Grand Duke Michael on Medway (1897)

Post date: Feb 19, 2014 11:15:40 AM

Extract from South Eastern Gazette of 7th August 1897 (with thanks to Chris Davies)

A DISTINGUISHED BOATING PARTY ON THE MEDWAY- on Thursday afternoon the Grand Duke Michael of Russia and Countess Torbay with a few friends, enjoyed a pic-nic on the Medway. Countess Adda Marenberg, Earl de la Warr, Miss Warner, Miss Hamilton Grace, Mr. Sharple, Mr. Warner, and the Rev. H. Masters completed the party for whose accommodation Mr. Avery, of Tovil and Wateringbury, provided very handsome craft. The Grand Duke and his friends journeyed to Wateringbury by train from Tunbridge Wells, in which neighbourhood His Imperial Highness has lately taken a house for the season. The party rowed from Wateringbury to Teston and back, the Grand Duke expressing delight with the beautiful river scenery and satisfaction with Mr. Avery's excellent boats.

The Grand Duke was living in exile from Russia and eventually settled in the UK. For details of his life see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Duke_Michael_Mikhailovich_of_Russia.

For more about Avery see Wateringbury Hero