A children’s charity with strong Medway links is marking 175 years.
Shaftesbury Young People began its association with the Towns when it docked its ship, The Arethusa, in Lower Upnor in 1933.

David Bunce was on the training ship from October 1946-48.

He was being looked after by guardians who decided he was a bit of a handful so sent him for navy training on the vessel.

It was his ambition to be in the Merchant Navy.

The 80-year-old said: “We slept in hammocks and if you didn’t tidy them away, the ship officers would give you a clip with the cane.

“We had to do lots of chores like scrubbing the deck and even in winter we never wore shoes.

“In 1948 conditions had got so bad all the boys decided to host a mutiny; about 160 boys on the boat marched through Chatham.

“We got into quite a lot of trouble; we were lined up and were read the riot act.”

His training at the Arethusa helped him get into the Merchant Navy, serving for five years.

Now he is the secretary of the Arethusa Old Boys’ Association and organises yearly meets for the group of boys who trained on the ship.

All these years on, the ship has been replaced by the Arethusa Venture Centre, which is still in Lower Upnor, and continues to help children with outdoor education for schools, organisations, youth groups, individuals and corporate visitors.

Office manager Vicky Bavin organises the school visits.

She is one of the longest-serving members of staff and has been there 21 years.

She started on a six-week contract to organise the Medway Mile through the Medway Tunnel as a fundraiser.

She said: “What’s changed the most in 20 years is the technology. We used to write things on postcards and now we have multiple websites.
“I think I’ve stayed here so long because I just love seeing the children come in on the first day feeling nervous and shy then by the end of the week they are confident.

“If I’ve managed to make a difference to just one child that makes it all worthwhile.

“We try our best to fit with the times and follow trends. We started an outdoor survival course, so the children can be like Bear Grylls.

“Our next plan is to put on a health and wellbeing course to reduce childhood obesity.

“The children will be able to do fun activities and then learn about healthy eating from our chefs in the kitchen.”

To mark the anniversary tomorrow (Friday), the charity will host a party at Esher Place, Surrey, one of its residential homes for girls which ran from 1930-1952.