The Front Page. - Copy 215 (Labour Strike Statement, T2 Go Ahead, Christmas Lights.)
27 November 2011
This Statement is Regarding Dover District Council’s Full Council Meeting on tonight 30 November.
Labour councillors on Dover District Council will not be attending the full meeting of the Council to be held on 30 November 2011 as the meeting falls on the day of the national 24-hour strike by public service unions.
Dover District’s Labour councillors wish to make clear their solidarity with all those who have suffered, and are suffering, at the hands of a Conservative-led Government which is only interested in inflicting pain on working people for no economic gain.
* *
In what is being described as a significant vote of confidence in the strategic direction of the UK’s busiest trust port, the Government has today formally given the go ahead for Dover’s second ferry terminal (Terminal 2).
Approving the £400 million scheme will, when market conditions require its construction, effectively double the capacity of Dover’s ferry port. The decision is a clear sign that the Government expects traffic through this key gateway to increase substantially beyond the current recession.
This is also fantastic news for the town of Dover as it allows the related waterfront enabling works that are the necessary pre-cursor to the regeneration of this part of Dover, a development described locally as the catalyst for Dover’s renaissance, to be delivered in advance of Terminal 2.
Bob Goldfield, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said: “This is a great day for the Port and its long term future, for our local community and for the long-term resilience of the UK economy, all of which have been at the forefront of our minds during the development of this scheme.”
The Government’s announcement that Terminal 2 can be built is further testament to the exceptional lengths to which Dover Harbour Board has gone in order to consult and engage with its customers, stakeholders and the local community. The few holding objections submitted were removed earlier this year following further positive engagement with the respective bodies and so Terminal 2 was unopposed when the Secretary of State made the decision to approve the scheme.
Director of Port Development, Mike Krayenbrink, who managed the master planning process added: “The scale and detail of consultation that has been undertaken at all levels over the past few years has been unprecedented. It is a clear indication of how seriously we take our responsibility to develop the Port both as a national asset and as a key part of the local community."
Terminal 2 will be the single biggest development ever to be undertaken by Dover Harbour Board and will become the second biggest ferry terminal in the UK after Dover’s existing ferry terminal in the Eastern Docks.
Bob Goldfield concluded: “This decision should give confidence that good things are now starting to happen for Dover and that the team at the Port is determined to play a big part in ensuring the future growth and prosperity of both Port and town together.”
Picture above by Paul Scotchie Wells
Many thanks to DHB for the information above.
* *
Thousands turned out in Market Square last night to see the spectacular Dover Community Radio Roadshow. The whole event throbbed with glorious Christmassy excitement and pulsated with terrific musical beat. All the people there were thrilled as they waited in baited anticipation for the Christmas Light Switch On. The cast of the latest pantomime from the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury..headed by childrens favourite Stephen Mulhern, entertained the crowd in fine style and Mayor of Dover Cllr Ronnie Philpott joined them on the stage to add to the entertainment. For those interested, Cinderella is the pantomine this year.
The big switch on happened at 5.30, earlier than previous years, this was so the Marlowe cast could do the same thing elsewhere. They were on a whistle stop tour of switch ons and Deal was next on the itinerary. But the show here in Dover went well. The regular countdown began and as the time drew near the excitement mounted...and then the lever was pulled and on came the lights of Dover. Sadly no lights at all this year in Castle Street... it usually makes for great pictures in Castle Street with the Castle as backdrop...but maybe next year.
The only downside to the Market Square spectacular was that nobody outside the first five or six rows from the barriers could see a thing. I stood in its midst and kids everywhere were too small to see what was going on on the stage. Adults couldn't see, so of course neither could the kids, and as the whole thing is kid driven...well...
The Big Screen came into play. But when you go to a LIVE event you dont want to end up watching it on a screen, one gets enough screen time at home, but that's what lots of people were forced to do.
The stage needs to be elevated for next year so that youngsters of all ages can see...even those towards the rear. If we want crowds to come then we must let them see.
Top picture shows the cast of Cinderella..main players are, in blue Stephen Mulhern and next to him in white..The Mayor of Dover Cllr Ronnie Philpott. The picture below shows the ever popular and unusual steel band Bloco Fogo who rattle up a steel storm every time you see them. They also played last years carnival.
See also the Christmas Lights thread in our Forum for more pictures and comment.
Paul Boland.
The Strike: Statement from the Local Labour Group.
This Statement is Regarding Dover District Council’s Full Council Meeting on tonight 30 November.
Labour councillors on Dover District Council will not be attending the full meeting of the Council to be held on 30 November 2011 as the meeting falls on the day of the national 24-hour strike by public service unions.
Dover District’s Labour councillors wish to make clear their solidarity with all those who have suffered, and are suffering, at the hands of a Conservative-led Government which is only interested in inflicting pain on working people for no economic gain.
* *
Government approves second ferry terminal at Dover.
In what is being described as a significant vote of confidence in the strategic direction of the UK’s busiest trust port, the Government has today formally given the go ahead for Dover’s second ferry terminal (Terminal 2). Approving the £400 million scheme will, when market conditions require its construction, effectively double the capacity of Dover’s ferry port. The decision is a clear sign that the Government expects traffic through this key gateway to increase substantially beyond the current recession.
This is also fantastic news for the town of Dover as it allows the related waterfront enabling works that are the necessary pre-cursor to the regeneration of this part of Dover, a development described locally as the catalyst for Dover’s renaissance, to be delivered in advance of Terminal 2.
Bob Goldfield, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said: “This is a great day for the Port and its long term future, for our local community and for the long-term resilience of the UK economy, all of which have been at the forefront of our minds during the development of this scheme.”
The Government’s announcement that Terminal 2 can be built is further testament to the exceptional lengths to which Dover Harbour Board has gone in order to consult and engage with its customers, stakeholders and the local community. The few holding objections submitted were removed earlier this year following further positive engagement with the respective bodies and so Terminal 2 was unopposed when the Secretary of State made the decision to approve the scheme.
Director of Port Development, Mike Krayenbrink, who managed the master planning process added: “The scale and detail of consultation that has been undertaken at all levels over the past few years has been unprecedented. It is a clear indication of how seriously we take our responsibility to develop the Port both as a national asset and as a key part of the local community."
Terminal 2 will be the single biggest development ever to be undertaken by Dover Harbour Board and will become the second biggest ferry terminal in the UK after Dover’s existing ferry terminal in the Eastern Docks.
Bob Goldfield concluded: “This decision should give confidence that good things are now starting to happen for Dover and that the team at the Port is determined to play a big part in ensuring the future growth and prosperity of both Port and town together.”
Picture above by Paul Scotchie Wells
Many thanks to DHB for the information above.
* *
Christmas Light Switch-On 2011
Thousands turned out in Market Square last night to see the spectacular Dover Community Radio Roadshow. The whole event throbbed with glorious Christmassy excitement and pulsated with terrific musical beat. All the people there were thrilled as they waited in baited anticipation for the Christmas Light Switch On. The cast of the latest pantomime from the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury..headed by childrens favourite Stephen Mulhern, entertained the crowd in fine style and Mayor of Dover Cllr Ronnie Philpott joined them on the stage to add to the entertainment. For those interested, Cinderella is the pantomine this year.
The big switch on happened at 5.30, earlier than previous years, this was so the Marlowe cast could do the same thing elsewhere. They were on a whistle stop tour of switch ons and Deal was next on the itinerary. But the show here in Dover went well. The regular countdown began and as the time drew near the excitement mounted...and then the lever was pulled and on came the lights of Dover. Sadly no lights at all this year in Castle Street... it usually makes for great pictures in Castle Street with the Castle as backdrop...but maybe next year.
The only downside to the Market Square spectacular was that nobody outside the first five or six rows from the barriers could see a thing. I stood in its midst and kids everywhere were too small to see what was going on on the stage.
The Big Screen came into play. But when you go to a LIVE event you dont want to end up watching it on a screen, one gets enough screen time at home, but that's what lots of people were forced to do.
The stage needs to be elevated for next year so that youngsters of all ages can see...even those towards the rear. If we want crowds to come then we must let them see.
Top picture shows the cast of Cinderella..main players are, in blue Stephen Mulhern and next to him in white..The Mayor of Dover Cllr Ronnie Philpott. The picture below shows the ever popular and unusual steel band Bloco Fogo who rattle up a steel storm every time you see them. They also played last years carnival.
See also the Christmas Lights thread in our Forum for more pictures and comment.
Paul Boland.