howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
I shall be there as fiist citizern
Guest 720- Registered: 20 Jul 2011
- Posts: 114
I didn't know Sue was the Mayor?
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i believe that the council chairman is the first citizen of the district and the town mayor first citizen of the town.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
Correct Howard.District Chairman comes first in pecking order.Unless Royalty or representive of Royalty is present .
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
does posh barry come into the category, twelfth in line i understand.
just a few unexplained accidents and mishaps could put him on the throne.
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
Sssh!
Guest 663- Registered: 20 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,136
Its hard to believe that it is 25years, some years back a memorial book was started it is kept at the Town Council offices, it was for anyone who wished to leave a message or a memory of that terrible day.
It was put together by a number of people including myself at the time, and many people may not even know of its existence.
I am sure even after all this time should someone wish to leave a message, that anyone of the staff there would be able to help anyone do so.
Guest 656- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,262
Just to confirm, in case anyone misses the link above, the Zeebrugge anniversary service is on Tuesday March 6th, 2.30pm at St Mary's Church, Dover. The years have certainly flown by.
Alec Sheldon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 18 Aug 2008
- Posts: 1,037
I have been to all the anniversary services and never known the "first citizen" to attend. The service was always held at the British & International Seamans club on Snargate St. until 2008. The club closed its doors on New Years Eve 2008 and since then it has been held at St. Marys church.
The Mayor started to attend a couple of years before the club closed, I think I remember seeing Diane Smallwood there. Gwyn Prosser and Nigel Collor always attended.
I attend because I lost three old shipmates on that night and because I was there on another ship, "European Trader", trying to give some help.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
Alec ,strange posting there .I have attended several services at St Marys .I can still hear the late Alan Simpers wife Sylvia reading out all those names.This year being the 25th anniversary I have received an official invite .The lady and she is a lady who held the position of Chairman in 1987 I understand attended every funeral.DDC set up the memorial fund .
I would attend chain or no chain .I can catch a bus .
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
March 6th 1987 was a very very sad day for Dover.I can remember it vividly .I have watched young children in River growing up without a Dad .Some never knew their DadI Alec you know I can relate to this having being left to raise a young family .Death is sad whatever the circumtances.
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
I remember the news bulletins all those years ago, a very sad day indeed.
Alec Sheldon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 18 Aug 2008
- Posts: 1,037
Sue #11. What was strange about my post? I will have a cup of tea with you after the service.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
a reminder of tomorrow's service, featured on bbc south east earlier.
the coroner at the time gave his version of events.
a very intereasting interview with the man that co-ordinated the rescue in complete darkness.
a suitably solemn simon jones.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Surprised not to see Robin Gibson instead of Simon, he was first journalist on the scene at the time and has covered it many times since.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 663- Registered: 20 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,136
Cannot make the service tomorrw but will obviously think back to that day, was working in the docks at the time and also work later on to create the memorial book, so had contact with coroner pictured above.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
moving coverage of today's service on meridian tonight.
this man turned himself into a human bridge to save people.
it was clear listening to the survivors that there lives had changed forever that night.
many spoke of survivors that were left with life changing injuries others mentally scarred.
one sad story was of a father of a toddler that missed his ferry and had to take the next one which was the "herald".
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
We now have some pictures on the frontpage of the Bishop of Dover along with Cllr Sue Nicholas Chairman of DDC and Cllr Ronnie Philpott Mayor of Dover at the moving ceremony yesterday to bless the memorial gardens on the seafront. I believe 25 roses were planted to mark the 25 years since the tragedy.....more on the frontpage.
Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
Very moving looking at at all the coverage and photos.
