Police World Edition 1 2015

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Article
POLICE WORLD Vol 60 No. 1, 2015 8
Kent Branch Trip into London on The River Thames
Kent Branch’s social activities continued
aboard the MV Princess Pocahontas. Members
took a boat trip on the Thames from Gravesend
to Chelsea and back. The Pocahontas, as she is
known locally, is operated by The Lower Thames
and Medway Passenger Boat Company.
On the outward journey, the captain delivered
a continuous commentary on all the sights and
sites. We reached Greenwich and some of our
passengers opted for the two and a half hour
stop off to sample the local market, restaurants
and pubs there. Others took the chance to
visit the Cutty Sark. The branch visited this
magnificent attraction last year on a social event
that concentrated on the Greenwich area.
Back aboard Pocahontas, the captain resumed
his narration. We went under Tower Bridge,
which was an amazing sight at water level. We
passed under London Bridge and enjoyed views
of The Globe Theatre, St Paul’s Cathedral, the
Millennium Wheel, the Houses of Parliament and
Battersea Power Station.
The length of the trip is dependent on the tide.
On the day, we were lucky and timed it perfectly -
making it all the way to Chelsea.
It was a day with a difference, seeing parts of our
lovely county, and our wonderful capital city, from
the River Thames.
Mick Abbott
Fifty members of Kent branch enjoyed a perfect sightseeing day, visiting The Shard, London. The
action didn’t stop there as they also made time for ‘A Medway Mosaic’ trip - a Blue Badge guided tour
of the Hoo Peninsular. Mick Abbott, Kent branch’s Social Secretary reports.
Our day started well as were also
able to get a glimpse of the early
display of the Remembrance Day
poppies as we passed the Tower of London.
Thanks to our driver, Bruce, for agreeing to
take us that way.
The weather was bright and sunny so the
views from the top of the Shard and across
London and beyond were as good as we could
have wished for .
For lunch we went to The Sir John Falstaff
pub, between Gravesend and Rochester. The
pub is a stone’s throw from Charles Dickens’
house, Gads Hill Place, which is now a school.
Our guide, Dawn, met us at the pub and we
set off for a tour of The Hoo Peninsula, on the
Isle of Grain. The Hoo Peninsula separates
the estuaries of the rivers Thames and
Medway. Dawn pointed out many places and
items of interest in the region including St
James Church in Cooling - which although
de-consecrated, is recognised as a ‘museum’
church.
Charles Dickens used the churchyard of
St James as his inspiration in the opening
chapter of Great Expectations, where the
hero, Pip, meets Magwitch the convict. The
site, with marshes stretching
north to the Thames estuary, is
dramatically desolate and bleak
in winter. Here, you can find what
have become known as ‘Pip’s
Graves’ - the forlorn gravestones of
13 babies that Dickens describes in
the chapter as “ little stone lozenges
each about a foot and a half long,
which were arranged in a neat row
beside their parents’ graves.”
Our last visit on this fascinating trip
was to Rochester Cathedral and
High Street. Dawn gave us a guided
tour of the Cathedral, England's
second oldest, having been founded
in 604AD by Bishop Justus.
The glorious Norman architecture of the nave,
parts of the crypt, as well as one of the finest
Romanesque façades in England, make this
an inspirational place to visit.
After a very successful and enjoyable day
members then took a well-earned ‘cuppa’ in
one of the quaint high street cafes, before
returning to Maidstone.
Mick Abbott
Editor’s note:
Mick is quite happy for members to contact
him if they want more information on this trip
and the guide service used.
Contact:
Enjoying views from the Shard building
Onboard the Princess Pocahontas