Missed it cos I didn't know it was on
- 20 January 2009 10:1913293It is always disappointing to hear people say this after an event has been held.
A lot of time and energy goes into putting on many events throughout the Dover District during the year as many of you will know.
It can be quite expensive to advertise events and this cost could well be something that just cannot be met.
Over the past couple of weeks I have been looking at how events can be coordinated better and information accessable to the community.
With a number of excellent events of many types currenlty being planned throughout the District it is imperative that we all ensure that similar events, particularly large ones do not clash and maybe some smaller ones could compliment each other but naturally that would be up to promoters to arrange.
My findings so far are that, even at this early stage, there is likely to be an event of some description being held somewhere in the Dover District every weekend between May and the end of August this year.
I'm afraid it is a case of watch this space for the moment as my exercise is not yet complete but we already know that to add to our usual major events during this year there is likely to be two events with an Olympic flavour plus the celebration weekend at the end of August to commemorate Louis Bleriot's epic flight 100 years ago (www.dover2009.co.uk) - former hovercraft colleagues will also no doubt know that on the same day it will be 50 years since the first hovercraft channel crossing.
Currently to see many events already arranged you can visit www.dover.gov.uk and select Community Pages under 'Welcome' on the right hand side. It is then possible to select a month to see what is going on. Great providing you have access to a computer.
After the marching band on 31st December that Mandie did a fine job on arranging, someone came up to me and said that it was a shame that it wasn't advertised better. I mentioned that it was in the local papers - didn't buy them and on local radio - didn't listen to that. I was also asked, the day after, why the fireworks display wasn't advertised last year so I pointed behind the person where there was a large poster - oh, 'I walk past that every day and never noticed it'.
So we need to have all the events listed together where the public can and know where to find the information. If we can get organised better overall as I hope, it's possible that we will get the message out that there that are so many events being held that we will be searching themselves to see what is on.
If you have an event that you would like to be included please Email propertyservices@dover.gov.uk - some of you already have events listed
I am in touch with some of the major event promoters in the Dover District but we would like to know about all events however small so that we can work together to get the maximum attendance possible and help us all to get a better 'Feel Good' factor.
There are also a number of parks and open spaces in the District that can be booked for holding events, again, propertyservices@dover.gov.uk will be able to provide details.
A full 'Toolkit' covering everything about arranging events, help that can be given and possible venues can be found at www.doverc.co.uk/PDF/toolkit.pdf - 20 January 2009 10:3613294Nigel
Even you and I can agree now and again!!!!!!
The marching band had signs outside town clearing stating it would be passing that area
sometimes people just moan
you can only do so much to help people
but anything that can improve communication can only help - 20 January 2009 13:0813304Nigel , try the end of July for Bleriot.
Watty - 20 January 2009 15:0013321Paul - will be August by the time he is allowed to clear customs
Been nice knowing you :) - 20 January 2009 20:5413349there does seem a good line up of events coming up this summer.
i think that i may have mentioned this before, is it possible to get a bleriot family member invited? - 20 January 2009 21:1413351All I would like to say about this is, that what the Festival of Dover was about last year.
VIC Matcham - 20 January 2009 21:3613353But that seemed to fail ???Been nice knowing you :)
- 20 January 2009 21:4513355the festival of dover did not exist.
most of the stuff advertised was normal well before this fake festival was invented.
the whole thing was padded out with church services every sunday and holy day, and functions that are there very year. - 20 January 2009 21:5313357Nice theory and with preparation would have been good, but not having a website for the launched seemed to kill it off rather.Been nice knowing you :)
- 21 January 2009 08:2613378Yes quite right Howard..sadly the Festival of Dover did not exist at all. It was a fiction of hope over practicality. Nothing happened over and above the bog standard normal diary, yet it was flagged up in a ludicrous way as being something special.
What made the Town Council think that a town this poor could afford a year long festival. Festivals cost money, if you dont spend money then you get jack.....we got jack!
There are some very hard workers at the Town Council and given the right direction would have made a go of something smaller. A week long Festival for example finishing with the Regatta would surely be a winner. Channel the energies into something that has a chance of success, and Im sure the people on the Council working towards things like this would make a success of it.
The remit though was bananas. A Year long Festival. Who thought that one up??
One remembers the miserable occasion of the rather sad bleak ballooon launch in Pencester. A damp squib that was. Just like the festival itself.email: dover7@msn.com - 21 January 2009 08:3513380We should try not to be critical of those that at least try to do summat for Dover
but that said those that try to bat above there station whilst applauding there efforts shold remember there limits.
This is to encorage everyone not being critical at all - 22 January 2009 10:5813480This exercise has progressed and, having been in touch with many events promoters in the Dover District, I can now advise that there is at least one event planned for every weekend between the Early Spring Holiday at the begining of May and the Summer Holiday at the end of August somewhere in the Dover District.
Any additional events will be welcome to add to the list.
Officers at both the Visitor Information Centre and Property Services at DDC are also having an input on how to take this forward.
Must dash now to meet with DDC's ITC Officers mainly regarding the design of a website for the Open Golf in 2011 but this will also be mentioned as Paul and I have discussed the possibility of a 'Dover 2009' page on the www.dover.gov.uk webiste. - 22 January 2009 11:4413481Please add to those already listed so far here
MISS DOVER SELECTION SUNDAY 26TH APRIL 2009 DOVER TOWN HALL, STARTS 2PM
DOVER CARNIVAL SATURDAY JULY 4TH 2009 START 6PM
lv Mand x - 23 January 2009 19:1013643Mandie - please submit by Email as we need precise details and if they just appear on forums they could get missed as I'm sure you will appreciate
- 23 January 2009 20:1713653Oh Mandi it is on your birthday this year,did you arrange that specially
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!