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Thanks Howard.
Dear Vic, I hope you're not seriously suggesting the Anniversary planning was good? NOTHING special came about that year as far as the carnival was concerned,. it was just business as usual. Even offers of help with marshalling came to absolutely nothing. Offers of street entertainers also came to nothing. Our involvemetn with other groups came to nothing.
For most of the organisations who put on events it was all too little, too late. It made it impossible to co-ordinate joint efforts. In fact, every group attending should have been required to assist every other group attending, but it didn't happen. In fact I'm not even sure if it was suggested as we'd have bitten arms off for assistance and been delighted to support the others.
Saddest of all, to my recollection, no one on the Committee was involved in putting events on, and therefore couldn't appreciate the planning and effort to even get past the DDC Events Committee, let alone actually stage an event. It takes almost 12 months to plan a carnival for instance, meaning it was impossible for us to be very flexible.
I don't deny the idea was superb, the attendees who weren't polishing their ego's meant well, but it was all very unprofessional at the end of the day, and the result proved it. In fact, what lasting impact came of that year's "new" events?
The point I am making Vic is this, Dover has lots to offer and some great events. What Dover doesn't have where it matters is joined up thinking allied to programme management, event planning and management skills for something of this nature to be as successful as it should be.
I have accepted an offer from PaulW to discuss areas covered in this posting, so it's a positive step that he is interested to get handle on this.
Please Vic, don't take this so personally. I am more concerned to learn the lessons from our mistakes, naivete' or whatever you want to call it, in order to make things better for the future. Knowing you as I do, I am sure that s what you want for Dover too.
Lastly, I am no longer able to commit myself to the carnival, work prevents that. I do however remain a Patron of the association and am consulted on major matters. Otherwise, Mandie does a brilliant job but could do with more help from those with time to offer.