Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
#1
I have been having meetings recently with several people to try and bring a large sporting event to Dover,and it is going well.
The LDWA Long Distance Walking Association have an Annual 100 mile walk in 48 hours,this year in Scotland next year between the Olympic sites and Windsor.
500 walkers 100 stewards and approx 100+ friends and family ill hopfully be heading for Dover in 2016!Kent are hoping to stage the event although we also expect a bid from Wiltshire.
Why have I been keen to push this well people will come from all over the Country and stay in and around Dover,many come days before some up to a week,while they are here they will stay locally,eat locally and drink locally,some even come from abroad.
The walk will be based in Dover where registration will take place and my suggested route will be bus to Sandwich then walk the Cinque Ports Sandwich to Hastings and then walk back by a different route and finish at Dover.
The proposed bid and it is not a finacial bid it is the structure of the bid is looking good and that is why I have been in discussion with varies parties with the Kent LDWA to get the backing for this in the structure and support for the initial bid to the Govering Body of the LDWA....more later
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#2
good stuff john, fingers crossed it all comes off.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
#3
Ths stucture is what I am working on,I wanted the walk to start and end in Dover and suggested to the LDWA what I thought was the best route,being a seasoned walker helped.Good transport links vital,enough accomodation in the area obviously.But the LDWA were looking for other things as well,a Venue that could hold 600 people for registration and facilities,somewhere to store baggage showers and a place for the returning walkers to rest for an hour or 2 before moving on.
But we also need support and again Dover Town Council,Deal Town Council have discussed this at meetings already,KCC walks dept have also given support and it will go before the Confederation of Cinque Ports for thier support soon,as the walk will be called the Cinque Ports walk.The biggest problem was the venue...a place to accomodate 600 with associated Parking showers and a secure area.......My mind was working overtime and came up with several options,Dover College not a big enough building parking a nightmare,Sports Centre size ok parking a problem,Schools like Astor,St Edmunds,Christchurch formerly Archers Court all had problems then afetr chatting to Cllr Nigel Collor yes we are politically opposite he suggested Duke of Yorks School.Space ok Parking ok facilities ok so Nigel suggested it to the School and initial they were very supportive but then they went quiet so we pushed for a meeting.But in case of failure we need 2 options because we didnt want to put all our eggs in one basket....more later
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
#4
So yesterday was a series of meetings first with the Chairman and Secretary of the LDWA where we met in a pub where I suggested my route including registration and finish in Dover,now I realise that we couldnt cope with 600 people staying in our accomodation,but between Deal and Folkestone we would be ok,but because the walk starts and ends in Dover I see most of the people staying here.The Chairman and Secretary liked my suggestion but it was all down to a base.
So we checked out parking first,and we had discussions with China Gateway and checked out the parking by the Barn at Fartingloe plenty of parking there,it would mean bussing people in so not ideal but workable,this would only be for option2 if option 1 failed.
We then had a meeting with the Busar at the Duke of Yorks School,and as things had gone a little quiet we were hopeful but realised everything on option 1 rested at the School.
The bursar came in and we met a delightful young man who had done some walking last year and his Dad was a walker too,we discussed our needs and when I say he was helpful that is an under estimate,he was brilliant and agreed to all the demands subject to the dates still being in thier holidays which it appears to be,he even said that any campers could stay at the Dukies, a hall ample parking using a kitchen on and off for 2 days plus even getting there a day before,remember the walkers will be arriving back some in just over 24 hours(yes they are mad!) and the following 24 hours.
Feeling on cloud 9 we met Kevin Fordham from Vista Leisure to look again at option B, and after discussions with him he agreed the sport centre could manage the demands it would be difficult and would mean extra staff and closing some of the facilities but was achievable,of course parking would be a problem but that is where farthingloe came in,and we could bus them down to the sports Centre..........more later
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
#5
There are still big things to organise and getting support from Councils and the School will give the bid more volume and that is what we are planning to do,the LDWA if succesful will then work on the stewarding and marshalling and the check in's along the route,we should find out if the bid has been succesful early in the new year.
This is Dover Town Council's idea and mine to make Dover a walking friendly Town.Deal has already got 'walkers are welcome' status and we at the Town Council are looking to make Dover a walking Venue.It is of course some of the most iconic and beautiful walking anywhere in this country because of the scenic views.
We were looking for a major date or anninversary of the Cinque Ports in 2016 to back up our bid,and then it struck me,in 2016 it is the 950 Anniversary when my great great many time Grandad lost to the French at Hastings yes 1066 and all that,so hopefully the walk will be called The Cinque Ports Walk,the battle for Hastings,see even us politicians have a sense of humour.I though I would keep you all in touch now back to the show in Dover to organise A Celebration of The Sea Dover Town Hall Jan 22 3pm tickets £5, and of course I need to sort out the lights for charlie!
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 663- Registered: 20 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,136
#6
Good luck with that john for thoses who enjoy walking it should suit very well
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#7
Well done John.
I will keep fingers crossed that all goes well after the hard work you have done with the planning.
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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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