It's coming, the Autumn edition of Dover Life Magazine...
- 21 October 2013 11:16249230Autumn issue out very shortly
Dover and Cinque Ports Life Magazines are on Facebook www.facebook.com/DoverandCinquePortsLife - 21 October 2013 11:18249231
Well, what a summer that was! As we shivered our way through June, we could all be forgiven for expecting a re-run of the non-event that was summer 2012, surely 2013 couldn't be that bad again, could it? Then, in true British fashion, the weather gods flicked a switch and we came to enjoy one of the finest summers in recent memory, providing a much needed boost for the town and area.
The weather, obviously, has a huge impact on tourism, the effects of which can be felt in many different ways. For our small, independently run venues like the Roman Painted House, the Drop Redoubt and Grand Shaft, Dover Transport Museum, Crabble Corn Mill and the East Kent Railway, the signs are good. The EKR in particular has gone from strength to strength, enjoying its best ever season with a massive increase in both visitor numbers and revenue, whilst over at the Western Heights Preservation Society the story is the same. The Open Weekends have enjoyed massive support, enabling the WHPS to continue their ongoing conservation of a much neglected and under utilised site and it is little wonder that the volunteers of this organisation were recognised in Dover Town Council's 'People of Dover' Awards.
The best way for Dover to improve its fortune is for the local inhabitants to step forward and contribute, as relying on politicians at local, county and national levels has, and never will, get us anywhere. The Dover Big Local scheme is a perfect example of how we can help ourselves, turn to page 6 where we outline how the scheme operates, whilst on page 24 we find out how the Town Team are faring after 12 months. If the recently announced Cineworld development and the China Gateway developments at Farthingloe and the Western Heights do come to fruition, it is important for outside investors to see that we take a hand in how our town can be improved.
As the largest and closest port to mainland Europe, Dover has had its fair share of glamour. These days it is the constant calling of large cruise ships, but for many years the only way to be seen arriving and leaving England was by the luxury of a Pullman Rail Car and in this issue we look at how the Night Ferry became a byword for luxury travel over five decades. On another rail related theme (there's a few of them this issue!), we also look at the last survivor of the Kentish rail guns from WWII and its remarkable journey to Holland and back.
Our new contributors have been busy for this issue, both of them marking next year's centenary of the Great War with articles. Phil Eyden takes a look back at Dover's Anti-Aircraft Corps, whilst Mary McConnell looks at the history behind Dover's War Memorial. A much older event, with huge ramifications for the shaping of the rights of England's citizens is also investigated, as we consider how Swingfield may have been at the heart of 13th century politics!
Although not strictly in the Dover area, this issue we also look at some of the events that have shaped the historical character of the Goodwin Sands. Indeed, as I write this column in my cliff top den, I can see their ferocious character displayed and thanks to James Salmon and Dover Sea Safari, I got to experience them up close and personal.
This 12th issue of Dover Life marks our 5th anniversary of publication and throughout, our aim has been to highlight all that is good with our area. With the amount of people and companies that are striving to do the same, we feel very confident that we will still be here promoting Dover in another five years time.
Paul Isles,
Editor.Dover and Cinque Ports Life Magazines are on Facebook www.facebook.com/DoverandCinquePortsLife - 21 October 2013 11:31249232This 'railway gun'. I caught a big-moves programme on the TV recently, was this the same one?
[Has this gone to the printers?]Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing. - 21 October 2013 11:42249233It is Tom and yes, it is at the Printers now.Dover and Cinque Ports Life Magazines are on Facebook www.facebook.com/DoverandCinquePortsLife
- 21 October 2013 13:58249243It is very good and I like reading it .Well Done.
- 22 October 2013 13:55249353Cheers Vic
I had hoped that this would engender some positivity on here, create a conversation or simply spark some degree of input.
But no
, guess I should have ticked the 'political' box on the thread instead...Dover and Cinque Ports Life Magazines are on Facebook www.facebook.com/DoverandCinquePortsLife - Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,894
22 October 2013 15:19249372I would have commented but as I have never seen the publication I did not think it would be right.-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
------------------------------------------------------------------- - 22 October 2013 15:30249374I was hoping it was going to be out today,Mr Isles do not be put off by that the public that get one are happy in the way it is done good covers each month and also makes good reading .
- 22 October 2013 16:01249388Jan, there are at least 12 points that I have raised in the editorial column, you don't need to have read back issues to engage in conversation about them.
Do you need to know somebody's life history before you talk to them?
I'm not asking for a critique of the relative merits of using a sans serif font in sub-headings, or an in-depth study on the differing writing styles, or debating the merits of white space design. I am trying to set the scene for conversations arising out of the contents of this issue, just something different to endless political or religious threads, something that might, possibly, lead to a new angle on a story, or turn up something new to write about in the future.
Is it any wonder that people get frustrated on here...Dover and Cinque Ports Life Magazines are on Facebook www.facebook.com/DoverandCinquePortsLife - 22 October 2013 16:02249390Vic, we're expecting delivery on Friday, so should start to show up around town from the weekend onwards. As usual, we'll carry a stock here at Castle Street as well.Dover and Cinque Ports Life Magazines are on Facebook www.facebook.com/DoverandCinquePortsLife
- 22 October 2013 16:05249392What about my life story you can print that, all your issues would go in one day and more would have to be printed off.
- 22 October 2013 16:24249396Paul, is there any chance of getting some out to our rural stores?
- 22 October 2013 16:34249398Your rural stores Lesley? Sorry, I don't follow - but you are more than welcome to pop in and collect some for distribution, it would be good to put a face to a name.Dover and Cinque Ports Life Magazines are on Facebook www.facebook.com/DoverandCinquePortsLife
- 22 October 2013 16:35249399Vic Matcham wrote:You just never know Mr Matcham, you never know....What about my life story you can print that, all your issues would go in one day and more would have to be printed off.
Dover and Cinque Ports Life Magazines are on Facebook www.facebook.com/DoverandCinquePortsLife - Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
22 October 2013 16:43249400Paul I
Thats rather an unfortunate reply to Jan in post 9.
Whilst you may not like the threads on politics/religion
neverless they appear popular by number who post.
You will note I have not been critical of you thread title, nor the subject withinALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS - 22 October 2013 16:53249402Keith Sansum1 wrote:
You will note I have not been critical of you thread title, nor the subject within
Then why post Keith? You have contributed nothing to the thread, so why bother?
This is the DOVER forum, this is a magazine about DOVER and we're trying to lighten the mood a little. The political threads do generate interest from certain posters, but how many do not contribute, or switch off because of it, especially when it concerns events outside Dover?
You might like political threads, others certainly don't. Maybe you'd like to contribute to something outside of politics, but if you don't have anything to say, then kindly do me, and others, the favour of saying nothing at all.Dover and Cinque Ports Life Magazines are on Facebook www.facebook.com/DoverandCinquePortsLife - Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
22 October 2013 16:57249403Paul I
How sad is that!!!
sorry jan I tried to help
Paul I
I do post on a number of threads including political threads and other wide ranging threads
Certainly your tone would stop many from posting
not me though
although i would consider not responding to such negative repliesALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS - 22 October 2013 16:58249404Paul, for the benefit of us rural types who would like to pick up a few, where is 'here in Castle St'? I'm sure the info is in the back of the magazine but as we never see it . . .
- Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,894
22 October 2013 17:44249415That is OK Keith, I was going to try and hunt out this magazine as I have never read one, I don't think I'll bother now after Paul's comment.-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
------------------------------------------------------------------- - 22 October 2013 17:52249419graphic images ray, either 16 or 18,you can't miss it, i always pick mine up from the town council offices, they have stacks of copies,
