Christmas Lights Turn-on!
25 November 2007
This is the first time we are able to load the Comments section onto the frontpage, so a milestone at work here. It is not on the frontpage as yet but later when its complete. (It is now!!)
Did you enjoy the great Switch-On...let us know, its easy peasy. Just add your comment below.
(Scroll down to see the new Comments added below!)
Sat 24: The time is heading towards 4.30 and a great surge of humanic tide moves slowly down Castle Street in the direction of the sungod of pulsating rhytmn. Yes the music belts out from Market Sq and attracts the mass tide of wide eyed wonderment. Whats going on? Its the great Christmas Light switch-on, thats what.
A very good crowd is already there and all staring in agogment (he! he!) at the newly positioned stage. On said stage as I arrive are the DCAL girls doing what can only be described as some sort of line dance routine..rolling their hands about, turning this way, then that, and most of the time getting it right! The tall one at the back is our New York scribbler Saskia W-S.
I am joined by cronies ColetteB and JanT and after a few minutes we tear ourselves away from the excitement and head to the Dickens Inn where a photoshoot of the stars has been arranged by Town Centre Manager David Somers. Upstairs we go where a fair few have already gathered awaiting the scheduled arrival of entertainers Dave Lee, pantomime regular, and the lovely Hilary O'Neill.
In no time at all they are with us and the newspapers and myself begin taking pictures. Its good taking pictures of professional entertainers as they know the score, they've seen it all before. They move this way and that with an easy flow.This brings us nicely to the picture above left.
From Left to right. Charlotte Revell of CMS, who can look like the spitting image of Julia Roberts on occasion, then the lovely Hilary O'Neill star of stage an screen, then top friend Suzanne Robinson of CMS, and then the larger than life Dave Lee. The stars are with us, of course, courtesy of The Marlowe Theatre where they appear in the latest pantomime production of Aladdin.
Always nice to see the Mayoral chains at these events, and here we have Deal's Mr Jim Cronk and his lovely lady wife Una on the left, with of course Dover Mayor Bob Markham in the background on the right handside, with Cllr Lynn Young, Mayoress, in the foreground. All doing an excellent job and adding an air of dignified tranquility to the process. The picture on the right shows the fun theatricals camping it up beautifully with some of the best looking exagerated kisses Ive every seen. Hilary and Dave again.
This is a lovely picture on the left of all the DCAL girls delicately cascading down the stairs with the handsomely debonair Bob Markham, Mayor of Dover, on the left of picture. In the foreground we see Town Centre Manager, David Somers, who arranged not only a very good photoshoot in The Dickens Inn, but arranged along with colleague Sarah Farmer, the whole magical and successful event in Market Square.
And with all this talk of mayors and things, no doverforum photo spread ever seems complete without a picture of last year's Mayor, Jan Tranter. We almost caught her off guard here as she bounces up and down on Barry Wadsworth-Smiths knee. Ahhh nice one!
The final shot shows the ever wonderful and professional DCAL girls with a rather shy Santa Claus in the background. I was standing right next to this particular Santa, and even though I know him well, I didnt recognise who it was...do you??
After this very thirsty photo work a whole gang of enthusiastic cronies ambled, via the lovely light switch-on, over to La Salle Verte for the mulled wine and mince pies. Great stuff!
This is the first time we are able to load the Comments section onto the frontpage, so a milestone at work here. It is not on the frontpage as yet but later when its complete. (It is now!!) Did you enjoy the great Switch-On...let us know, its easy peasy. Just add your comment below.
(Scroll down to see the new Comments added below!)
Sat 24: The time is heading towards 4.30 and a great surge of humanic tide moves slowly down Castle Street in the direction of the sungod of pulsating rhytmn. Yes the music belts out from Market Sq and attracts the mass tide of wide eyed wonderment. Whats going on? Its the great Christmas Light switch-on, thats what.
A very good crowd is already there and all staring in agogment (he! he!) at the newly positioned stage. On said stage as I arrive are the DCAL girls doing what can only be described as some sort of line dance routine..rolling their hands about, turning this way, then that, and most of the time getting it right! The tall one at the back is our New York scribbler Saskia W-S.
I am joined by cronies ColetteB and JanT and after a few minutes we tear ourselves away from the excitement and head to the Dickens Inn where a photoshoot of the stars has been arranged by Town Centre Manager David Somers. Upstairs we go where a fair few have already gathered awaiting the scheduled arrival of entertainers Dave Lee, pantomime regular, and the lovely Hilary O'Neill.
In no time at all they are with us and the newspapers and myself begin taking pictures. Its good taking pictures of professional entertainers as they know the score, they've seen it all before. They move this way and that with an easy flow.This brings us nicely to the picture above left.
From Left to right. Charlotte Revell of CMS, who can look like the spitting image of Julia Roberts on occasion, then the lovely Hilary O'Neill star of stage an screen, then top friend Suzanne Robinson of CMS, and then the larger than life Dave Lee. The stars are with us, of course, courtesy of The Marlowe Theatre where they appear in the latest pantomime production of Aladdin.
This is a lovely picture on the left of all the DCAL girls delicately cascading down the stairs with the handsomely debonair Bob Markham, Mayor of Dover, on the left of picture. In the foreground we see Town Centre Manager, David Somers, who arranged not only a very good photoshoot in The Dickens Inn, but arranged along with colleague Sarah Farmer, the whole magical and successful event in Market Square.And with all this talk of mayors and things, no doverforum photo spread ever seems complete without a picture of last year's Mayor, Jan Tranter. We almost caught her off guard here as she bounces up and down on Barry Wadsworth-Smiths knee. Ahhh nice one!
The final shot shows the ever wonderful and professional DCAL girls with a rather shy Santa Claus in the background. I was standing right next to this particular Santa, and even though I know him well, I didnt recognise who it was...do you??
After this very thirsty photo work a whole gang of enthusiastic cronies ambled, via the lovely light switch-on, over to La Salle Verte for the mulled wine and mince pies. Great stuff!
- Hello Mandie, good to see you yesterday. Yes will certainly get a picture or two over to you, no problem there.
- Great Photos Paul, a fun day was had by all, the new position of the Stage & Roadshow worked very well, there seem to be more space. The professionalism of Hilary & Dave shone through, turning this way & that and even Hilary was giving advice to the girls on the best way to stand, as in drop that shoulder etc. Following the Christmas Lights-switch on, Mulled wine & scrumptious mince pies with cream was enjoyed by the ever increasing throng in La Salle Verte there must have been over 20 of us gathered ther enjoying the festive occasion. A Great Afternoon, Well Done TCM!
- Lovely Photo's Paul, it really was a very enjoyable time and Hilary and Dave were very friendly, approachable & lots of fun. Great to see so many friends there in such a Festive & Happy mood, Well Done to David and Sarah at TCM you have started off the the Christmas cheer in earnest.
A big thankyou to Hadyn and team at La Salle Verte for putting up with so many of us, we really enjoyed the Mulled wine and delicious hot mince pies, Mmmmm.
Ah, Mother Hen, your chicks were a credit to you. - Great pics, it looks as though you had a great time, I like the new addition of being able to comment on the latest feature on the Home Page, it gives it a completely new feel. Well Done!
- Great Pictures, not been well so unfortunately I missed it. DCAL girls looking gorgeous as ever and no doubt working as hard as ever, go girls!!
Looks like a missed out on alot of fun.
Love Michelle x - Great pix! As always, it was lovely to see everyone - we thought the TCM did a great job.
Dave and Hilary slotted effortlessly into the occasion, entertaining all present. It was a particular treat for Charlotte who had worked with Dave Lee eleven years previous at the Marlowe Theatre, and so enjoyed a quick catch-up.
Thanks also to Hayden at the Salle Verte for accomodating us all and for NOT putting a broom in our hand at the end of the day as threatened! - good turn out on saturday and picture,s look good DCAL you always look good for dover, enjoyed my wine and mince pie to round off the afternoon.
- Paul, have you any photos of the entertainers on the stage outside?
Some of them were excellent, especially the youngsters.
Having delined Bob's kind invitation to a cup of tea in Dicken's Corner I stood with the crowd and watched the entertainment - it was great and those of all ages in the crowd were really getting into the spirit.
Mandie - will you please Email me at cllrnigelcollor@dover.gov.uk - Hellooooo Nigel
ah no alas I havent got any stage performances as only have access to limited flash equipment, I tried a shot of the DCAL girls performing but I didnt have enough power in me engine!!lol..as ever I concentrate on the portraits. Never saw you about my good man. - Paul B
Do you mean to tell us that Dover didnt have the real Santa??
Stewart - Whoops!! but of course it IS the real Santa Claus Stewart...my mistake. Apologies to kids of all ages everywhere. Any resemblance to that well know global warming legal challenger has been greatly exagerated !!lol
- lights do brighten up Dover
- people say they prefer plain white lights
i like the coloured ones - I like all kinds of lights Keef as long as it cheers the area up for Christmas.. As I see from a posting from RogerW elsewhere on doverforum - see Dover Loyalty Scheme on main menu, local trade appears to be sluggish so lets hope the lights cheer the place up and get the shoppers out. Dover needs the business.
- noticed in York there lights were poor
but they had 1,000's of visitors as the shops were inviting
al lshops packed
still think Dover can learn from them
What a fabby day, and so many people all wanting to get into festive mode.
Dave Lee and Hilary O' Neil were such lovely people.
Not forgetting the great VIP's like yourself Paul and the adorable Collette, who now knows my manners are JUST THE BEST lolololololol She knows what I am talking about "excuse me please" lololol
Brilliant day, lots of laughs, great company, what more could you ask for?