News Release 5. Tourism, Cocaine Smuggling, and Teen Fusion.

25 March 2008

WELCOME TO WHITE CLIFFS COUNTRY- The Tourism Campaign

The fascinating picture on the left was taken by our regular contributor Paul 'Scotchie' Wells and shows the Castle on wednesday night of this week, as the 'powers that be' experimented with exotic looking lights presumably for the coming tourist season. It made for a spectacular look, not only up close, as Paul was with his camera, but the display also looked strikingly good from a distance.

I asked Paul why this was happening...
"Unfortunately all I know is they are looking at the options for new lighting. The colours were rather inpressive and only came from small units about the size of a tissue box - must be a lot more environmentally friendly than the massive halogen floods ! " said Paul.

So that's all we know so far, but it would certainly make for an exciting dispay on hot summer nights should the Castle people decide to proceed with the idea. A tourist boost? well yes indeed.

What do you think?? Does it look good to you, or do you prefer things the way they are. Leave your comment below.

Although this picture and info is not strictly a press release, have nevertheless added it to this page because of the tourist angle and to add extra momentum to the launch of the new tourist initiative.See pic and story below.

Welcome to White Cliffs Country - from the historic towns of Dover, Deal and Sandwich, to the surrounding villages and rural areas, and the iconic world famous White Cliffs. That’s the message in an exciting new multi-media tourism campaign for White Cliffs Country 2008, which is launched at Walmer Castle today (17 March).

The new Visitor Guide has been fully updated, with latest information and photographs showcasing the area. The Guide is perfect for keeping handy for trips and is packed with information on great days out and places to stay in White Cliffs Country. In addition to the Guide, Dover District Council has re-introduced the popular Accommodation and Days Out leaflets. The promotional material is part of a fully integrated marketing campaign, underpinned by a national media and a targeted direct mail campaign.

To complement the campaign, Dover District Council is leading the way by introducing video footage showcasing the district, viewable on the White Cliffs Country website. The footage will give viewers a snapshot of where to go and what there is to do and see in the district. It is also planned to produce the footage in a DVD format to give to media, take to exhibitions and run in the Dover Visitor Information Centre. The project has been funded by the White Cliffs Country Tourism Association as its project for 2008.

Cllr Frederick Scales, DDC Cabinet Member for Economy said: “We are proud to promote a warm welcome for visitors to White Cliffs Country, with an impressive range of attractions, a world class heritage and a wonderful choice of places to stay. Tourism plays an important part in the local economy, and this campaign shows the effective partnership working between the Council and the industry, working together to promote White Cliffs Country as a great place to visit.”

Full information on the area can be found at www.whitecliffscountry.org.uk or for a copy of the new brochure, please call (01271) 336205 or e-mail dover@responseuk.co.uk or pop into your local Visitor Information Centre.

-Picture caption: Welcome to White Cliffs Country - at the launch of the new tourism campaign held at Walmer Castle. Left to right are: Sandra Killick, DDC Administration Assistant; Cllr Frederick Scales, DDC Cabinet Member for Economy; Jon Iveson, DDC Museums and Tourism Manager; Clare Limbrey, DDC Design Studio Manager; Debbie Dainton, DDC Tourism Officer; Annette McPherson, Chairperson of White Cliffs Country Tourism Association; and Louise Meadows from Dover Visitor Information Centre.

DANCE EVENT SUCCESS FOLLOWS PARTNERSHIP WORKING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Following initial success, Teen Fusion dance events for 13-17 year-olds are currently taking place monthly in Deal. This follows feedback from young people, close working with the local community, and ongoing work with a wide range of partnership agencies.

Partners in the community, including Dover District Council, Kent County Council Youth Service, Kent Police, and the Dover District Youth Forum, have been working with the local community and FS Leisure Ltd to provide the under 17s disco. The events are supported by a range of services, with information for young people on health and well being. The events follow close consultation with young people through Dover District Council’s Youth Officer, Yvonne Holder, working with Kent Youth Service.

Events were held in December, January and February, and the next dance will be held on 28 March from 7pm at the Rivals Nightclub. The February event was attended by more than 500 young people from across the district and was supported by Ash Parish Council, with a special bus service.

Graham Foat, Chairman of Ash Parish Council, said: "Ash Parish Council is delighted to support the Teen Fusion initiative. It is never easy for villages to provide facilities for their teenagers, but by coming together with other villages and organisations we may have found a way of doing so. I hope that this will be very popular with our young people."

Cllr Mrs Julie Rook, DDC Cabinet Member for Citizenship, said: “The Teen Fusion initiative has been a real success, providing a safe environment for young people to socialize and access information and services. These events are a great example of how we are working closely with our partners in the community to listen to young people and provide facilities for the future.”

For further information, please contact the Youth Officer at DDC on (01304) 872153 or log onto www.teenfusion.co.uk

- ends -

MAN JAILED FOR SMUGGLING COCAINE AT DOVER

Keith Robert GREEN, 35, of 7 Bellacre Close, Diss, Norfolk was sentenced today to six years imprisonment at Canterbury Crown Court after pleading guilty to attempting to smuggle cocaine into the UK with an estimated street value of £80,000.

Green was intercepted by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) officers at the Inward Tourist Controls in Dover’s Eastern Docks on 16 November 2007. After questioning Green’s car was searched using a Detector Dog, which gave appositive indication to the area around the front seat and glove compartment. Officers then removed the glove compartment and concealed behind it were two taped packages. The contents were tested and gave a positive result to cocaine.

Bev Morgan, HMRC SE England spokesperson said: “HM Revenue & Customs is working at the forefront of the fight to stop drugs entering the UK and to reduce the associated harm to our communities. We aim to protect society from this activity wherever we detect it, at the borders or inland. Anyone with information relating to smuggled goods should contact HMRC's confidential hotline number on 0800 59 5000”

Roger, Dover wrote:
Odd that this has been here for a few days now and no one has made any comments whatsoever.

There's been plenty of comments made in the recent past about Tourism, so it's surprising nothing has been posted.

I attended the meeting of course, but does anyone here think that what has been said above, is useful; are there no comments on the reports in either local paper ?

Roger
Guest 648 wrote:
Like you Roger I have waited for comments re the Tourism Launch which we attended.The dvd is so good and shows Dover District and the potential for short breaks in a very good light.Why the negativity.The venue Walmer Castle lovely setting which we enjoyed going round.Pity the gardens were closed .The journey between Walmer and Dover beautiful scenery.Its time for the local people to be positive.I think DDC on the budget we have does well.
PW, Deal wrote:
Can I comment on the spelling mistake on page 2 of the brochure - "English Cannel" ??
Mandie, Dover wrote:
I think the new brochure could certainly help. DCAL would be happy to help with distribution of the brochure at carnivals throughout the summer if the powers that be wish. Not every carnival naturally, but we do go up as far as the Midlands and hopefully we will be at the 2009 New Years Day parade. Let me know. Most people know how to get hold of me.

Loving the purple lights on the castle. That on is my favourite
Guest 648 wrote:
The offer tp distrubute the brouchute is marvellous.I will speak with Jon Iveson on Monday.Many thanks.
Mandie, Dover wrote:
Will wait to hear from you on it Sue. DCAL are more than happy to promote Dover wherever we can. That is really what we are about, and if it helps get more people to visit Dover then I am all for it.
Charlotte Revell, Dover wrote:
I think the new lights on the castle look great - ANY changes in Dover such as this should be welcomed and, let's face it, the magnificent castle really is the best part of the town.
Having worked on the cruise liners for years, it still baffles me that we don't take advantage of the many cruise passengers that now visit Dover - most are whisked away on tours elsewhere and the town is losing out on major revenue.
The council should look at ways to reduce rates so that more businesses can come in and fill the empty commercial spaces that are absolute eyesores.
Can anybody tell me exactly what is being done to promote the town to the cruise passengers?
howard mcsweeney1 wrote:
businesses do not pay anything to DDC, everything that they pay goes to central government via the tax office.
Roger, Dover wrote:
I've made many postings on here about cruises and the (lackof) benefits for Dover.

There is work that brings in business for us, but no where near enough and breaking through the barrier of cruise line web-sites, is probably the hardest thing.

I did create two local cruise passenger day excursions a couple of years ago, but even though they were approved by KTA, they weren't accepted on the cruise-connect web-site for the cruise liners to pick up.

Roger
Guest 641 wrote:
It must be difficult Roger, to break into the cruise companies tourist packages which seem to be be set in stone. It's a shame to see the coaches whisking affluent passengers to London, Canterbury, Rye, Leeds Castle etc when there are such great historic sites for them to take 'onboard' right here on the doorstep which would give them more time to explore what Dover has to offer instead of speeding along the motorway.