White Funnel news – St. Trillo opened the season on Maunday Thursday and until mid-May is providing a daily service (Fridays excepted) linking Cardiff, Penarth, Weston and Barry. Cardiff Queen’s first sailing will be on May 9th when she will take over the Weston service from St. Trillo. Bristol Queen will make her first trip on May 13th and on the following day will operate the first trip to Lundy.

Cosens & Co. – Embassy returned to Weymouth Harbour from Portland at the end of April having undergone a load-line survey. Sailings commence on May 31st. The pattern of last season will be followed except that Embassy will not sail to the Isle of Wight on Sundays but will maintain the Swanage service. Cosens have had Red Funnel motor vessels Vecta and Balmoral for overhaul recently.

South coast & continental steamers – Consul has undergone a very extensive overhaul this winter. The vessel has reverted to a black hull and the yellow funnel with black top and white band. Basically she will be operating a daily Lulworth Cove service but there will be trips to Portland Harbour.

Scottish notes – On the Clyde, all four paddlers are ready for the opening of the summer season. Talisman has been Sunday and standby vessel at Gourock since January. Caledonia, Waverley and Jeanie Deans have each been on the slip at Laments, Port Glasgow. Duchess of Hamilton has had new outer funnels fitted, and her underwater body has been shot-blasted and re-painted. This should assist her to hold off the challenge made last summer by Duchess of Montrose for the title of fastest Clyde steamer. The only news from Loch Lomond is that Ardlui pier will not be open for 1964. Maid of the Loch will cruise to the head of the loch in place of the call at Ardlui.

London & Home Counties Branch – The Models section, under its organiser, Arthur Rickner, staged a comprehensive display at the Woolwich Arts Council’s Exhibition. Amongst the attractions was an illustrated lecture by Mr E.C.B. Thornton, MBE, MIEE, entitled ‘British Paddle Steamers Past & Present’.

Wessex Branch – A meeting took place on February 22nd – there were forty-six members present. A film show was given by the Society’s Curator, Mr Bernard Cox, entitled ‘Paddle Parade’.