The Front Page - Copy 48 (RWalkden Manager, M Hodge Market Sq, Dover Past & Present)
22 November 2009
Say Hello to the
At last some level of common sense seems to have broken out here in Dover with the appointment of hard working downtown enthusiast Roger Walkden as Business Support Manager for Dover. This new position should probably be seen as a modernised update on the old Town Centre Manager principle, but with added galeforce gusto. This is an appointment given to Roger by the all new revamped and re-energised Dover Chamber of Commerce, one of the oldest Chambers in the entire country, but now with a new driving force for good.
Picture Left: Roger Walkden. The Chamber have a new management team in place and it looks pretty dynamic, with some considerable expertise on tap from a wide range of business, and with our own Barry Williams as Chairman. Yesterday at a launch event at the Town Council Offices, they showed themselves to the public for the first time in earnest, and introduced Roger Walkden as the new Business Support Manager, as mentioned above.
Cameron MacSween(President) made the opening speech and promised a new dynamic approach in planning, retail, and maritime...."We will be a listening Chamber, a supportive Chamber, and an active Chamber" and went on to endorse the notion that they are "not a talking shop!".
The Chamber will also embrace tourism and look at ways to ensure the visitor stays and spends in the town. With even more cruise liners promised for next year Cameron wants to see more of these visitors in particular staying here in Dover. Clearly it is good news to see tourism feature high on their agenda, as many feel it is an area that's been sorely neglected in recent years. And its very much an area of enterprise Roger Walkden is familiar with. The Chamber has of course much more on its agenda, we merely scratch the surface here.
This 'new' Chamber has widespread support, with both the DDC and the DHB in full unison. Mayor Sue Jones was also on hand to lend the Chamber full DTC support too. So all and all this new initiative is being widely encouraged. Barry Williams did refer to the fact that the Chamber had something of a low profile in the past, but that this is changing now for the better.
Picture on the left shows Roger discussing his new role with Andy Cooper. Andy is a leading light in the Dover War Memorial Project and now a member of Doverforum. On the right we have the Chairman of the Dover District Chamber of Commerce, Barry Williams himself, being interviewed by Doverforum's Colette Boland.
Although earth shattering initiatives were taking place in a packed room, Miss Precious slept through the whole preceedings without turning a hair. ColetteB took this picture and was immediately followed by all the other photographers in the room. For the moment alas alas, I forget her full name but will find out shortly, but she was there with her dad Cllr Chris Precious. She's a future councillor for sure. On the right hand side we have some of the bigwigs from the Chamber in full pose mode. Left to right, Paul Smye-Rumsby (Vice Chariman) Roger Walkden (Business Support Manager) Cameron MacSween (President) Barry Williams (Chairman) and David Foley (Chief Executive Officer). Name Update: Thalia Precious.
Dover Business Support Manager has an office at 23-25 Worthington St, kindly donated by Steve Davis of the Accommodation Shop. Roger can be contacted on 01304 229111.
* * *
are not giving up
You may have been hearing on your TV programmes about the inevitability of a clean Conservative sweep all across the nation, well nobody told the Labour guys in Dover that, as judging by the heavyweight turnout in Market Square recently, the fight is still very much on. There is possibly six months or so before the Election but the game is well and truly gathering pace. "This seat is not for turning!" say the Labourites. Current MP...Labour's Gwyn Prosser, has held this seat now through three elections and seems to be as popular as ever, although Charlie Elphicke, new whirlwind Conservative candidate with an engaging personality, is snapping at his heels.
Just a short time ago, with Gordon Brown's premiership at an all time low, the fight looked lost for Labour. But with Brown now enjoying a mild renaissance in the polls and with the economy showing signs of recovery, life may be picking up. Is that a green shoot sprouting over there! Well it could be, but dont rush with the fertiliser just yet!
You will recognise many of the main local Labour players in the picture above. The star attraction though next to Mr Prosser in the centre of the shot is Government Minister and familiar TV face Margaret Hodge ( lady with mauve scarf). Its not everyday you get the Local Labour Newspaper handed to you in Market Sq by a Government Minister. So as you can tell Labour are serious about this fight and Gwyn is not aiming to be kicked into the long grass just yet.
On the left you see a picture of my crumpled dog-eared copy of said newspaper in which Labour highlights the changes coming should you vote Tory...not least of all a return to Fox Hunting...so says the headline page two. Emotive yes, but its going to be a tough all round fight, during which emotions are sure to be running high. People are feeling the pain. PB
* * *
Dover
It isnt very often that one of our forumites launches a book but stone the crows, now we have had two books from two forumites in the past couple of months. There is suddenly an outbreak of literary prowess amongst the Doverforum faithful. First we had that scary epistle on all things ghostly around here by Lorraine Sencicle, called Haunted Dover, but now we have another new one from long long time Forum favourite Paul Wells and his fellow Western Heights enthusiast Jeff Howe. Paul Wells is of course also affectionately known as Scotchie. Their new book, called DOVER PAST & PRESENT, was officially launched yesterday in the warm and cosy confines of room 110 at The Dover Discovery Centre.
In horrible blustery and damp conditions we made our way there as darkness rolled in, proving that there is no challenge too great for the editorial team on Doverforum! Across a windswept Market Sq we powered, clutching our cameras to our boosoms and up the dizzy heights to a first floor room where Paul and Jeff were busy signing copies for enthusiasts. We were greated with a drink and a smile and mingled in for a chat, and only after the drink settled into the sinews did we whip out our cameras to capture the picture above. More on that in a moment.
The pictures from the book are truly fascinating. Many were being projected onto a screen as we enjoyed our drink and it is truly amazing to see how Dover has changed. It is jaw dropping. Beautiful piers and buildings have vanished over time, leaving I'm sad to say, the threadbare remains that we have now. Many people have said to me many times, how nice it used to be, and although one listens one feels there may be a hint of rose tinted nostalgia at play. But no, after all, perhaps not. This book opens your eyes bigtime.
We were delighted to buy the book and got Scotchie and Jeff to sign a copy dedicated to Doverforum.com and then it was back off out into the dark blustery night! The Book sells for £12.99 and should be available in all local bookstores.
The picture above shows the two authors in the centre of the shot, both dressed in blue. That's Paul Wells on the left and Jeff Howe, the tall one, on the right hand side. Also in the picture is another long term forumite Ed Connell, our expert on all things marine. We were delighted to run into Ed and his partner Chris again. That's Chris on the left enjoying her glass of wine, as indeed was Ed, and indeed ourselves just out of shot. Steady! PB
Say Hello to the
NEW
Business Support
Manager
At last some level of common sense seems to have broken out here in Dover with the appointment of hard working downtown enthusiast Roger Walkden as Business Support Manager for Dover. This new position should probably be seen as a modernised update on the old Town Centre Manager principle, but with added galeforce gusto. This is an appointment given to Roger by the all new revamped and re-energised Dover Chamber of Commerce, one of the oldest Chambers in the entire country, but now with a new driving force for good.
Picture Left: Roger Walkden.
Cameron MacSween(President) made the opening speech and promised a new dynamic approach in planning, retail, and maritime...."We will be a listening Chamber, a supportive Chamber, and an active Chamber" and went on to endorse the notion that they are "not a talking shop!".
The Chamber will also embrace tourism and look at ways to ensure the visitor stays and spends in the town. With even more cruise liners promised for next year Cameron wants to see more of these visitors in particular staying here in Dover. Clearly it is good news to see tourism feature high on their agenda, as many feel it is an area that's been sorely neglected in recent years. And its very much an area of enterprise Roger Walkden is familiar with. The Chamber has of course much more on its agenda, we merely scratch the surface here.
This 'new' Chamber has widespread support, with both the DDC and the DHB in full unison. Mayor Sue Jones was also on hand to lend the Chamber full DTC support too. So all and all this new initiative is being widely encouraged. Barry Williams did refer to the fact that the Chamber had something of a low profile in the past, but that this is changing now for the better.
Although earth shattering initiatives were taking place in a packed room, Miss Precious slept through the whole preceedings without turning a hair. ColetteB took this picture and was immediately followed by all the other photographers in the room. For the moment alas alas, I forget her full name but will find out shortly, but she was there with her dad Cllr Chris Precious. She's a future councillor for sure. On the right hand side we have some of the bigwigs from the Chamber in full pose mode. Left to right, Paul Smye-Rumsby (Vice Chariman) Roger Walkden (Business Support Manager) Cameron MacSween (President) Barry Williams (Chairman) and David Foley (Chief Executive Officer). Name Update: Thalia Precious.
Dover Business Support Manager has an office at 23-25 Worthington St, kindly donated by Steve Davis of the Accommodation Shop. Roger can be contacted on 01304 229111.
* * *
Turnout proves
LABOUR
are not giving up
without a fight!
You may have been hearing on your TV programmes about the inevitability of a clean Conservative sweep all across the nation, well nobody told the Labour guys in Dover that, as judging by the heavyweight turnout in Market Square recently, the fight is still very much on.
Just a short time ago, with Gordon Brown's premiership at an all time low, the fight looked lost for Labour. But with Brown now enjoying a mild renaissance in the polls and with the economy showing signs of recovery, life may be picking up. Is that a green shoot sprouting over there! Well it could be, but dont rush with the fertiliser just yet!
You will recognise many of the main local Labour players in the picture above. The star attraction though next to Mr Prosser in the centre of the shot is Government Minister and familiar TV face Margaret Hodge ( lady with mauve scarf). Its not everyday you get the Local Labour Newspaper handed to you in Market Sq by a Government Minister. So as you can tell Labour are serious about this fight and Gwyn is not aiming to be kicked into the long grass just yet.On the left you see a picture of my crumpled dog-eared copy of said newspaper in which Labour highlights the changes coming should you vote Tory...not least of all a return to Fox Hunting...so says the headline page two. Emotive yes, but its going to be a tough all round fight, during which emotions are sure to be running high. People are feeling the pain. PB
* * *
Dover
Past and Present
It isnt very often that one of our forumites launches a book but stone the crows, now we have had two books from two forumites in the past couple of months. There is suddenly an outbreak of literary prowess amongst the Doverforum faithful. First we had that scary epistle on all things ghostly around here by Lorraine Sencicle, called Haunted Dover, but now we have another new one from long long time Forum favourite Paul Wells and his fellow Western Heights enthusiast Jeff Howe.
In horrible blustery and damp conditions we made our way there as darkness rolled in, proving that there is no challenge too great for the editorial team on Doverforum! Across a windswept Market Sq we powered, clutching our cameras to our boosoms and up the dizzy heights to a first floor room where Paul and Jeff were busy signing copies for enthusiasts. We were greated with a drink and a smile and mingled in for a chat, and only after the drink settled into the sinews did we whip out our cameras to capture the picture above. More on that in a moment.
The pictures from the book are truly fascinating. Many were being projected onto a screen as we enjoyed our drink and it is truly amazing to see how Dover has changed. It is jaw dropping. Beautiful piers and buildings have vanished over time, leaving I'm sad to say, the threadbare remains that we have now. Many people have said to me many times, how nice it used to be, and although one listens one feels there may be a hint of rose tinted nostalgia at play. But no, after all, perhaps not. This book opens your eyes bigtime.
We were delighted to buy the book and got Scotchie and Jeff to sign a copy dedicated to Doverforum.com and then it was back off out into the dark blustery night! The Book sells for £12.99 and should be available in all local bookstores.
The picture above shows the two authors in the centre of the shot, both dressed in blue. That's Paul Wells on the left and Jeff Howe, the tall one, on the right hand side. Also in the picture is another long term forumite Ed Connell, our expert on all things marine. We were delighted to run into Ed and his partner Chris again. That's Chris on the left enjoying her glass of wine, as indeed was Ed, and indeed ourselves just out of shot. Steady! PB