The Front Page. - Copy 249 ( Grand Shaft Climb. RNLI Capt White retires,Dramatic Sky Dover Straits.
3 April 2012
The Dover Western Heights Preservation Society would like to announce the Grand Shaft Challenge on Saturday April 7th.
The Grand Shaft is a 200 year old 140ft staircase designed for soldiers to descend from their barracks on the hill to the seafront in as fast a time as possible.
To complete the exhausting Grand Shaft Everest Challenge three amazing local teenagers, Kelly, Tess and Sam, plan to climb the Shaft an incredible 77 times each until between them the girls have reached the equivalent height of Mount Everest.
The aim is to raise money for the Western Heights Preservation Society, a small group of local volunteers who will use the funds to maintain and help preserve the crumbling military ruins on the western hills of Dover.
The location is Snargate Street, Dover and the event starts at 9am Saturday 7th April. Parking is available above the Shaft on the Grand Shaft Barracks site. The day promises to be fun with local community groups, Napoleonic re-enactors and a band.
Leading Volunteer Phil Eyden said : "Please come and sponsor three plucky teenagers who intend to achieve the impossible! Mayor of Dover Ronnie Philpott will wish the girls good luck just before they set off at 9am. We should also have some re-enactors fire a volley to mark 'Go!' I expect the climb will take at least six hours, but of course we can't be certain of timings. We'll have the Grand Shaft Barracks site barrier open for parking from 8am."
The girls can be sponsored on the day or via the Just Giving website via http://www.justgiving.com/whps
Top Picture of the re-enactor at the entrance to the Grand Shaft is by Phil Eyden.
Picture left is of the action girls Tess Kelly and Sam.. and on the right the top of the Grand Shaft is by Paul Scotchie Wells. Good Luck from Doverforum.
* * *
Dover’s RNLI lifeboat station has a new volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) as the current one Capt. Peter White retires after more than 33 years in the role. His replacement is RNLI Silver medallist and the station’s former Mechanic/Second Coxswain Roy Couzens.
The role of Lifeboat Operations Manager (A position formerly known as Honorary Secretary) is crucial to ensure the smooth running of the station. The LOM is entrusted by the Institution with overall responsibility for the lifeboat launching in response to assistance requests from HM Coastguard or other emergency services.
Peter White grew up in Hythe before going to sea at the age of 16. Peter progressed through the ranks serving on School Cruise ships, cargo vessels, training ships and landing craft. Peter came ashore as Assistant Harbour Master with Dover Harbour Board in 1973. In 1977 he was invited to join the Dover Lifeboat Committee and later that year was offered the position of Honorary Secretary. He continued in his volunteer role for the RNLI at Dover during his promotion to Harbour Master at Dover and subsequent appointment as Harbour Master at Medway Ports.
Peter has been responsible for the station’s lifeboat and crew and seen many changes in lifeboat technology and the numbers of call outs as well as the lifeboat station moving location around the port three times. In 2000 he was awarded a Gold Badge by the Institution to recognise his service to the Station. One of his proudest moments came in 1979 when the Queen Mother visited the Station to name the Thames class lifeboat RNLB Rotary Service.
RNLB Rotary Service also has special memories for the new LOM, Roy Couzens. He trained as an apprentice motor mechanic in Deal before becoming an AA mobile mechanic. After joining the army and several tours overseas he settled in Dover. His long association with the RNLI began when in 1976 he was persuaded to join the lifeboat crew. He eventually became the station’s Mechanic/Second Coxswain until The Great Storm of 16th October 1987 when during a call out aboard Rotary Service he was injured and had to retire from being an active crew member. As a result of his bravery during that service call he was recognised with a number of awards including a Silver medal for gallantry by the RNLI.
After his retirement from the crew Roy continued with his garage and diving businesses but maintained his contact with the station and in 2007 was appointed Deputy Launching Authority.
At a Presentation evening members of the crew past and present were joined by many others including the Divisional Inspector and representatives from other RNLI stations to thank Peter for his years of hard work given to the Institution. During the evening, he was presented with a number of gifts including an artwork by Branch Chairman Capt. Laurie Quigley, a cruet set and fountain pen. Peter’s wife Beryl, who has supported him throughout his time with Dover lifeboat, was given special recognition and presented with theatre tickets and flowers.
Andrew Ashton, Divisional Inspector for the RNLI, who presented Peter with a framed certificate detailing his service was also able to report to those present that Peter’s long service has been officially recognised by the RNLI with a bar to his gold badge.
Peter White said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the RNLI at Dover and have had the privilege of representing an excellent charity. I have had the honour of working with and enjoying the company of a very special team of very dedicated and caring people. The camaraderie and professionalism of all associated with the RNLI and its volunteer teams is second to none. “
Roy Couzens said of his appointment: “It is a great honour to be chosen to take on this role. Peter has done a fantastic job in ensuring the Dover Lifeboat Station has been organised and ready to respond to emergencies day and night. I have a large pair of shoes to fill in order to live up to his achievements but I have a good team to support me. On behalf of the Station I’d like to wish Peter all the best on his retirement.“
Top picture shows Peter White on the left being presented with his special RNLI certificate marking his long service by the Divisonal Inspector Andrew Ashton. Second smaller picture further down the page shows Peter White handing over to Roy Couzens on the left.
Dramatic sky above and no mistake, this is the sky above the Dover Straits, hit the f11 key for max effect...but check out all our Springtime pictures by our ace forumites in the link below...
http://www.doverforum.com/letters/viewtopic.php?id=9578
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AMAZING EVENT at DOVER Easter Saturday 7th April
The Dover Western Heights Preservation Society would like to announce the Grand Shaft Challenge on Saturday April 7th. The Grand Shaft is a 200 year old 140ft staircase designed for soldiers to descend from their barracks on the hill to the seafront in as fast a time as possible.
To complete the exhausting Grand Shaft Everest Challenge three amazing local teenagers, Kelly, Tess and Sam, plan to climb the Shaft an incredible 77 times each until between them the girls have reached the equivalent height of Mount Everest.
The aim is to raise money for the Western Heights Preservation Society, a small group of local volunteers who will use the funds to maintain and help preserve the crumbling military ruins on the western hills of Dover.
The location is Snargate Street, Dover and the event starts at 9am Saturday 7th April. Parking is available above the Shaft on the Grand Shaft Barracks site. The day promises to be fun with local community groups, Napoleonic re-enactors and a band.
Leading Volunteer Phil Eyden said : "Please come and sponsor three plucky teenagers who intend to achieve the impossible! Mayor of Dover Ronnie Philpott will wish the girls good luck just before they set off at 9am. We should also have some re-enactors fire a volley to mark 'Go!' I expect the climb will take at least six hours, but of course we can't be certain of timings. We'll have the Grand Shaft Barracks site barrier open for parking from 8am."
The girls can be sponsored on the day or via the Just Giving website via http://www.justgiving.com/whps
Top Picture of the re-enactor at the entrance to the Grand Shaft is by Phil Eyden.
Picture left is of the action girls Tess Kelly and Sam.. and on the right the top of the Grand Shaft is by Paul Scotchie Wells. Good Luck from Doverforum.
* * *
There’s a new hand on the helm at Dover Lifeboat Station as Capt Peter White retires.
Dover’s RNLI lifeboat station has a new volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) as the current one Capt. Peter White retires after more than 33 years in the role. His replacement is RNLI Silver medallist and the station’s former Mechanic/Second Coxswain Roy Couzens.The role of Lifeboat Operations Manager (A position formerly known as Honorary Secretary) is crucial to ensure the smooth running of the station. The LOM is entrusted by the Institution with overall responsibility for the lifeboat launching in response to assistance requests from HM Coastguard or other emergency services.
Peter White grew up in Hythe before going to sea at the age of 16. Peter progressed through the ranks serving on School Cruise ships, cargo vessels, training ships and landing craft. Peter came ashore as Assistant Harbour Master with Dover Harbour Board in 1973. In 1977 he was invited to join the Dover Lifeboat Committee and later that year was offered the position of Honorary Secretary.
Peter has been responsible for the station’s lifeboat and crew and seen many changes in lifeboat technology and the numbers of call outs as well as the lifeboat station moving location around the port three times. In 2000 he was awarded a Gold Badge by the Institution to recognise his service to the Station. One of his proudest moments came in 1979 when the Queen Mother visited the Station to name the Thames class lifeboat RNLB Rotary Service.
RNLB Rotary Service also has special memories for the new LOM, Roy Couzens. He trained as an apprentice motor mechanic in Deal before becoming an AA mobile mechanic. After joining the army and several tours overseas he settled in Dover. His long association with the RNLI began when in 1976 he was persuaded to join the lifeboat crew. He eventually became the station’s Mechanic/Second Coxswain until The Great Storm of 16th October 1987 when during a call out aboard Rotary Service he was injured and had to retire from being an active crew member. As a result of his bravery during that service call he was recognised with a number of awards including a Silver medal for gallantry by the RNLI.After his retirement from the crew Roy continued with his garage and diving businesses but maintained his contact with the station and in 2007 was appointed Deputy Launching Authority.
At a Presentation evening members of the crew past and present were joined by many others including the Divisional Inspector and representatives from other RNLI stations to thank Peter for his years of hard work given to the Institution. During the evening, he was presented with a number of gifts including an artwork by Branch Chairman Capt. Laurie Quigley, a cruet set and fountain pen. Peter’s wife Beryl, who has supported him throughout his time with Dover lifeboat, was given special recognition and presented with theatre tickets and flowers.
Andrew Ashton, Divisional Inspector for the RNLI, who presented Peter with a framed certificate detailing his service was also able to report to those present that Peter’s long service has been officially recognised by the RNLI with a bar to his gold badge.
Peter White said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the RNLI at Dover and have had the privilege of representing an excellent charity. I have had the honour of working with and enjoying the company of a very special team of very dedicated and caring people. The camaraderie and professionalism of all associated with the RNLI and its volunteer teams is second to none. “
Roy Couzens said of his appointment: “It is a great honour to be chosen to take on this role. Peter has done a fantastic job in ensuring the Dover Lifeboat Station has been organised and ready to respond to emergencies day and night. I have a large pair of shoes to fill in order to live up to his achievements but I have a good team to support me. On behalf of the Station I’d like to wish Peter all the best on his retirement.“
Top picture shows Peter White on the left being presented with his special RNLI certificate marking his long service by the Divisonal Inspector Andrew Ashton. Second smaller picture further down the page shows Peter White handing over to Roy Couzens on the left.
- Report and Pictures above by Martin Collins -
Dramatic sky above and no mistake, this is the sky above the Dover Straits, hit the f11 key for max effect...but check out all our Springtime pictures by our ace forumites in the link below...
http://www.doverforum.com/letters/viewtopic.php?id=9578