Karlos- Location: Dover
- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 2,544
Surprised one of you old codgers hasn't mentioned the passing of Dame Vera.
Judith Roberts- Registered: 15 May 2012
- Posts: 637
We aren't that old! She out lived most of her fans.
Weird Granny Slater likes this
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,879
Not wanting to start a new thread I am posting this here from the FB page Western Heights Preservation Society.
"Parliament says the Grand Shaft Bowl will be the Vera Lynn Memorial Amphitheatre, so end of the line for the CWM project I'm afraid -"After an initial site visit to the cliffs in April to find a suitable accessible home for the sculpture, the committees got to work. The most impressive and relevant site and one that has captured the spirit of Dame Vera is a proposed open-air amphitheatre or bowl overlooking the harbour and the white cliffs, which is such a wonderful idea. This project will provide a venue for concerts, theatrical productions and military events in a stunning natural setting. The memorial to Dame Vera will be at the heart of the plans, and her musical legacy will live on in the enjoyment of visitors and audiences for many years to come. You can see it now, Madam Deputy Speaker: there she will be, presiding over the bowl and looking over the channel. It is just wonderful. People talk about statues and memorials. The team have come up with such a wonderful scheme—I cannot take any credit. I intend to visit the proposed venue this Friday to see for myself how the site could be landscaped to provide the best possible setting."
https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2021-05-11/debates/F7989B54-0B92-4F6D-A768-CA465E8A7A69/DameVeraLynnNationalMemorial?fbclid=IwAR2eUtalD6izCRbfTO10RdAnyjUaSxdoYHJtjdewjCqlQGmtXY2BBVEqsb8#contribution-DCE59FF2-B600-4765-8B05-364332A1BACBBrian Dixon likes this
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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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SWWood- Location: Dover
- Registered: 30 May 2012
- Posts: 261
Without wishing to be disrespectful to Dame Vera Lynn, that is an appalling outcome for Dover.
Reginald Barrington
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Dec 2014
- Posts: 3,257
SWWood wrote:Without wishing to be disrespectful to Dame Vera Lynn, that is an appalling outcome for Dover.
Why?
Arte et Marte
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
Yes there had been plans for a war memorial on Western Heights.
SWWood- Location: Dover
- Registered: 30 May 2012
- Posts: 261
Reginald Barrington wrote:Why?
The Commonwealth War Memorial was a really great idea, and a genuinely impressive monument that was perfect for that site. It also had the potential to attract tens of thousands of visitors to the area, and could have helped transform the Western Heights. I just don't believe a Vera Lynn statue will generate anything like the same interest.
Reginald Barrington- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Dec 2014
- Posts: 3,257
Surely if it becomes a "venue for concerts, theatrical productions and military events" that would attract people too, perhaps people would stay overnight as opposed to passing through and "let's take a look at the memorial while we are there"
I can see numerous other beneficial aspects also.
However I should point out I would prefer the CWM myself, but I am more than happy that finally something will be happening to preserve and utilise a significant bit of Dovers history.
Arte et Marte
SWWood- Location: Dover
- Registered: 30 May 2012
- Posts: 261
Reginald Barrington wrote:Surely if it becomes a "venue for concerts, theatrical productions and military events" that would attract people too, perhaps people would stay overnight as opposed to passing through and "let's take a look at the memorial while we are there"
I can see numerous other beneficial aspects also.
However I should point out I would prefer the CWM myself, but I am more than happy that finally something will be happening to preserve and utilise a significant bit of Dovers history.
That's fair enough, but the CWM appeared to be a genuinely iconic memorial, and unless I've missed something, I've not seen anything to suggest the idea had been rejected or abandoned. I can't help but feel this is another huge opportunity missed.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,879
I think that the two ideas should be combined especially as she was known as the Forces Sweetheart, maybe something along the lines of the Dame Vera Lynn War Memorial Theatre/Venue.
Reginald Barrington likes this
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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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Dover Pilot- Registered: 28 Jul 2018
- Posts: 346
Consultants must love the vast money they pocket from DDC from all those pipe dreams.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
Too many consultants .I met the people who were interested in the war memorial at Western Heights.i went to a lot of trouble to be dressed suitably for that occasions .The one thing we seem to get right is the Open Golf .
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,931
They had loads of consultants in your day Sue ,
My own opinion is the cliffs to be a better site .
But there you go
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
Yes DDC have always involved consultants .Consutants sell a good story .I was always amazed how people hung on to every word .Only a few Councillors dared to question .They are paid highly for their services.St James not what some of us expected.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,931
But you are as responsible over the years Sue
.often they tell you what you already know
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
You forget Keith I often voted for what I believed in.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,931
Think your missing my point
You indicated there are to many consultants
That's no different in your day
So why to many today ?
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
Ok .DDC have al ways involved too many consultants .The expertise should be amongst their senior officers.Yes you sometimes need legal advice .,however these firms are paid millions to do presentations and use dialogue which will lead councillors by the nose.I recall sitting on the group overseeing the St James development Councillors from both sides of the Chamber.ideas and challenges were made but in the end not what I had expected.The flint wall idea did go ahead which I like .The roof lines questionable .Parking spots very close together.You need to be careful opening a car door .No buses provided .i will not continue.
Chris- Forum Admin
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Oct 2009
- Posts: 357
I think you two might need to start a thread in the Politics Forum - we've gone a little off topic.
Jan Higgins likes this
