paddle
wheels. Ties were sold to members for 10 shillings
and sixpence.
It
was decided that the PSPS lapel badge would include
the design of the PSPS flag at a meeting of the Society
on 7 July 1961. The cost of each badge was 4 shillings
to members.
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The
Flag
A PSPS flag originated in 1960 and was first flown at
the Consul charter from Weymouth in September
1961. It was later flown at every PSPS charter. These
charters were particularly popular during the 1960s
and 1970s. It also became the design used on the Society
lapel badge. |
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Raffles
At the meeting held on 13th November 1960, Mr Southcombe
of Ilfracombe made a number of suggestions regarding
fundraising which included holding a raffle. Preparations
were then made to hold the first raffle before the
start of the 1961 season with the first prize of a
£5 book of excursion steamer tickets or a £5
Premium Savings Bond as a prize if a non-member won.
Raffles have been a quirky part of PSPS activities
since that time and have raised a huge amount of money
to preserve the three ships.
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Branches
The Bristol Channel branch was formed at a meeting
held at the Royal Hotel in Bristol when Captain Thomas,
Mr Cox, Mr Randall, Mr Roberts and Mr Gray spoke to
some 25 members and non-members of the Society and
a branch was duly formed. The first Chairman was Mr
H.G. Owen of Swansea.
The London & Home Counties branch was formed at
the Clwb y Cymry in March 1961.
The Wessex branch was formed at Bournemouth in September
1961.
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Patron
Initial suggestions for the Patron of the Society
included the Marquis of Bute, the Earl of Glasgow
and the Earl of Northesk.
Sir
John Betjeman - the Poet Laureate accepted the invitation
to become the Patron of the PSPS in early 1960 soon
after the formation of the Society and held the position
until his death in 1984. The position has remained
vacant since that date.
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