Guest 662- Registered: 18 Mar 2008
- Posts: 325
I though DCR did an excellent job with the Roadshow this year, felt I should mention this as our stall was right opposite them and they kept Kylie and I smiling all day! Had a great sing along with Johnny B (not sure it helped the sales on the stall
), big crowds at 5.30 for the switch on and lots of people commenting on what a great day they had.
We might not have had stilt walkers etc... but we did have Bloco Fogo back in town and they raised a few cheers along the way.
Well done all, I had a great (and a little tiring) day xx
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
who switched the xmass lights on.
Guest 662- Registered: 18 Mar 2008
- Posts: 325
I think it was Stephen Mulhearne (not spell checked
) or the Mayor or both x
Maybe next year we could turn Pencester Gardens into a winter wonderland, you ask someone to bring a ice rink with a charge of £3.00 per hour for skaters with that you had wooden market stalls all around the park as they do in Europe string lights around the garden have it run from the 15th December closed Christmas Day then run until the end of the first week of Jan this is not going to cost anything as these people bring there own wooden huts and ice rink they would make money and the town will benefit and the council can charge what ever they have to to Bring this to Dover.
They only have to make some inquires surly something can be done, Brass band on the band stand playing Christmas Carols. lets see if we can push them to do this for Dover theres a lot of you out there with a lot of clout lets see
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
maybe you are forgetting that the bandstand is next on the hit list alan, otherwise i would agree with you.
Howard why don't they just pull everything down and have done with it how much is that going to cost to remove that,
as were it is now is costing nothing its not as if they clean or maintain it.
I have to admit i wished i never went down to watch them a few points like Alan said no festive cheer at all, the roadshow wasnt up to standards we know and love in Dover, no big eastender star as advertised, no xmas music i heard one as i left , no santa on stage either come on dover we could of done bettter than this .
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
seems to be some mixed feelings on the event
all i can say is folkestone had a big crowd
prior to the switch on they had the local cast from the jack and the beanstalk all singing xmas cheer, and the lights look great
little sandgate also had lovely lights
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,888
What a lovely picture on the front page, I even recognised the face of Stephen Mulhern, just as good as any so called soap star.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Terry Nunn
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,316
This is Paul's comment on the front page -
"The only downside to the Market Square spectacular was that nobody outside the first five or six rows from the barriers could see a thing. I stood in its midst and kids everywhere were too small to see what was going on on the stage."
My thoughts entirely. I understand not having a "professional" set up and the cost saving in that. Although I did hear a comment in previous years "Why is that bloke fronting it wearing a filthy track suit?" To hold it in a ground level marquee and expect people to see is ridiculous. For a couple years we've had a curtain sided lorry by the Town Hall, firstly from the Marquee Company and then from Coombe Valley Transport, why not in the Market Square this year?
Although I have vowed never to get involved again, I am 67, my mind has been towards organising an alternative event in Pencester. The Market Square is too cramped, why not?
Terry
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
My point thoughts also Terry .Next Year?Pencester Gardens are under used .Good vantage point for the buses .Closer to the shops . Talk to busy people and you get the answers
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
The Christmas switch on this year was like starting again,because of financial pressures the Town Council decided to change things this year.Yes some things didnt work but most did.I am a great supporter of Dover Commuity Radio and they did well but they are new and improving.
The people from the Marlowe said they had done 7 switch on's and this was the best.We had local children performing all day and the Town was busy all day.
Yes it was disappointing the Man from Eastenders wasnt there but was doing the National Lottery,yes the staging needs lifting as Terry said as Gordon Skeggs wasnt there with his bus we need a lorry.
There was a Christmas feeling but I agree it was not the same as previous years it would have helped if it snowed,it didnt and was the warmest switch on ever.We all know the story of the Lights and I am not going there again,but everyone I spoke to seemed happy and pleased about the event.
Tracey especially but all the Town Council staff worked on this so hard,with little time,at one stage we werent sure if we would have Christmas Lights because of the problems and what had to be done in a short spaced window.Until we knew what could be done with the lights the Town Council staff couldnt get to the real work of what happened on the day.
It happened and the people were there,ok as I said it could have been better in some ways especially if it snowed,but lets not drag it down because it will stay there.Let all of us think how we can make it better and more spectacular next year. The lights are nice and pretty and different from last year and now we have longer to work on them they will be better and longer I am sure.
If other people want to run other things fine,run it in conjunction with the Town Council,I am all for bigger and better,rather than moan and do nothing.
There were somethings that the Council cant do much about,The Market Square and the weather but lets all work together to make it better.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
I think it is too easy to moan - if there was little festive cheer that is the result of the people attending, surely? And my own view - I didn't see the switch on but I was in town earlier - was that it seemed busy, happy, and chock-a-block. If you want festive cheer, cheer up! Cheer is something you have, it can't be done to you.
Guest 719- Registered: 11 Jul 2011
- Posts: 443
Heres stewart messing around with the ladies again.
Yorkshire Born And Yorkshire Bred
Terry Nunn- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,316
I fully agree with John. Tracey and the DTC did a damn good job given the constraints imposed upon them by the relevant committee.
Charlton Centre had it's busiest day for months with the entertainment there. The only problem from my point of view was the lower precinct when the dancers were performing. The large stall opposite caused severe congestion.
Terry
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Here Here. It was a success despite things, and perhaps we should celebrate that!
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,888
Pencester would be a good place for next year, the centre of town has gradually moved inland over the years.
They were queuing up in Charlton Centre at lunchtime to see Santa's Grotto, I nearly joined in but did not want to sqash the poor old man by sitting on his lap.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
Sorry Jan, you are not allowed to sit on Santa's lap any more
,you dont have to be CRB checked anymore,I was sacked as santa because I put the kids on the floor and sat the Mum's on my lap!
Watch Howard now!
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Alan Taylor#44
Great sense...and idea..........hope the Council are not allowed to forget this idea for next year!
They cannot be allowed to get rid of the Bandstand either....
Why are they always pleading poverty, even when the times are good or bad....
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
The Mayor called me a couple of hours ago and asked me to pass on her comments.She wished to thank everyone who attended and took part in the switch on.She also asked me to point out that Sandwich Town Council changed the day when they turned on their lights to Saturday so they could have a full day event like Dover.As far as the mulled wine and mince pies are concerned these go back to when the all day event started by Cllr Lynn Young and Cllr Jan Tranter when they worked on the idea of an all day event.
On a personal point I have helped the Age concern and the London Road Commuinty Forum give these out for many years and I think we missed them too.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
