Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Well Helen, that works out at a bit over £80k evenly spread. Peter is right it may well be 'leveraged'. The important thing is that it has brought together a team of people that are bringing up some great new ideas that may never have emerged otherwise and if more get on board you never know where it can lead. I suspect that winning the actual cash will be less important than the ideas and motivation that might emerge.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
I agree Barry, it's also a good test of whether the town can get its act together to meet a tough deadline.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,706
This is about creating a team and a vision and the energy to make a real difference to our town.
The funding will cover some of the small, quick win ideas, but there is loads of other funding available through numerous grant schemes, match funding from councils and/or capital partners etc.
What it does need is all of us to start thinking outside of our comfort zone, being prepared to put our old ideas on hold or away and grasping the nettle to create something new, exciting and interesting for not only the residents of Dover but also for the huge potential market that travels round/through the town every year
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
You sound like me Ross.
Was the comment "put our old ideas on hold or away" aimed at anyone in particular ?
If you attended Monday's meeting Ross, you know about the input given about the market; if done correctly, this will be a huge benefit to Dover - as you will know if you have read my report.
Turning Dover into a tourism destination is also one of the most benefical initaitives we could follow up, that's why the tourism strategy is so important, as well as the Plan of Action for Dover Town.
You mentioned in a previous posting about not working alone but part of a team and I agreed, but if someone cannot participate, what are they to do ? Nothing ?
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
the more i read about this the more i think that dover got lucky in not being chosen.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2013/may/14/mary-portas-retail-revival-pilotGuest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Possibly Howard, I guess we'll never know.
Either way its probably a good time for me to give an update on where we are.
The market was disappointing today, several traders kept away because of the weather, likewise plenty of customers. However thats retail, we'll keep plugging away, all markets in the area are having a tough time.
We have commissioned KCollege at no small cost to decorate the buildings on Bench Street that face Townwall Street, a critical part of attracting visitors from the seafront and M20.
In 3 weeks time we launch Make it Happen, an 8 week scheme where 10 local people who want to start a business are helped with business planning, sales, marketing, networking etc. At the end 2 will receive £2000.00 each to help them on their way.
In August we are holding a 4 day Italian Market, 30-60 stalls.
We will shortly be cleaning and tidying up empty retail premises in the High Street.
Negotiations are ongoing to take over a number of vacant premises in the town for community development.
If I'm honest, support from people is patchy, we encounter plenty with suggestions but very few with any time or commitment. Twas ever thus I guess, but the 5 of us, with our merry band of helpers, will keep beavering away. Any help is always welcome.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,888
Thanks David for the interesting and informative update, a great shame you seem to have so few active helpers but that is what happens.
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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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Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
Well done David & your team colleagues.
You have shown local business in Dover does care.
You group have done it on your own & should receive credit from the community.
The time, your own funds & initiatives are probably not recognised by the wider audience but are appreciated by those who know the commitment given.
Watty
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Thats very gracious Paul and much appreciated.
Guest 656- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,262
David, that's a very impressive list of projects you have coming up there over the coming few months, Town Team have to be congratulated on all their hard work & tremendous effort, brilliant work, well done to you all
I do sympathize with you re finding people who have the time to commit, there is some support & plenty of suggestions which of course is always very useful but these projects do need a healthy number of volunteers but we do what we can with the committed few we do find.
I see from Howard's link above that Mary Portas is in Margate tonight on the telly, it's channel 4 at 9pm
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i second all the above, so much achieved in such a short time and without the portas handout.
Guest 782- Registered: 4 Oct 2012
- Posts: 357
Excellent posts here, thank you to Paul too! Without the support you and your officers have given us, the Town Team would not have been able to deliver as much as we have already and are in the process of delivering.
Excellent foundations, more work to do, more projects being worked on.
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Incidentally, we have a public Town Team meeting and our first AGM in June, I'll confirm the dates.
Everybody is invited along to share our enthusiasm for regenerating Dover. It might mean missing Corrie or some other enormous sacrifice, but you'll feel better for doing your bit rather than booing from the touchline.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,888
I always had the impression that the Town Team was business orientated and only needed Joe Public's support rather than our involvement.
Sadly that last sentence from David still gives me that impression, regardless of the smiley.
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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 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Jan, we are business LED, but there is plenty of opportunity for people to clean windows, erect market stalls, paint hoardings etc.
If I sound cynical its probably because in the last year we've had plenty of promises and lots of hot air, but even more excuses.
I've said many times that everybody is welcome to get involved, there is no reward and even less glamour, but we're determined to do our bit.
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
Forgive me for poking my nose in, especially if this has been announced on another thread but I have just received this so thought I would pass it on.
Anita Luckett
Anita Luckett updated her status.: "Come along to the Charlton Art Centre (upstairs in the Charlton Centre) TODAY to share your ideas about how to spend Dover's £1 million Big lottery funding on community led projects. From 10:30am - 2pm the Dover Big Local team of volunteers and our new Community engagement worker Linda Aldred will be there to discuss the project. You can bring photos plans and sketches to add to the displays or work with artist Anita Luckett to put your ideas down on paper. Come and have your say!"
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
You've still got time !
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