The Connaught Park 125 Celebrations
23 July 2008
Report and Pictures from Colette Boland
additional picture below by Mandie Sehmbi
Connaught Park 125th Anniversary 1883 - 2008 20th July
A splendid day was had by all at Connaught Park with the 125th Anniversary of the Official opening by the Duke & Duchess of Connaught all those years ago. Cllr Sue Nicholas turned back the clock magnificently and dressed in a lovely early victorian dress which was very fitting for the occasion. This set the day off perfectly...and that's Sue in her fab outfit in the shot on the left. These events are always so prone to inclement weather, but this time it was perfect and with the brass band playing tunes from yesteryear... well the scene was set.
I particularly enjoyed the artistic new fountain which was sending sprays of water over the accumulated model boats as they ploughed through the waters of the pond. There were fantastic stalls selling and exhibiting their wares with everything from spinning wool to home-made fudge, everyone enjoyed themselves with childrens fairground rides, a roving magician, Punch & Judy, a dog show, a Victorian Melodrama by Dover Youth Theatre, model boats (with a very fitting Edwardian rowing boat), 'Women's Institute' stalls, in fact something for all the family, many of whom sat on the grass to enjoy the Punch & Judy show . As ever there were plenty of parents joining in the fun shouting out loudly
'He's behind you!'.
See the picture below left of the Punch and Judy Show in the beautiful and natural amphitheatre setting. 
The Punch & Judy show in full cry!
At one point the tree planting ceremony by DDC Chairman Bernard Butcher nearly didn't go ahead as scheduled as someone overlooked the fact that a spade was required, a few dog owners offered the services of their pets but alas this was not required as the said ceremonial gardening utensil finally arrived in the nick of time. The Picture above shows Bernard with lovely wife Margaret enjoying the event.
Oh No...Here comes trouble!! yes its those legendary forumites of old Cllr Nigel Collor on the left and former Cllr Vic Matcham on the right, with the lovely and ever so patient Lesley (Mrs Matcham) sandwiched in between. Here we see them strolling between displays and taking the light sea breezes.
And finally the super DCAL girls with Fab Sue Nicholas again...
This picture above by Mandie Sehmbi and once again it shows how magnificently turned out the DCAL girls always are. They certainly bring a buzz of glamour to all the events they attend. Here both themselves and Sue Nicholas compliment each other fantastically. Very nice picture!
A perfect day was had by all, Well Done DDC!
Celebrating Connaught Park in the Summer Sun.
Report and Pictures from Colette Boland
additional picture below by Mandie Sehmbi
Connaught Park 125th Anniversary 1883 - 2008 20th July
A splendid day was had by all at Connaught Park with the 125th Anniversary of the Official opening by the Duke & Duchess of Connaught all those years ago. Cllr Sue Nicholas turned back the clock magnificently and dressed in a lovely early victorian dress which was very fitting for the occasion. This set the day off perfectly...and that's Sue in her fab outfit in the shot on the left. These events are always so prone to inclement weather, but this time it was perfect and with the brass band playing tunes from yesteryear... well the scene was set.
I particularly enjoyed the artistic new fountain which was sending sprays of water over the accumulated model boats as they ploughed through the waters of the pond. There were fantastic stalls selling and exhibiting their wares with everything from spinning wool to home-made fudge, everyone enjoyed themselves with childrens fairground rides, a roving magician, Punch & Judy, a dog show, a Victorian Melodrama by Dover Youth Theatre, model boats (with a very fitting Edwardian rowing boat), 'Women's Institute' stalls, in fact something for all the family, many of whom sat on the grass to enjoy the Punch & Judy show . As ever there were plenty of parents joining in the fun shouting out loudly
'He's behind you!'.
See the picture below left of the Punch and Judy Show in the beautiful and natural amphitheatre setting.
The Punch & Judy show in full cry!
At one point the tree planting ceremony by DDC Chairman Bernard Butcher nearly didn't go ahead as scheduled as someone overlooked the fact that a spade was required, a few dog owners offered the services of their pets but alas this was not required as the said ceremonial gardening utensil finally arrived in the nick of time. The Picture above shows Bernard with lovely wife Margaret enjoying the event.
And finally the super DCAL girls with Fab Sue Nicholas again...
A perfect day was had by all, Well Done DDC!
- I didnt manage to get to this event so well done Colette for getting the report and pictures over to me in double quick time, there was a bit of a delay at my end alas... but here we are now and I can see what it was like in Connaught Park and who was there.it looks like a very pleasant time was had by all. Nice one DDC.
- it looked a good day with lots of sunshine and lots of loverly doverians attending.
- As you can see from the selection of photos there it was indeed a splendid family day out, I use the park nearly every day walking fifi and she was so excited as there were so many people there and also dogs due to the dog show.
Well Done to DDC and Sue you looked the part for sure. Luverly! - Yes indeed it sure looked to have been a great success- well done Sue and the DDC officers. Weather was kind too.
Sorry Jean and I weren't able to get there, but that's another story.
Lots going on in Dover this summer.
Roger - We had a great family day and fifi really enjoyed herself.. and meeting lots of new dog friends. The weather was really great as well! which made the day even better!
x
- Great photos and Sue you looked lovely.
- Didn't get there but looks like a good time was had by kids and grown ups to, some good pictures colette oh sue good for you really got into the part you can imagine strolling around the park way back then on a sunday afternoon.
- Jan,after i had been walking around for sometime a message was relayed to me that whem I stood in the sunshine one could see right through my skirt.Being rather plump I think that must have been a sight.I also remarked to someone "Im a lady of the Park",not realising the true meaning.Still it was all good fun.I enjoyed supporting the officers who put a lot of effort into a Free day for families.Good old fashioned fun.
- Ah, but nevertheless, Sue, you look lovely :-)
- It was a fantastic afternoon. Well done to all the organisers. It was especially nice to see all the children enjoying a good old fashioned Punch and Judy (and not a computer in sight!) :)
- Yes, I must too compliment the Punch and Judy show, it was so entertaining that my children watched it twice. It was funny and sweet and not a controversial theme in sight. It is possible to take the best of old traditions and keep them going.
- It was a great day I enjoyed every aspect of it but I thought I would point out that the Punch & Judy show was very pc, strange when you think that it never affected us when we were younger as in we would never beat the baby etc, don't change things when they 'aint broke. Why I'll never know, to think that the pc brigade have got to Punch & Judy, Golliwogs etc
- From the comments received It would appear we got it right.It was meant to be a fun day for all the family.Not too stuffy just the way it used to be.The lead officer who did most of the arrangements with me throwing in the odd idea or two and plus overseeing it ,is a family lady .A good person to work with.For a day politics went out of the window.We could be ourselves.
I would like to see more of these events. - Punch and Judy has just moved with the times and so it should.
- Very suprised that no-one has mentioned the magician.
WHO WAS HE SUE?? Absolulty brilliant magic tricks. The DCAL girls are still talking about him now.
The guy was pretty amazing, so whoever found him WELL DONE!!! He was great.
The whole day was fab, and I have already said to Sue that it should be made an annual event, in the hard times of the credit crunch and our every day busy lives, this was good clean family fun, and cost the people of Dover NOTHING!! - I think the Punch and Judy came from Portsmouth and not sure if magician came from Hastings.Jessica has the contact numbers Mandie a thought for the Carnival .Mind you they came at a cost.I think it would be great to do the event again.Like the cinema event an idea by two young officers and it proved a success.Im no longer on Community so not able to get involved.Housing and Musuem only.
- Pictures show what a fantasic day it was for the whole Family.
Lets hope the day will encourage locals to use the Park more often.
If parking was available I m sure this would happen
Well done Dover
Adeline