Guest 697- Registered: 13 Apr 2010
- Posts: 622
Went to Bournemouth recently where they have a park in the centre of town not disimiliar to Pencester Gardens. Larger, admittedly, but nonetheless close to the town centre shops and with a river running through it. The gardens were beautifully maintained with a rockery and floral displays. There were even displays of art by students from the local college. It got me thinking about how Pencester Gardens could look with a little imagination. Just the sort of environment that would prove popular with residents and visitors alike, and a little oasis in the centre of town. I know a lot of investment has gone into the park's facilities for the younger townsfolk, but perhaps a more relaxing and appealing garden would then make a more attractive venue for performances on the bandstand.
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
Great idea Kevin, and I think many others will do as well mate, but if something looks like it may be popular, it won`t get off the ground. Now I`m not sure how a change of MP`s, or politics work, but I`m hoping to see a more positive attitude to this town of ours.
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
colin
the change is unlikely to affect us locally.
ecellent post from kevin, the waste of our excellent bandstand,galls me there used to be concerts on sunday afternoons in summer.
these were organised by walking john goodwin, keef used to be a regular steward.
my opinion is that at weekends local up and coming bands should be allowed to display there talents there.
we always complain about bored youngsters getting up to no good after all.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
HOWARD
you are correct ref pencester(steward) but without doubt either skateboard site or the bandstand are in the wrong place.
The two just DO NOT go together
It was silly putting on realy good events at the band stand whilst skateboarding took place also.
It was great to see the packed skate boarding useage, but i realy think the bandstans would be better on sea front
I promise not to mention whilst omn the subject the missing clarendon play area but i did recently walk through claredon ex play area, how sad to see the seat now damaged where I , and others sat watching our kids play.
and now its just all gone
Anyway it would be nice if some of our elite cllrs called over to Folkestone to see the play away there on the seafront, lots for kids to do, always packed, and a cafe,
what you can do with a little imagination
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
good stuff keith, though i must point out that seat was dismantled back in 2003, due to it being used by drug users.
the folkestone play area is a paradise for kids and parents alike, i do not remember how it was financed though.
the bandstand and skateboard park do not go together, as you say, trouble is pencester gardens is too small and both facilities need to be in the town centre.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
howard
I think the bandstand could be on sea front, can see no reason why not.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
the one in folkestone is keith, but they do not have a harbour board to contend with.
much simpler for them.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
Bandstand back in Granville Gardens, with summer concerts

Been nice knowing you :)
Alec Sheldon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 18 Aug 2008
- Posts: 1,037
Folkestone doesn't have a motorway separating the town from the seafront
Also agree with Keith, move bandstand to sea front. Then, after a long and careful thought and much planning I came to the conclusion that what the town really needs is a supermarket actually slap bang in Pencester Gardens.
There you go, creative out of the box thinking!

Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
Would look nice and this view wouldn't really have changed
Been nice knowing you :)
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
Some of us councillors did want the bandstand on the Sea front but got voted down .Now which administration was that ??
Kevin over the years the lovely shrubs and iose gardens have been removed .Why you might ask because people were scared that horrible people would hide behind the bushes .Personally I would love to see more flowers etc but with funfairs and various events that take place in Pencester the flowers .shrubs etc would suffer .
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
So because a minority of nasty people may hide behind the shrubs and bushes the law abiding majority have to witness the destruction of the flower beds,hedgerows and shrubs.The gardens are fast becoming a wasteland full of uncouth youths that abuse the childrens play area , use the skate park as as a rubbish tip and as a place to freely use foul and abusive language smoke and drink underage and make filthy lewd comments about any passing female. Great place to put the bandstand

Typical Dovorian council logic and foresight.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Excellent picture there Scotchie, always fascinating to see what Dover used to be like. Keep them coming.

Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
HOWARD
Ok so we have the Harbour board, doesn't stop any campaigns/talks to make it happen.
SUE
It realy doesn't interest me who was in administration at time, its whats best for Dover.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
Marek it was the public who complained that to have shrubs hedges etc encouraged bad ,lewid behaviour .A great shame that the few spoil it for the greater good .
Me i would plant flowers everywhere .Keith you know what happened re the Bandstand so dont hide the facts .
I have always thought it was in the wrong place .
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
with you on that susan.
in my view, there can never be enough flower beds, shrubs, trees and plant troughs.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
SUE
As I said I have no interest in who said wot,or did wot in the past, it's about NOW
why not if you feel so strongly about the bandstand being on the seafront campaign for it, and i would even try to convince others of it
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Marek, although the f is frequently heard as an interpunctuation in a phrase, I must say that in Pencester Gardens, I have never witnessed any passing female being verbally molested, and I often pass that way.
Agree that Pencester Gardens could be even more of an oasis than they are, though I often see groups of youngsters sitting on the grass enjoying the sun during the summer, not insulting anyone, just enjoying themselves. It has been looking lovely this spring. I notice more drunks in Brook House Gardens than Pencester.
It would be great to have a bandstand on the seafront, but the area could be used as such as it is without any more building. It is just a matter of finding a band who would play down there.