Dear Valued Supporters of PS Ruby,

We've reached a remarkable milestone – 500 signatures on our petition! Your overwhelming support has been crucial in bringing attention to the importance of PS Ruby in our community. Thank you to each and every one of you who signed, shared, and championed this cause.

**Current Situation Update:**

We want to address the recent developments regarding PS Ruby:

1. **Junction Rally Absence:** Unfortunately, PS Ruby was unable to attend the Junction Rally as planned. The vessel has partially submerged in shallow water.

2. **Silver Lining:** While this sounds alarming, the submersion in shallow water may actually help preserve the timber structure of the vessel for the time being.

3. **Council Commitment:** In a positive turn of events, the council has verbally agreed that PS Ruby will be maintained and preserved for future generations. This is a significant step forward and a direct result of our collective efforts.

**Next Steps:**

We're now focusing on formalizing the council's commitment:

1. **Memorandum of Agreement (MOA):** We're in the process of drafting an MOA with the council to outline the specifics of PS Ruby's preservation and future management.

2. **Community Involvement:** We'll be seeking input from the community as we develop this agreement to ensure it reflects our shared vision for PS Ruby.

3. **Long-term Planning:** Once the immediate preservation needs are addressed, we'll work on a long-term plan for potentially returning PS Ruby to operational status.

**How You Can Continue to Help:**

1. Stay engaged with updates and share them with your networks.
2. Attend any future community meetings regarding PS Ruby (we'll keep you informed of dates).
3. Consider volunteering your skills or time as we move forward with preservation efforts.

Your support has been instrumental in getting us to this point. While we faced an unexpected setback with PS Ruby's current condition, your voices have ensured that our beloved paddle steamer will not be forgotten or neglected.

We're committed to keeping you updated as we progress with the MOA and future plans for PS Ruby. Thank you for your continued support and patience as we navigate these new developments.

Together, we're ensuring that PS Ruby remains a cherished part of our community's heritage for generations to come.

Warm regards,

Paddleboat Pete (Peter Trevathan)
Champion for PS Ruby

P.S. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. We value your input as we move forward in this new chapter for PS Ruby.