Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
15 January 2011
17:2789097Following a (sort of) question from Alexander D concerning the old church building in the High Street I made the following comment:
As the shell of the church survived the fire I personally would like to see it turned into a theatre, an attractive building in a location that is accessible to a all of Dover providing another amenity for the town.
Bern replied
How fab!! A new theatre in Dover. Hurrah! I would support that 110%!
Howard chipped in with
I doubt it would be economically viable to convert to a theatre, any potential investor would also note that the town hall and roundhouse theatre are already putting on performances.
To which I responded
As both the Town Hall and the Roundhouse are used for other functions a dedicated theatre would allow longer runs of productions allowing more people to see them. Who knows, maybe we could get another 'Mousetrap'.
And Bern added
I am genuinely very excited by this idea! It may be a little ambitious, but the idea of a dedicated theatre in Dover is so warming.
As this is all far away from the original thread I have copied these relevant parts here to see what others think. Possibly wishful thinking but at least it would be a positive aim for the town.
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
15 January 2011
17:4089098My (now deceased) neighbour, some years ago, wrote to the D.Ex suggesting that the old night-club in Castle Street was used and would be an ideal situation for an upmarket theatre which was badly needed and would bring more tourists into Dover.
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
15 January 2011
17:5089099A better term for "wishful thinking" is "aspirational"...........it's good to aspire to something. I love the idea.
Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
15 January 2011
17:5789100An excellent idea Chris and why shouldn't we have these options.
As far as the building down Castle street goes I think it is doomed and one day (hopefuly) will be knocked down.
As bern says aspirational. Tis better to aspire than to perspire.
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
15 January 2011
17:5889101Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
15 January 2011
18:1889108but what will transpire .... ?
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
15 January 2011
18:2689110i doubt it will transpire, sorry to be a wet blanket, but the economic climate shows that people are cutting down on "going out".
i went past our tiny cinema this week and they are cutting prices all round in order to fill not very many seats.
the population is not large enough either to regularly fill seats.
maybe in the future when more spare cash is available!!
having said that "all the best" to those who try to make it happen.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,883
15 January 2011
19:0289123I have stopped going to the cinema because the sound is so loud it hurts, nothing to do with cost.
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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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15 January 2011
19:0689125Speaking of noise......I had to catch a bus yesterday (I know, I don't usually "do" public transport!!) and it happened to be at school chucking out time. Blimey!!!! The decibel level was phenomenal!! And I sat there thinking about the millenia of evolution that has led to one teenage secondary schoolboy sitting at the back of a bus calling everyone "dumbass", like he had just discovered the word - or perhaps the power of speech!!! And one girl actually said LOL.......why didn't she just laugh..?!! And the smell of teenagers post-school hours was, while not unpleasant, definitely unique. What an expereince!
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
15 January 2011
19:0789126Just to say the Kings hall fits the bill on this one.
15 January 2011
19:0889129Theatres have to have a good acoustic - I don't think Kings Hall fits that bill. Churches, on the other hand, often do!!!
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
15 January 2011
21:5489145Also, while the Kings Hall is an excellent venue for many things, it lacks changing rooms and off-stage areas for theatrical productions.
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
15 January 2011
23:5689146Your idea for a theatre, Chris, is recommendable. Last year I put a thread up proposing a theatre in Castle Street, in the old cinema. It transpired that the place is not fit for the purpose, as it is full of asbestos and structurally unstable.
However, I do object to using a church building as a theatre, and this would apply even if it were a catholic church building. Churches were made for people going to listen to someone talking about God from the Bible, and for communal congregation in terms of spiritual faith.
I really could not be bothered about football, yet I would not propose that a football pitch be taken away from those playing on it and converted into a carpark, as people would be hurt and offended by it. Sadly, Chris, churches are being pulled down or 'converted' in Britain in large numbers, and may-be one has to be of Christian Faith to feel the hurt in it.
It is also our heritage being torn down or converted.
But if you find another kind of building that could serve as a theatre, and this proves acceptable to people in general, then it might be a nice idea.
16 January 2011
00:2389150Churches are natural theatres! If converting to a theatre pulls 'em in, why not?! Churches are based on principles of presentation and drama, acts and apostles. I can't think of a more fitting tribute to a redundant church than as a theatre, frankly!
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,883
16 January 2011
09:1889158If a building or football pitch is not used it should be put to another use. A redundant church or any other place of former worship is no different, much better than becoming another derelict eyesore.
Alexander, it is ridiculous to drain dwindling church coffers, which have to maintain really important buildings like Canterbury Cathedral, so that half a dozen people can use a church for about one hour once a week.
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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 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
16 January 2011
09:4589159St Mary's in Ashford is curently being converted into a church/community venue and is supported by all of the town (other than one person is who saying that no-one wants it, even though the church at all levels does!)
If it is this or it falling into dereliction then go for it !
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
16 January 2011
10:0889161I agree Jan. The burnt- out shell in the High St is not even owned by a church any more, it was in the process of being converted to flats when it caught fire.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
16 January 2011
10:4089167It is my understanding this building still has planning permission for residential use ,cant recall the number of flats .I think the owners are seeking an insurance claim
I speak regularly with our Empty Properties Officer ..
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,883
16 January 2011
11:0389181The sad thing about this fire was that some of the flats had been sold and it was a workman putting the finishing touches that caused the fire.
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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 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
16 January 2011
11:2389186Alexander, I think Bern sums it up beautifully. That building has not been a 'church' for many years and it would be perfect for a use which could benefit the whole town.
Last night I was watching a documentary on a church in Cyprus built on the site of a shrine to the Mother Goddess, it was filled with images of the supposedly 'virgin' Mary. From one mother to another and serves as a reminder that changes do occur to 'sacred' sites but there are times when the useage can serve a similar purpose to the original. Good theatre can be as inspiring as a good sermon.
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
