"Why the white cliffs of Dover are so special..."
- 24 August 2012 09:04188322How I did not spot this earlier, I don't know, but once found it certainly has a place here...
"The white cliffs of Dover have a very special place in the collective imagination, even for those who have never seen them. Nat Burton, who wrote Vera Lynn's famous song about the cliffs, was an American who had never crossed the Atlantic, let alone the Channel. We should harness their emotive and symbolic power, as we should with many other features of our coast and countryside, to help build a sense of togetherness and nationhood.
Over several decades, politicians and commentators have fretted that Great Britain has become a disunited kingdom. Last summer's riots were the most troubling sign yet that a large minority does not feel the police, authorities or even shopping centres are really theirs.
This year, the jubilee and the Olympics have papered over the cracks, providing a reassuring sense of "coming together". We'll be reminded of another such moment at the end of this month, with the 15th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana. But the truth is many of us were left baffled by the mass hysteria prompted by Diana's death, and cold by the flag-waving surrounding the diamond jubilee. Big sporting events and spectacles might give the national morale a shot in the arm, but they are too transient and taste-specific to stand as robust symbols of nationhood...."
To read the rest use this link...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/aug/19/white-cliffs-of-doverIgnorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing. - 24 August 2012 09:54188328I couldnt resist adding a photo of the glorious cliffs Tom and here we are...
taken a short week or two ago from the back of an early morning ferry heading to Calais.email: dover7@msn.com - 24 August 2012 10:30188334Beautiful!!! Our white cliffs are universally known the world over, aren't we just so lucky to have them right on our doorstep
- 24 August 2012 11:20188340I was in Harwich last week and got chatting to a lady on the pier. She asked where I was from and when I said Dover she replied "Where's that?" I said it was down on the south coast to which she replied "Oh I know - that's where the white cliffs are". I said she was right and she said I was lucky! Then she added " You've come a long way!!" lol I had to laugh, a couple of hours drive away isn't far - is it? lolThere's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok".
- 24 August 2012 12:09188342It's Dover...
There are White Cliffs and much-more
There'll be golden days before the end
And whispered secrets on the wind
Your visit will stay with you evermore
Tender nights before they fly
Send falling stars that seem to cry
Your visit will stay with you evermore
It's Dover
It may break your heart in two, To know your visit soon is through
But in Dover there's things old and things new
There's always something yet to do
It's Dover It's Dover It's Dover
All the rainbows in the sky
Start to weep, as you say goodbye
You won't see such rainbows any more
Setting suns before they fall, come across harbour and sea-wall
But you'll remember these sunsets after all
It's Dover It's Dover It's Dover It's Dover
[with apologies to Roy-O and his fans]Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing. - 24 August 2012 16:58188363Well written Tom.
I'm a "Big O" fan and that was a compliment to him, so no upset I'm sure.
Roger - 24 August 2012 21:30188402Why are you all being so modest -the 'Dover' brand is universally known and held in high esteem. Why do you think we will NOT be preserving our vessel as Earl Siward-(er who?). Big UP for Dover. Keep chipping away Roger-one day they will all realise!Never give up...
- 24 August 2012 22:12188405I think you are doing a great job Richard and have a good team all working for the same goal - to bring the TSS Dover to Dover; I'm sure it is accepted that this now, is its natural home.
Your motto "Never give up" is a good one to have and with you all working together, will, I am sure, get the right result.
I, however, will not be able to achieve my aims as I know that working on your own can never be successful.
I have tried on several fronts to move Dover forward - on the street market; on a Tourism Strategy and on a Plan of Action for Dover Town.
No one is listening or wanting to know, everything I have suggested is achievable, but not without support and that support is not forthcoming, so I have given in and I'm sure a number of people (some on here) will be happy and relieved; I am not banging my head on the proverbial brick-wall any more, so for me "Never give up" is not now my motto.
Roger
