Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,658
So as far as Sue and Vic are concerned it all boils down to nothing must change because it has always been like that in the past.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,983
Jan I want to try and put a positive side to this.Over the weekend I will write to a senior person in the British a Legion to see if we can reform a branch of the British Legion.I know some x servicemen belong to the Downs branch .
I meet these guys at special services.
If we could put our energy into being positive.
like the lady who sends the parcels.
There will be a special concert in the Town Hall in November.Perhaps some of the people who signed the petition would like to help sell tickets .It would be lovely to see a packed Town Hall.
Guest 1334- Registered: 7 Sep 2014
- Posts: 30
Once again the word "I"appears so very often in the posts of Vic and Sue. Problem is, the electorate think differently. Had either of you been at the meeting on 3/9/14 you would have see the majority of DT Cllrs were for the flag. Also, a large number who have signed the petition are ex forces who have come out in droves , offer to raise and strike the flag if that is what's wanted and so many people have offered to pay towards the flagpole. A flag flies permanently at the Cenotaph , Admiral the Lord Boyce fully supports it and so do many veterans that came up to sign . Some were terribly upset at the lack of respect on DDay, as was Dame Vera Lynn, and no service either on Forces day. When I spoke with the mayor initially about 4 August she stated there was only a very short ceremony planned as she had a previous engagement. Some at DDC encouraged a bit more effort. If nothing else comes from this, it will not be a wasted effort ànd something might be done for a Dover branch of veterans. They used to be in Dover. Why did they leave? It is so striking that people are now telling me what I should be doing. What were you doing when they were still here and could have been helped? Hindsight is a wonderful thing isn't it but please do not put your failure in my shoes. Yes it has been enough Vic. People are absolutelý sick of not being listened to. Remember the role and code of conduct of a cllr. For your information, I am either Augusta or Mrs Pearson. Anything else is a tad sarcastic and we do not resort to that surely? I do voluntary work in a charity shop. And if it is of any intrest I have had a meeting at DDC where setting up a charity for homeless ex forces, amongst others, like helping out veterans was discussed at length .it has not been mentioned because , as you may know, it is rather involved and time consuming. My first priority is getting the flagpole up as it appears more efficient to focus on 1 project at a time. Then further meetings will be held. I will look to you both to help out all you can and also to put a donation in the hat. I respect forces, ex forces and veterans like nothing else so respect for any time served in the forces. My husband was in for 26 years and as his wife I followed where he went so maybe a little bit of what they respect like our flag has rubbed off on me and I will never apologise for wanting to see union flags on every public building, every park , public place, school and anywhere else it can be flown with pride. Lets ask HRH Prince Harry, hopefully he has the time to reply to the letter sent.
Honi soit qui mal y pense
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
a flag is a flag that needs putting on a pole asap outside the town council offices.no ifs or buts it needs to be flying.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
The word I is used by yourself a lot .
But moving on the Dover Branch closed because of membership .You need a working committee and that could not be found at the time.
As for myself I have nothing more to add.
Guest 1334- Registered: 7 Sep 2014
- Posts: 30
What, no offer of help or a donation? Quelle surprise!
Honi soit qui mal y pense
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Does anyone know when this issue goes to committee and also who will be on it?
The town council website is down, although that is usually out of date and they have taken down their Facebook page.
Guest 1334- Registered: 7 Sep 2014
- Posts: 30
Howard, it appears a surveyor is carrying out "visualisation exercise" - so it can be seen what the proposals entail. Once this is done the council will be in a position to approach DDC for pre-planning advice. The answer , as is usual, was given to another and she kindly passed it on to me. They are determined to exclude me. Yes their fb page was taken dowm. I asked the town clerk. That happened when I started posting questions on there that they wanted to evade or circumvent. I will not hold my breath for it to be up by remembrance day, unless HRH Prince Harry can intervene. I have written him a letter explaining events and obstructions put in place to date. Lets put it this way, his secretary was not impressed . He seemed pretty switched on and was going to check a few things out. There is ofcourse a short term solution that cuts out planning permission, health and safety and all the other reasons that they will roll out so as not to put the pole up and I am working on that.
Honi soit qui mal y pense
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,658
Who owns the shop wall where the benches are/were, maybe a flag could be hung from there if all else fails.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 1334- Registered: 7 Sep 2014
- Posts: 30
I will remind you of what the mayor said to DE when asked that if the clock could be wound back, would she do anything different? This , you will remember related to the complete disregard of D Day. " no I don't think so, it's not the council's responsibility". No further explanation required. To go back to Sue' s very first posting on the flag topic. Do tell, was it you Mr Mayor who arranged for the flag to fly on the Town Hall on 3 September? NO. Was it you Sue? NO. So please stop crowing about it because you did zilch to fly that flag. You had even forgotten it was the anniversary of the start of WW2. Hang those hats in shame.
Honi soit qui mal y pense
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,983
Augusta,
I must correct you .It was me as DDC Chairman who arranged for the flag to be flown on August 4th when The Town Mayor and I held a joint service at 9.15am Again on the 3rd September the flag was raised for merchant navy day also at the Norwegian garden .if you speak to any officer of the council they will tell you how hot I m at protocol.In the last 27 years I have attended many civic events .Im now going to Sandwich for Battle of Britain wreath laying.
Guest 1334- Registered: 7 Sep 2014
- Posts: 30
Well Sue I contacted DDC and asked them to fly the flag for 3 Sep. Anniversary of WW2 starting. I have email and reply to back that up. The reply was not: " we have already made arangements to raise our Union Flag " but " thanks for the heads up, will see what we can do. " In my book that is either the head not knowing what the tail is doing or one of us being wrong. Experience, short though it has been,, has taught me to get everything in writing where DTC is involved. I have also had meetings with the Leader and he informed me that the flag flying policy is being/ has been reviewed since then.Another was also there so I am not sucking this out of my thumb. Wreath laying is part of the job but I do not realy need to be informed of your diary commitments. I promise I won't tell you of every hour I spend and have spent so far getting signatures or voluntary work. If a person has to mention every deed so it is public knowledge, it tends to minimise the value in the eyes of others of that job, don't you agree?
Honi soit qui mal y pense
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Whilst we are on the subject of Flags, wreaths, ceremonials etc there was a short service and parade at the Battle of Britain memorial site in Capel this morning to commemorate Battle of Britain day, only knew about it afterwards.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,983
A lovely service at Sandwich also.Augusta I can assure that the flag would have flown on Merchant Navy Day.whether you rang DDC or not .My PA has everything documented having done it for over Ten Years.The flag will be flown on Remembrance Day .Last year unfortunately the flag pole broke just before the service started .
I have made enquiries re reforming a Dover Branch of the Royal British Legion.It will go before the area committee next time they meet.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,983
Augusta I was a few doors away when you met Cllr Watkins and Mr Hill.At DDC one hand does know what the other is doing .A few steps away and you could have joined me for coffee.
Guest 687- Registered: 2 Jun 2009
- Posts: 513
A small aside, I have in the past 3 weeks had on 2 occassions to visit the town of Brivio in Italy(sharing a name with the Mayor) and lo and behold the Italian flag flies everywhere, not just civic buildings. Throughout Europe national flags fly everywhere. including many from flagpoles in peoples gardens. A flag is a focal point for people to show their allegiance to the country of birth or adoption.
Guest 1334- Registered: 7 Sep 2014
- Posts: 30
Well Sue as long as the coffee is strong and you give me a biscuit I would bè happy to accept your invitation.
Honi soit qui mal y pense
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,658
There will always someone who will dislike the sighting wherever the pole is put, the important thing is to listen to the population and then go with the majority.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
The majority have not said anything