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Just a little consolidating today confirming the new acting committee activities and putting in a day at the loco works-a little difficult getting to post earlier.
Anyhow here I am and this is how we stand:-
Yes I was very happy with the number and standing of those who attended, I got round to meet as many people as I could,but time as always on these occasions, was short and we had to get on. I've no doubt that there will be other opportunities to catch up. There were a number of retired engineering and deck officers present who were all willing to offer advice and comment on the ideas that I outlined in the presentation.Several had actually served on 'Dover'.
I fortunately managed to speak with Mayor Clr Sue Jones and the prospective Town Clerk Allison Burton. Neil Wiggins I already knew (he recently accompanied me to Middlesborough to see the ship).
I would like to thank David Foley,Chief Exec of the Chamber of commerce for consenting to say a few words on how he felt the presence of the ship would help to regenerate Dover. He focussed on the value of the Dover (town) 'brand' and how the whole of humanity could relate to it by virtue of its beacon like flame of fame-everyone's heard of it...yet vastly underrated by the locals
Perhaps it's time that more could pause when passing through and spend a few quid. This would be where the ship 'Dover' could be a great advantage to the town and to expedite the brand further. We have the castle and the potential of the new Western Heights project but there could be more.
Q&A was fairly lively with Devils Advocate making me dig deep for my answers-nothing like stretching the response reserves. The engineers had fears about the tow worthiness of the ship (quite rightly), possible presence of asbestos,condition of machinery etc etc. I pointed out that this was a last opportunity which licences some degree of risk and she has been towed down from Newcastle within the last few years.Also boilers and turbines can be repaired. Captain Harrison of Able UK is confident that she would pass out for the journey south. He had every reason to be accurate in that statement.
On request a number of attendees stayed behind and volunteer to man the new acting committee. I'm glad to say that one Stewart Dimmock has volunteered for the publicity dept-well done with that Box Brownie! Also I must welcome as secretary Andy Mclean who about 3 years ago started an appeal to save 'Dover' as a night club and bring her South as a going concern. Unfortunately A) DHB said no. B) the nightclub owners went bust. They had spent just under 3million refitting her about 3 months previously-it was in pristine condition. Andy is a former Purser on 'Dover' in the 60's.
Andy Mullins former Sealink quartermaster is to be archivist -his historical knowledge of the Channel ports is second to none. Andy and Sarah Jane Hart,husband and wife combo have taken on the posts of Webmaster and Treasurer respectively. Technical matters to be in the hands of heritage ship chief engineer Nigel Thomas and we have the negotiating skills of Martin Stevens (of the Medway Maritime Trust) on tap. Assisting me with fundraising and contacts is someone you all know and is an old ship mate of Andy's-won't mention names yet as he has to officially accept... and there's me would you believe- Chairman.
So we have a team that I believe will be formidable. We have loads of ideas already and have given ourselves a fortnight to sort out bank account,admin,draft constitution,web site etc. Membership subscription for the Dover Steamship Company has been set at £10.00 per annum and the forms are being printed.
But we have of course set ourselves the task of a lifetime.Securing a berth, raising an initial £200,000 to buy and get the ship home and establish a true icon of the golden age of cross channel travel here in Dover.
I would also like to thank my colleagues from the Remembrance Line Association for helping me to operate the meeting and many thanks top Terry Nunn for supplying the PA FOC. Much appreciated.
..and finally ,for now,guess where we are going to hold the committee meetings-Stewart did you make arrangements?