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Congratulations indeed to Richard; he has worked hard on many tourism initiatives but like me, has been knocked back many times, by those who are supposed to be encouraging tourism.
Stewart Dimmock, Horace Holyer, Chris Precious, Georgette Rapley and I got together 2 or 3 years ago now to see if we could organise some walks around Dover to do with our history.
After some discussion I went away, did some research and came up with "Historic Walks of Dover" - 3 themes; Front-Line Dover; Dover's Napoleonic History and the Walls and Gates of Dover. We discussed some more about what should be included etc. and what we have now is a good write-up and subject matter.
All three are major parts of our history.
I sent the write-up to Derek Leach the Chairman of the Dover Society, who was very pleased this project had been started; then to Jon Iveson at the Museum as Jon knows (almost) all there is to know about Dover's history; Jon suggested a few changes and then passed it as being as near as it could be to being historically correct.
I couldn't get public liability insurance, although I did put in for a grant and Dover Town Council very kindly offered to pay half. We then had a problem with the guides not being able to commit fully, to it so it lay dormant until now, until Richard advised me he had got permission to use the Grand Shaft and of course with his boat and bus tour business, already had public liability insurance.
He is busy with the LSBCs workplacement people, clearing, cleaning and tidying up the approach grounds to the grandshaft, also up the triple spiral staircase.
These walks, if marketed and supported properly (put on various websites etc.), could seriously increase Dover's tourism.
Well done Richard and well done the guys - and guides, above.
Roger