Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
I don't live in Dover Town Council territory at present but still regard it as my town, and I find Sheila's view appalling, just reeks of sour grapes.
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/two-freedoms-for-churchillGuest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
Unfortunately this decision simply shows an inability to think 'outside the box' and fail to see the bigger picture. Lord Boyce is a nationally, nay internationally, respected figure. To have granted him Freeman status would have enhanced Dover's reputation and standing - indeed there is absolutely nothing negative that could have come of such an award.
I fully accept that Lord Boyce has not lived in Dover all his life and has not made a lifelong contribution as some of the other previous recipients and nominees have done. However, since his Investiture he has embraced many aspect of Dover's community life and become patron of a number of highly respected Dover groups. And let's face it, he must have an exceptionally busy schedule so we are fortunate indeed to have a pro-active man willing to give any of his free time to this town.
He might not tick all the boxes for the majority, it seems, of the Town Council, but the potential good reputation of this town should have outweighed such considerations. Such a man is exactly the sort of person that the council should be embracing, not pushing away.
Terry Nunn
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,316
Well said Phil, it's a pity that the bigger picture is obscured by petty opinions.
Terry
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
ken is right in 118, the decision can be reversed at full council which i expect it to.
Guest 687- Registered: 2 Jun 2009
- Posts: 513
Regrettably I must away to foreign climes but will attempt to post if possible on this thread as I feel so strongly about it.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
In the war-time that may be true Sheila, but in recent years, she has done a lot for Dover, just by being who she is; a patron of a number of local things - I understand you (collectively) turned her down last year.
See Ray's link at the top of the page, that's about Winston Churchill being given the Freedom of Dover.
"Roger I did not make a bad decision, and as for Winston Churchill he was not awarded freeman of Dover I beleive that was inherited, when it is inherited it can be handed down to the next of kin, whether or not they do anything.
This Honorary Freeman dies with you, and cannot be handed down, Vera Lynn was made famous for her song, that was written by an American, but she did nothing for Dover and made plenty of money in the process"
These two paragraphs Sheila are contradictory; in the first, you say they can be handed down, in the second, you say it dies with you and cannot be handed down. You can't have it both ways.
Brian, I'm sorry (really sorry) but by your comments, you deserve no respect whatsoever; the fact you can't see the reason why he (and Dame Vera last year) should receive the Freeman of Dover, shouts volumes.
Anyone who voted against them, loses my respect; they certainly do not have any vision or real support for Dover, or any idea how to move the Town forward.
There is simply NO justification for this.
Roger
Agreed Roger. Think small stay smaller is usually the case. This episode is not only appalling but is a real demonstration of the level of competence Dover has to endure from its local reps. We all knew it but this is an opportunity to really see it. I have reproduced below the minutes from the meeting, as I requested. As minutes go they are brief to the point of useless and demonstrate only that someone wanted to demonstrate that a meeting was held. Pathetic.
DOVER TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of the DOVER TOWN COUNCIL held in the Council Offices, Maison Dieu House, Biggin Street, Dover on WEDNESDAY 15TH FEBRUARY 2012 at 5.45pm.
PRESENT
Town Mayor, Councillor Mrs V L Philpott in the chair
Councillors
Mrs S Amos
R May
Mrs P Brivio
C Precious
G Cowan
Mrs V Revell
S Dimmock
P Sherratt
J Goodwin
Mrs A Smith
Mrs S Jones
J Smith
357. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs D Smallwood, N Law and Ms J Tranter.
358. HONORARY FREEMEN
The Town Council considered three nominations for the appointment of Honorary Freemen of the Town of Dover. Councillors present were reminded that a 2/3rds majority of Council (e.g. 12 yes votes) would be required to appoint Honorary Freemen of the Town of Dover.
RESOLVED: That, following the votes taken on the nominations received, no Honorary Freemen of the Town of Dover would be made this year.
The meeting ended at 5.55pm
THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL THE TOWN MAYOR
(Councillor Mrs Veronica Philpott)
CHAIRMAN
Vera Lynn should be a freeman of Dover
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
roger,sorry you feel that way,but as a non elected person with no say who gets what i was disapointed in who was put up for the award,the result was no surprise.
i would have like to seen more a local person to be nominated like bill newman or evan shiela amos.
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
Well said Roger and Bern.
(Credit where due, the link I put above was originally put up by Terry, I just brought it back to the top again as it was appropriate to Sheila's post)
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
I'll stick my head above the parapet and agree with Brian
I always thought a Freeman was someone who got their hands dirty for years doing good things for the town mostly without thanks. Although the Lord Warden would be nice he has enough bling already...
Been nice knowing you :)
It isn't all about him!
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,888
Looks like the meeting was a complete farce as it was only TEN minutes long and Honorary Freeman was the only topic still I suppose it boosts the expenses claims.
This whole thing shows what a waste of time and our money the Town Council appears to be.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
no jan as stated earlier the 15 minute extraordinary meeting preceded a much longer and probably more boring meeting.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,888
Yes but this meeting that we are talking about started at 5.45 and ended at 5.55 which is 10 minutes not 15 minutes.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
And achieved....what?
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
So with 13 present at the meeting, if I read it right, it meant only two of those needed to be short-sighted enough to vote against to cause serious embarrassment to the town. Seems something wrong there.
Guest 739- Registered: 16 Jan 2012
- Posts: 85
What does the bestowing of the title actually mean? Is it like freedom of the city where you get to carry a sword and herd your sheep over London Bridge? Does it cost anything to give or is it just an honorary award? Sorry this is all new to me but the strength of feeling made me wonder what it was all about.
I think we are all guinea pigs in the middle of an experiment for which they have forgotten to set up a control group!
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
It is honorary Jen. I am sure someone else will be able to tell you more though than I can.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
Jan we dont get extra allownces,as I said before the only thing on the Agenda was the Hon Freedom,we were told that no discussion were to take place and we voted.The meeting was called after the sub committee had seen the names and put there feelings forward.
In the old days of Freeman of the Town they were hereditory,these are Hon.Freeman and they lapse when the person has passed away hope that helps Roger.
Sheila has told you what she thought and at least she has come on here and told you the reasons why,as I have told you why I voted for Lord Boyce and Dick Liggett and why I didnt vote for Lynn Young in an earlier posting.
There was no party lines or discussions people made up thier own minds and voted. Unfortunately I was in the minority on two,but that is democracy,it doesnt always work out as you would like or expect.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
