Guest 664- Registered: 23 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,039
I don't get out much but had to go out today to get a blood test, and I could not help thinking how down at heel Dover is looking. I went from the Gateway to the Health Centre via Maison Dieu Road, and what did I pass? Levelled out garage sites growing fine crops of buddleia, crumbling pavements, Maison Dieu Road itself looking pretty grubby. The Magistrates Court looks in need of at the very least a good clean if not a paint-up. Coming back I came back through St Mary's Churchyard, again looking unkempt and uncared for. I love Dover, it is my town, for years I lived opposite the Town Hall and considered it part of my life. We have so much history, dating back to at least the Iron Age. Could we not concentrate on cleaning up and getting rid of eyesore buildings, concentrate on selling ourselves as the tourist attraction we could be (we have at least as much history as Canterbury) and stop wasting time Town Clerk and Sue Nicholas bashing.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
welcome diana, interesting post.
not seen too much town clerk bashing on here though, as for our suze, she can bash with the best of them.
it is the rest of us that need protection from her.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Yes interesting post Diana, some good stuff there. Good to have you onboard.
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
I'm in agreement with you there Diana, its quite depressing when you walk around Dover town and see all the dilapidated sites, especially when you take into account that some of these have been in this sorry state for so long now. Its a sad state of affairs.
Thanks for the encouragement. It IS sad. Dover has not really recovered from the last recession, and now here we are in another.
Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
From JHG: "You know what they say about God not paying his debts with money,well that earthquake today in Folkestone was a warning don't mess with Dover."
I think you're absolutely spot-on there, John.
White Army etc,
Andy
Guest 662- Registered: 18 Mar 2008
- Posts: 325
Iteresting reading all these posts, it is depressing and it can be disheartening to walk through the town and see yet another boarded up shop or yet another shop having a closing down sale. But Dover Spirit lives on and those of us with Dover in our Hearts and Blood will always see the things worth remembering and cherishing.
I love to sit on the beach and stare out to sea, I love the fact that if you turn around stood on the beach you know the secrets of Western Heights just waiting to be discovered and on the other side an imposing castle overlooks us.
I love the fact that I walk in the same streets as much loved Grandparents and whilst we see shops closing, we have smaller thriving businesses opening up in Dover every day. Maybe not in the High Street, but tucked away from view and creating jobs for the people of Dover.
I love the fact that it is very rare to walk through the town and not bump into a relative/friend/acquaintance and stop for a chat and go for a coffee.
I take my children to Pencester and Connaught Park where I myself played as a child, and we might not have a paddling pool anymore but boy it would have been cool back then to have that skatepark! I barely noticed the wino's when I was growing up and I barely notice them now, by focusing on the positives we can all change our opinions and views and by shopping locally we can save some of our local shops from closing.
Michelle x
Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
Very moving stuff, Sheli. Brought a lump to my throat. So many of us Dovorians share such memories and sentiments and wish for the best of times again. Not just by harking back to a better past, but in the future.
Andy
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
I don't have such childhood memories of Dover but since Jean and I moved here in 1994, we love it and believe that we should be promoting it to all and sundry, whether Boulogne, Dieppe or Northampton - not waiting months or even years before the buildings are smartened up - they need doing now.
Roger
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
Good stuff Sheli,and we are getting a Big TV they ain't getting one of them in Folkestone.!
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
The big screen can be a catalyst and visual showcase for all that's good in the town and district. Let's see life breathed into the old Market Square - good farmers markets and international markets (not the crappy ones selling ten pairs of Simpsons socks for a quid), cafes, events, music, LIFE! - the type of things our Market Square is there for - a proper central hub for the town.
Then, once we've got these schemes moving along, it'll make the area once again an attractive hub for post-recession investment. It should be a focal point of town pride.
I'd also love to see flags hanging from every building in the square: on a two-at-a-time rota of, say, the Union Flag, the St George's Cross, the medieval coat of arms of Dover, the council logo, the French tricolore, the flag of Belgium, the Olympic flag, the Dover Athletic crest and the Dover rugby club crest. And, say, if we one day have an Italian street market, then on that day put up the flag of Italy all around the square.
It's all about perception. It's not rocket science. Think and visualise. Let's be proud and imaginative.
It really is about being creative and having the will and drive to push it through. As you say, perception is all: a bit of pizzazz and follderol would make a big difference!
Guest 673- Registered: 16 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,388
Love Andrew's suggestion re the flags, the more the merrier. Would add a Red Duster to the list in recognition of the British merchant vessels in the port, and a White Ensign for the rare occasions that the RN makes an appearance and to commemorate the building of the Admiralty Harbour and the legendary exploits of the Dover Patrol.
I always find the flags flying over the Castle disappointingly small. Speaking to one of the custodians some years ago, he told me that they usually fly a small storm jack to save on costs. Would like to see giant Union flags and St.George's Crosses fluttering in the breeze.
Re the Italian flags, I was living over Blake's when the Italians beat England at football some years ago, put us out of the World Cup or something. I heard commotion down in the street and looked down to see yobs tearing down the Italian flags which adorned the Italian restaurant further down the street and running off with them with Italian waiters in hot pursuit. They never put them up again in the years that I was living there.
I have a collection of weather-beaten flags from my days deepsea, many of which used to adorn the walls of our flat. There are probably not many abodes in Dover which boast an MPLA flag from the civil war in Angola, complete with crossed cogwheel and machete. Or a German WW1 naval ensign acquired on the internet to go with my painting of the famous light cruiser S.M.S. Emden, painted by one of the crew and retrieved from the wreck by my great uncle Alf. Her indoors is heavily into interior design and decreed that they had to go, but they will be back, little by little!
Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
"Love Andrew's suggestion re the flags, the more the merrier. Would add a Red Duster to the list in recognition of the British merchant vessels in the port, and a White Ensign for the rare occasions that the RN makes an appearance and to commemorate the building of the Admiralty Harbour and the legendary exploits of the Dover Patrol."
Thanks for your kind words, Ed. Yes, I forgot the Red Duster for some reason (despite my family's lengthy Merchant Navy background). Of course the Red Duster should figure prominently.
And another thing, which I've mentioned before: when are the great and the good going to commission people to get the paint pots and brushes out to tart up the chipboarded shops and buildings that are growing inexorably in the district's towns?
As I keep banging on about, until the economy does turn for the better (and that's not going to be any time soon) it's all about perception.
And think too about New York's famous 'broken window' policy. These things ARE important and they DO matter.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
Andrew
It was a pity this morning to see that Chaplins cafe window had been broken and boarded over.I don't know the details so will reserve comment.
I've just dropped off the little one at brownies and had to pass a copcar and meatwagon outside the offie on London rd where a large number of youths were hovering.Shell likes were being addressed..!!!
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,706
Andrew - many of us have been banging on about the same thing for some time - in fact the LRCF have been trying to get the DDC, DTC (who have offered help) and local landlords to work with local schools to create murals etc on boards for the empty premises up our end of town.
Marek notice Chaplins on Sunday morning but likewise do not know the story ...
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
I have been on about the painting idea for ages - it makes such sense!! Why is it not being forwarded?
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
It could be because the information about who is the Landord is not forthcoming and nothing can be done without his input - you can't just break in and put a painting on the inside of his window.
There is enforcement of course but that's a different route.
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
enforecement has been made in some areas.
my memory seems to recall hastings council clamping down on slum landlords.
