Ahoy from the QE2 Story Team, welcome to our April newsletter
Hi everyone, it's Lynda reporting now that I'm back from a fabulous cruise on Queen Mary 2, then an equally fabulous stay onboard Queen Elizabeth 2 Hotel in Dubai. I think that Rob's done a brilliant job in my absence, ensuring you did not miss the March newsletter.
This month we feature two important April events in the life of QE2
We give you an update on the get together in Glasgow planned for 4 May
Give you the low-down on the Dry Docking of QE2
Provide information on the Photo Competition
Keep you updated on some of the recent posts
Hope you find something of interest - please email us any other suggestions, or better still, post a topic on the forum about it.
Lynda Bradford
18 April - an important date in QE2's life
Handover:
Handover - 18 April 1969:50 years ago last week, QE2 officially became a Cunard ship. Anthony Hepper representing Upper Clyde Shipbuilders, and Sir Basil Smallpeice, representing Cunard, carried out the handover, at a private ceremony in London.
Michael Gallagher has given a very informative account in the "50 years ago -Handover" topic including a description of the raising of the Cunard flag:
"With three triumphant blasts on her whistle the Cunard flag was hauled up by coxswain Andrew McGregor at 1315 hours as the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders flag – which had flown over QE2 since her arrival in Southampton on 2 January – was lowered."
The Cunard flag would fly above QE2 for the next 14,468 days or 39 years seven months and nine days.
Photo: Michael Gallagher collection
18 April - an important date in QE2's life
Rebirth as a hotel ship:
18 April 2018, was also a significant date in the life of QE2 when she started her new life as a hotel ship in Dubai.
The occasion certainly created a bit of excitement in the forum as we eagerly sought news and pictures.
Celebrate the first anniversary of the opening day by reliving the memories. Have a look at the photos and comments posted on the Opening Day and Queen Mary 2 visits topic
Happy Anniversary QE2 - wishing you continued success in your new role!
Photo : Lynda Bradford
QE2 50 Years Maiden Voyage Event - May 4th 2019
Closing date for ticket sales 24 April
We still have some tickets left for this event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the maiden transatlantic voyage - see the following web page for full details.
Firstly, circumstances permitting, PS Waverley is opening to us for a tour - quite a privilege because she's normally closed to the public at this time. This will be in one or two small groups, so you'll get to ask the crew any questions you have about this magnificent vessel.
Then we move to the offices of the historic Fairfield shipyard - the boardroom no less - for a light lunch, with presentation of two slideshows - and a special viewing of the wonderful "Magic Ride" film in between. The second slideshow is of the "unseen" QE2 slides that Rob Lightbody purchased on eBay.
At a very reasonable cost of £30, which includes a light lunch and a bus transfer between venues, this will be a great QE2 Story get together. We are looking forward to meeting you at this special event!
Dry Docking Revealed
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Q - Do you know what that large hole above the starboard propeller in the hull is for?
A - Responses suggested that it was an observation porthole to view the propellers.
Thanks to everyone who supports the Photo Competitions and especially those who let us see fabulous QE2 photos that we would not otherwise have seen. Every month you have the opportunity to upload three photos of your choice that fit the monthly theme and you can vote for your favourite photos for the previous months competition.
VOTE: The poll for the March competition, "QE2 with snow or ice" closes on 1 May. If you have not yet voted, please log in and take a few minutes to enjoy the photos and choose your 3 favourites.
ENTER: The theme for the April competition "QE2 - it's all in the detail" allows for quite a wide interpretation that has resulted in some fabulous photos being uploaded. Closing date for entries 30 April.
The prize this month is the book The QE2 Story by Chris Frame and Rachelle Cross, donated by Isabelle Prondzynski. Alternatively, June Ingram is offering a jigsaw of the prizewinning picture. Enter to have a chance of winning and the choice will be yours - which will it be?
Congratulations to the winner and runner up of the February competition "QE2 with Tugs". Cunarder Man had both a winner and runner up picture and Clydebuilt1971 runner up photo. Fabulous photos that you can see on the Photo Competition results topic.
The QE2 Story team send out this monthly newsletter to forum members, plus people who have subscribed directly through Mailchimp. We hope you enjoy reading it and we would love to hear from you at admin@theqe2story.com if you have any suggestions for future articles or improvements you would like to suggest.
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Thank-you for your continued support for the QE2 Story Forum. We know how special the ship is to everyone onboard the forum and we appreciate the contributions that are made to keep her memory alive.
Q - Do you know what that large hole above the starboard propeller in the hull is for? 
