Guest 687- Registered: 2 Jun 2009
- Posts: 513
#1
A while ago I was asked if the Riverside Centre was in financial trouble. Rather than lie I chose to ignore both the question and The Forum. The time has now come to tell you the truth because the older folk of Dover need your help as never before because of the actions of the 3 remaining Trustees who intend to turn the centre from one which is free to use except the purchase of meals and snacks, to one that will charge £40 per day ( not a misprint). In the words of the Trustees and I quote, " the centre is not a lending library".
The story in full is as follows and I hope you will bear with me to the end.
The Chairman has been a trustee for 35 years and has been forced by the other 3 trustees to resign the chair, and my wife who has been there for 30 years, many as manager, has been suspended on a fabricated charge which they have been unable to justify when confronted by those unafraid to stand up to them. She is strongly supported by the clients of the centre, the staff and volunteers. I too am banned after defending my wife even though the trustees have no grounds to do so.
Why have the trustees done this? Because my wife is a whistle blower.
My wife had the audacity to seek financial help from The Town Council, The District Council and Kent County Council.
Why did the Centre need financial support?
Because the trustees who had stewardship of the centre's finances blindly signed the annual accounts when the centre was losing £50,000 per year on a vain glorious project even though after 2 years it as pointed out by my wife and the then chairman that the project was a financial failure.
The 3 remaining trustees continue to spend monies refurbishing the centre ( without the benefit of the tendering process) and to what benefit? They will inherit a building for their new venture that will not need any new monies and if they can force my wife out, they will save on her salary earned over 30 years with devoted service to Dover's elderly.
The AGM will be the evening of the 17th of September and I urge each and everyone of you to attend and force these trustees to abandon their plans and make them continue the centre as it is now for the elderly of Dover who do not have the wherewithal to attend the centre on such exorbitant terms. If they want to attend the centre, pick up a newspaper, keep warm and dry or chat with their peers without spending any monies, then they should be able to do so.
Once this centre loses it's current status then their will be no where for them to go at no cost to them. They will be condemned to staying at home without the benefit of companionship.
This is not about saving my wife's job ( as I don't believe she would work with these despicable people) but saving The Riverside Centre, a centre that has served the elderly of Dover for 40 years.
I should point out that the 3 trustees are an ex doctor in private practice who lives in Canterbury, a business man on an extended holiday from his businesses in Australia and a long serving trustee who dreams of being the Chairman who has shown no loyalty to the clients of the centre to whom she has been a trustee and previously respected volunteer.
Thank you for your patience.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#2
That is sad news Ken, both for Riverside and Karen but having heard various rumours about the running when I was at the shop it does not come as a complete surprise.
Having attended AGMs with other shop volunteers in the past where everything was pre-decided so it was pointless us attending, I would not hold my breathe for any change but I sincerely hope I am wrong.
Brian Dixon and howard mcsweeney1 like this
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#3
Seems to be a lot of trouble at the mill.
I'm aware over past years that the trustee's and the centre were often at odds.
I can't comment on the internal finances of the centre or it's future plans would need to hear the full story, so I'm in the process of trying to change my shifts to get to the meeting.
howard mcsweeney1 likes this
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#4
A lot to take in there Ken, to say I am shocked is an understatement, the atmosphere at the Riverside is excellent and that is due mainly to Karen, people wouldn't volunteer their services there otherwise. Many older people only have a state pension so they cannot spend a lot of money there.
As for "whistleblowing" only last month the Town Council gave £10, 000 to the outreach centre which is just another trust so I can't see a problem. I am astonished that so much money has been spent without recourse and will have to make a few enquiries(including finding out who the trustees are) before making further comment.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
#5
I have been made aware of the problems but I would not like to see this wonderful facility withdrawn .I read today that KCC are setting up yet another committee to solve then problem of isolation of the elderly .They have not supported thepublic in our efforts re the buses.
I will attend the AGM as I was a trustee for 18 years.
I will not be there for trouble .
regards
sue
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#6
Age UK Dover is the East Kent Mercury's nominated charity this year, hopefully they will be aware of the AGM and attend in order to report back to the public.
Guest 687- Registered: 2 Jun 2009
- Posts: 513
#7
I forgot to say how much money was lost in total, it was £250,000, virtually the whole of the centre's reserves.
Guest 706- Registered: 25 Oct 2010
- Posts: 285
#8
Well nobody would ever use it if it costs them £40 a day. Have I got that right?
Jan Higgins likes this
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#9
Penny Little wrote:Well nobody would ever use it if it costs them £40 a day. Have I got that right?
For that amount of money I would expect somewhere a lot fancier than Riverside, I would expect a hotel type building with swimming facility, a gym and topnotch food. That is not meant as a detrimental comment about the place or what it currently provides which is excellent value for money.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#10
The businessman on an extended holiday from Australia is Dover born and educated and according to Company House lives here now. Served at least twice on the Town Council and resigned both times causing expensive by-elections and it leaves me wondering why he wants to be a trustee of something thousands of miles away from his work.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#11
Surely it would be useful to know who these 3 trustees are?
Also is there any question time(public) at the AGM ?
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Reginald Barrington
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Dec 2014
- Posts: 3,261
#12
quote #1
Thank you for the info Ken very concerning! I have been asked if you could pass on Sheila Baldwin's regards to Karen.
Guest 687 likes this
Arte et Marte
Guest 687- Registered: 2 Jun 2009
- Posts: 513
#13
Howard. The sad thing is, when that trustees mother died his father was there every day as it was his lifeline, he totally adored the centre.
Keith. The 3 trustees are ex Dr Stellon, Allan Shirley and Mary Pressnell.
The AGM gives everyone the opportunity to speak. I for instance will be asking the unanswered questions in the 3 e-mails I have sent to the trustees. They may have banned from the centre but they can't ban me from the AGM.
Jan Higgins likes this
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
#14
One of the trustees is a former trustee of Municipal Charities.Will not comment any further.We must keep Riverside Centre
Guest 687 likes this
Guest 2822- Registered: 31 Aug 2018
- Posts: 23
#15
There is much more to this story than is being portrayed, which may or may not finally come to the surface. The centre has been badly managed for a number of years by various people, and not just those who are being blamed. To name names the way it is being done here is entirely wrong, as though these people are solely to blame. They are not. It has been a joint effort. Perhaps the truth will one day come out.
Guest 2822 likes this
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#16
Let's see wat comes out in the wash
Wat are you telling us u know me care?
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Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#17
Did You Delete Your Post Howard?
Jan Higgins likes this
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#18
and what post was that keef.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#19
Keith Sansum1 wrote:Did You Delete Your Post Howard?
No Keith must have been the gremlins.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
#20
Not much activity on here but lots of comments on another forum.