Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
3 September 2009
08:2128428#1
As you can see from this picture the seafront has worked hard this year which is evident in the rather worn looking state of the gardens. Not only did our famously attractive seafront gardens have to cope with the influx for the Regatta but it had Bleriot as well. The canopys, rides, events, etc on the lawns have taken their toll.
But its good to see it used as an asset as well as just an attractive feature for residents and visitors.
You can still see the old swimming pool in the foreground fighting to get through. It was filled in and grassed over just a few short years ago now, maybe five or so, but year after year it clammers to be reborn and leaves its calling card on the grass above its tomb. Its shape lives on.
The picture above was taken on a sleepy early september morn, with the last few caravan stragglers waiting to board...soon summer will be over.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
3 September 2009
08:3728429#2
Great shot and lovely view. I remember that view from watching a firework display at Boland Towers some times past ...fond memories.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
3 September 2009
08:3828430#3
yes that is a great shot...
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
3 September 2009
15:3128441#4
Probably be accused of being a spoil sport but I think it was a great shame that the gardens were used for the Bleriot Event .Its bad enough that Pencester never fully recovers with out ruining what is an attractive area .I know of a couple of councillors who were apposed to the gardens being used for this purpose .It has been a dry Summer and it will take along time for the grass to recover
.Whilst singing that well know hymn Abide With Me at this mornings service ,I thought the following lines of the second verse rather reflects my mood of late ."Change and decay in all around I see.Oh thou who changest not abide with me "
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
3 September 2009
17:0628443#5
the gardens always recover, pencester looks like a disaster area after the fair leaves.
a couple of weeks and it is back to normal.
i do not see the point of having these open spaces, if they are not used for events now and again
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
3 September 2009
17:1228444#6
quite right howard,i would like to see more use of these open spaces used more often all year round.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
3 September 2009
19:4328453#7
Just looked at the open page and Pauls coverage of the do at the sea front .You only have to look at the grass to see what a disgrace it is .Until you get the pride back Dover will never move forward .
They had two events today and not all councillors were expected to turn up for both hence Paul was not at the Town Hall .did not see the hat .
It was after the pictures were taken that some attendees were taken ill .
I disagree Howard Pencester does not recover and because of all the events we no longer have the lovely flower beds .Will Marine Gardens go the same way .
If I lived in The Gateway I would not be a happy bunny Until you bring pride into your surroundings we will not go forward ..
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
3 September 2009
20:0828457#8
every time i go past the gateway flats the frontage is alive with colour.
not that many flower beds left in pencester gardens now, i would much rather have temporary damge to the grass caused by events, rather than see the foulmouthed, drunken oafs that have taken it over.
should the river people from the WCCP ever stop doing their clean ups then we would actually find out how the river is treated by the toerags there
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
3 September 2009
20:5728463#9
Sue you are right I couldnt do both events as had a meeting after the seafront event and then in the afternoon went to photograph our MP Gwyn Prosser as he was greeting the big cycle event passing through on its way to Paris. I met some nice people there... will have some pictures of that in a day or so too.
So sadly I misssed your hat Sue.
Yes the picture at the top does tell an alarming story in a way of the condition of the seafront gardens and grass. But I guess it is only a temporary glitch as normally, as we all know, its very attractive..they keep it well. Very colourful.
Also you have to admire how clean it all is down along the seafront. Even there of course you get a temporary glitch, as following an influx on a hot day it gets burdoned by litterbugs, but in no time at all its back spic and span. The grasses in the gardens may take a little longer.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
3 September 2009
21:1228466#10
Think after last nights rain and some sun next week it will be back to normal....
Been nice knowing you :)
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
3 September 2009
21:4428468#11
just give it a week or so, grass is so resilient.
no one ever feeds or waters the western heights.
would be great to see the fountains reopened in front of the gateway flats, i was told this would be impossible however.
Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
3 September 2009
21:4828469#12
Sorry but I have to say........
After the walk to Brighton over the weekend and following the coastal route.
Dover does look very sad to other coastal towns.
The flower displays on and away from the seafronts were realy quite incredible, not to mention the public activity. every stop I made I just had to look in awe as to what was on display, the only problem was I didn't have much time to take it all in.
For a main port, our sea front is rather pathetic and empty compared to what i saw along the route.
OK now kill me.
Ian...
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
4 September 2009
07:1128471#13
Howard I took a second picture along with the top one and here it is
its a closer up shot of the fountain area, now long since buried. For years though it was just a fairly neglected piece of concrete although did have some real potential. As you can see it refuses to be forgotten as its shape emerges every so often from beneath the soil. Filling it in therefore hasnt been entirely successful from an aesthetic point of view, but with the DDC unprepared to spend on it previously, to keep it up to speed, the only thing to do was the erase it completely. It was the cheapest solution, not altogether successful as you can see...it still lingers.
Ian I think the Dover seafront is unique. It doesnt have the pizzazz or razzmatazz of other seafront towns as not a lot happens. Its an altogether quieter place than most seafront towns like say Brighton for example, with a whole lot less happening. But whether thats good or bad depends very much on ones own point of view. In other words its both good and bad all at the same time.
Before 'Millers' came here it was a deathly quiet seafront. That establishment has certainly brought a bit of much needed life to the place while still not spoiling anything...not so far anyway.
Guest 656- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,262
4 September 2009
10:2328485#14
We were at Ramsgate on Bank Holiday Monday and it was absolutely amazing with the vibrant colours as though they had just been painted from an artists palette, it was beautiful and I was very impressed with it indeed. Obviously the difference here is that Ramsgate is a beach resort with sandy beaches, trampolines and bouncy castles.
But one thing that struck me is that almost ALL cafes whether they were at the marina or the beach area or even just along the seafront and inner roads, were 'al fresco' with tables and chairs outside and families really enjoying themselves. In the restaurants which didn't have a licence I noticed that they had a no corkage charge which seemed to be a Great Success and going down a treat with everyone.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
4 September 2009
13:4928491#15
just what dover needs,thats if the ddc etc gets there act together.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
4 September 2009
17:1028500#16
i love ramsgate, so cosmopolitan and colourful down at the marina part.
people still sit outside the cafes and bars on cold winter days.
mind you, their town centre is a disaster area what with the marina area and the westwood centre taking all the business away.
