howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#1
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
#2
Olympic firework display on 18th July ?
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#3
It's not over-surprising, but quite disappointing.
Richard has not been popular with a number of bodies and organisations, although DHB supported him with his tour bus service from the cruise terminal(s) this year.
He got into trouble for painting the Grand-Shaft entrance and wall and was then stopped from having tours up and down the Shaft even though the Inspector for Kent's Scheduled Ancient Monuments, said he should be allowed to operate tours of them.
The Town Council allowed him to put their Crest on his bus, then told him to take if off, but I have no idea why that was.
Richard has sometimes been his own worst enemy with his outspokenness - he fell foul with WCCTA over a number of initiatives he wanted to run.
Dover needs new ideas, sometimes they need to be honed, but still encouraged, sometimes they need to be positively supported.
He's a noncomformist that is true and has upset a number of people, he can be uncompromising, but I like him.
Roger
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
#4
The Grand Shaft was an unfortunately episode, but running off to the press and TV wasn't really the way to go to persuade people to change their minds.....
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#5
Telling someone to "F" off wasn't wise either, but being told he would go to prison because of it wasn't veru clever either and caused that reaction.
No, I agree Paul - he was wrong to have done that; I'm sure it was out of frustration, but it doesn't really excuse it.
Roger
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
#6
Good thing is we now have Shaft open for more days than there probably have been for 10 years now, hopefully something we can build on next year if the success continues :)
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#7
I wish you luck with it Paul and well done to you and all the others on WHPS.
Roger
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
#8
Saw him recently at the Tourism Meeting at the Town Hall in Deal. He seemed very frustrated at the meeting re the lack of help and co-ordination for anyone trying to get tourism going locally.
Here we see his tour boat with a full load recently.
Guest 697- Registered: 13 Apr 2010
- Posts: 622
#9
Great shame and I hope someone picks up this business. I've often thought boat tours to see the White Cliffs "up close" would be popular. I appreciate you can do RIB tours now, but I think a more substantial vessel, perhaps with facilities for lunch on board would be attractive. I guess the problem is mooring fees for a larger vessel, and also the seasonal nature of the business.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#10
I agree Kevin, the Southern Queen is quite an attractive boat and quite popular when tourists hear about it.
I'm not sure if it is the case, but I spoke to Richard last year about having a leaflet in every hotel and guest house - in their "Welcome Book" if they have one, so the guests can call him to book a bus/boat tour.
He started a tour-bus service this year at the cruise terminal, which could really have taken off, but instead of them being organised tours where he takes people to the local historic sites and attractions we have, he would ask where they want to go and where ever the majority wanted, that's where he'd take them.
He used to offer special rates for parties, where food would be provided, but that never really took off as it could have either.
A hard-working guy, but could be a bit abrasive sometimes, but not to me thank goodness - I had enough of that from other people.
Roger
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
#11
There is a lot more to this than meets the eye,and because of any legal actions I can not explain very much more,but it was alleged that Richard was using 2 mini buses with only 1 licence,this was denied by visit Kent who investigated it,Richard had the Town Crest on when he was doing something for the Town Council.He was meant to remove it after the event and when I was with him a couple of weeks ago he hadn't.He had also upset the Taxi drivers at the Cruise Terminal and had I understand been told off for some of his sales tactics.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#12
i have heard similar stories truly a controversial character.
posing in front of a heritage site where he had daubed paint on without written permission was not a great move.
getting volunteers to man a kiosk which touted only for his private business didn't help endear him to the town.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
#13
Howard according to visit kent you are wrong the guides in there had been given a basic tourist course as I understand it.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#14
maybe they had but did they promote anything other than the boat and minibus tours?
not according to people who asked for info.
there was a western heights weekend going on and a group of cruise passengers asked what all the banging was up in the hills.
no idea came the reply from the kiosk.
i took many photos of the kiosk and the only posters there were for the tours.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
#15
I can not tell you Howard because I never visited it for info,the Tourist office by the Town Hall is always the best place to visit.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
