CHILDREN from Hythe Primary School rode the waves twenty five years ago this week as they were given a tour of the QE2. The group of 54 juniors from the school aged between nine and ten joined other school children from around the South to visit the ship as part of British Shipping Month, back in October 1990. The event was one of 15 taking place throughout the country, at ports from Aberdeen in the north to Plymouth in the South, where ships were opened up and put on show to the youngsters, with experts on hand to give out information and answer questions about a life at sea.

Cunard Line were the hosts as the children were shown around the impressive QE2 which stood 13 decks high, was long as three football pitches and was powered by nine engines. The children at Hythe were completing a topic at the time in their studies called "Ships at Sea" and headmaster Mr Paul Dudley was with no doubt that the children’s visit would be a valued experience.