The Miner -Leave your comments below. Open to everyone.
30 April 2008
See latest comments below.Add yours - PaulB.
Dear Dover Forum, my name is Gary Cox, I am an ex- ferryman and miner, and I am Chairman of the MoveTheMiner Campaign. I was informed of your forum by Sue Nicholas. I have read your comments about the statue and I would like to answer your questions. I tried to register to your forum to reply but you have closed to new members, which is a shame, I spent quite a few hours on the website and think it a great concept and would have liked to join in, however, back to the Statue.
The Statue was commissioned by Central Electricity Board, the sculpture was Mr. H.R. Philips and it was originally bound for Ferry Bridge power station in Yorkshire. However it was later decided to site it outside Richborough power station to commend the entire Miner’s of Kent (not any individual pit) for recognition of all their hard work and toil in keeping the power station working and producing electricity all year round.
When the station closed the C.E.B donated the statue to D.D.C, who then had to find an appropriate place for it to be sited. They sort guidance from the miner’s leaders at that time, but obviously, and I believe, rightly, every pit, village and town wanted the Statue at their favoured place. So, as I understand it, it was decided to place the Statue next to the National Coal board offices, in the position it is now, because there was not a more appropriate place in the Kent Mining area at that time.
The Statue is unique, when you look at a statue of Captain Web, you see Captain Web. When a miner, or family member or friend looks at this Statue, they see, whoever they want to see, whatever memory they want to remember. This statue represents every miner in Kent, past and present.
Apart from some miners living in Dover, who are just as important as any miner living anywhere else in Kent, I am certain that the majority of Kent miners, including some from Dover, have never been happy with the statue being cited next to the Coal Board Offices, especially now that they are not there anymore. Until now, there has not been a more appropriate place for it to go to, with regard to Kent. Of course there are many places for it to go, villages, colliery sites etc, every miner or miner’s family is right in wanting the statue to go to their preferred place, but putting it in a village or town would only benefit that said place, it would not benefit the Kent area as a whole.
Now that there is a Miner’s Way Trail, there is now an opportunity to move the statue to a more appropriate site that would benefit the entire Kent Mining Communities and the many projects that are already in place and many more projects that are being planned.
The MoveTheMiner Campaign was started after many comments were made in local papers asking if the time was right to move the statue. I put a press release in all local papers asking people to meet at the statue to start the campaign; from there we attended a meeting in Aylelsham where it was decided to get as many representatives from all mining communities as possible to sit on the committee and get the feelings from all mining communities about what their wishes were for the future of the statue. We met with D.D.C and we were told that they were willing for the statue to be moved with certain provisos. These were as follows: - consultations must take place with all mining communities.
Any new site must meet with certain requirements, such as planning permission, security, ownership of land, etc.
The cost would have to be met by the committee and not the Council.
They were also concerned about possible clashes within the communities as to the differences of opinions, to the statue’s final resting place, if it was to be re-sited.
Open meetings were set up in all mining communities, well advertised in local papers, and I would like to state now, in all our committee meetings and at all the open meetings that I attended, I only missed one, there was never any conflicts with any miners at any meeting.
A certain Dover Town Councillor made some ill informed comments and some derogatory remarks about our committee in the Dover gazette, and a certain parish councillor made similar accusations in a personnel letter, both, In my opinion, trying to cause trouble amongst the communities. Both failing to do so, I am pleased to say.
When people can get passed their personal preferences and actually see what can be achieved, by moving the Miner’s Statue to the new site, they begin to realize that putting the statue on the Miners Way Trail, at an entrance to one of the new parks and on a main road so it will be seen by many thousands of potential visitors, with five information stones with the history of the four Kent pits and the fifth stone having the map of the Miners Way Trail and information on all the villages and projects within them villages, with floodlights and security camera’s, disabled access, then they start to realize, the Statue can, at last, indeed return home and benefit the whole of the Kent area.
Every mining community and that includes all the surrounding towns, quite rightly have their own reasons why the statue should go to their community , myself and the committee understand and agree with these reasons, but we are asking these communities to understand that there is only one Statue and we believe it should be used for the good of the whole of Kent.
It is also hoped that a replica can be made for Aylesham and a plaque or shield be commissioned for the other areas that will miss out, including Chislet
The cost is to be met by grants donations and fundraising. A final figure has not yet been worked out, but the committee have already received nearly £9.000, in grants and some fundraising.
I will go through your questions now, in no particular order.
Bern
I’m pleased you like the statue, when I said it can conjure up memories, that does include women, they played as big a part in the history of mining as the men, the mining communities will never be replaced but they will never be forgotten either. DDC cabinet will take the final decision.
PaulB
It’s not a cost cutting move. If it does get moved then I and the committee would like to thank the people of Dover for taking such good care of the Statue, we do realize that you will miss it but hope you will come and visit it at its new site and visit the mining villages that have much to offer, a Kent Mining Museum is being planned and will be a wonderful attraction when finished.
Keef
1: the statue is owned by DDC only they have the right to move it
2: every ex miner had the opportunity to offer their opinions, several, well advertised open meetings were held.
3: cabinet will make that decision on the 19th May
4: the miners in Dover mean as much to me as any miner anywhere in Kent. As an ex miner yourself I am surprised you made that comment, If you had come to one of the meetings you would have seen that the committee took the feelings of Dover miners probably more than others because if it does get moved the miners of Dover would be the biggest losers.
Jacqui
You make some very interesting comments, if it were to go to a village it would only be seen by the villages that’s why we believe putting it on a main road will be more beneficial. We have asked many residents of mining communities where they want it? And you might not like this but almost all reply, anywhere within the mining communities but not on Dover seafront.
MaggieSK
I love and agree with your description of the Statue, some people won’t understand but I know if it does get moved, some people will be very upset and emotional about losing it but actually your not losing it, it will still be nearby and it will still be yours.
Harry
You talk as though the committee and other miners have said Dover is not worthy of having the statue, I can assure you that is not the case. The reason people want it moved now is because the opening of the Miners Way Trail has given an opportunity to move it to a more appropriate position, appropriate for Kent not just Dover. Personally, if I lived in Dover I would want it left there, I live in Deal and it would look just great on our seafront or better still at the bottom of my garden, but it was always meant for all Kent Miners not one village or town.
Scotchie
Originally we had talks with Merchant Navy to replace statue with their monument, but they since have negotiated with DDC for a site, so I cant comment anymore on that, except to say the figures you quoted were there funds not ours.
Mandie Sehbi
I don’t understand the “typical of Dover power” as I have said open meetings were held where the public could have voiced their opinions. Who is it you “mis-trust”. What do you mean “the agencies have decided and that’s the end of it?”
JHG
I found your contribution to the forum very encouraging and feel we are on the same wave length. Shame I can’t join the forum I think we could have interesting conversation.
Barry W
I’m glad you agree to move the statue, but horrible, ugly, no asset to Dover, I think you are in the minority there, comrade.
Phil
Your reasoning for moving the statue is very interesting and makes some very good points.
Howard Mcsweeny
No Howard you’re not the only one that likes the statue, it’s only the few that don’t. There are no “vote grabbing community leaders on the committee” although from memory one did try to jump on the bandwagon.
I know others made comments but I think I have answered all questions. If you wish to contact me, please do. ducks12@sky.com
The Picture on left shows Gary Cox in the centre of the group, four of the group are members of the committee, all seen here receiving a supporting cheque from Eileen Rowbotham and Mike Eddie. The other committee members are Mr P Holden (sec & treas), Mr. C Rogers, and Mr Lawrence Knight.
See latest comments below.Add yours - PaulB.
THE KNEELING MINER
from Gary Cox.Dear Dover Forum, my name is Gary Cox, I am an ex- ferryman and miner, and I am Chairman of the MoveTheMiner Campaign. I was informed of your forum by Sue Nicholas. I have read your comments about the statue and I would like to answer your questions. I tried to register to your forum to reply but you have closed to new members, which is a shame, I spent quite a few hours on the website and think it a great concept and would have liked to join in, however, back to the Statue.The Statue was commissioned by Central Electricity Board, the sculpture was Mr. H.R. Philips and it was originally bound for Ferry Bridge power station in Yorkshire. However it was later decided to site it outside Richborough power station to commend the entire Miner’s of Kent (not any individual pit) for recognition of all their hard work and toil in keeping the power station working and producing electricity all year round.
When the station closed the C.E.B donated the statue to D.D.C, who then had to find an appropriate place for it to be sited. They sort guidance from the miner’s leaders at that time, but obviously, and I believe, rightly, every pit, village and town wanted the Statue at their favoured place. So, as I understand it, it was decided to place the Statue next to the National Coal board offices, in the position it is now, because there was not a more appropriate place in the Kent Mining area at that time.
The Statue is unique, when you look at a statue of Captain Web, you see Captain Web. When a miner, or family member or friend looks at this Statue, they see, whoever they want to see, whatever memory they want to remember. This statue represents every miner in Kent, past and present.
Apart from some miners living in Dover, who are just as important as any miner living anywhere else in Kent, I am certain that the majority of Kent miners, including some from Dover, have never been happy with the statue being cited next to the Coal Board Offices, especially now that they are not there anymore. Until now, there has not been a more appropriate place for it to go to, with regard to Kent. Of course there are many places for it to go, villages, colliery sites etc, every miner or miner’s family is right in wanting the statue to go to their preferred place, but putting it in a village or town would only benefit that said place, it would not benefit the Kent area as a whole.
Now that there is a Miner’s Way Trail, there is now an opportunity to move the statue to a more appropriate site that would benefit the entire Kent Mining Communities and the many projects that are already in place and many more projects that are being planned.
The MoveTheMiner Campaign was started after many comments were made in local papers asking if the time was right to move the statue. I put a press release in all local papers asking people to meet at the statue to start the campaign; from there we attended a meeting in Aylelsham where it was decided to get as many representatives from all mining communities as possible to sit on the committee and get the feelings from all mining communities about what their wishes were for the future of the statue. We met with D.D.C and we were told that they were willing for the statue to be moved with certain provisos. These were as follows: - consultations must take place with all mining communities.
Any new site must meet with certain requirements, such as planning permission, security, ownership of land, etc.
The cost would have to be met by the committee and not the Council.
They were also concerned about possible clashes within the communities as to the differences of opinions, to the statue’s final resting place, if it was to be re-sited.
Open meetings were set up in all mining communities, well advertised in local papers, and I would like to state now, in all our committee meetings and at all the open meetings that I attended, I only missed one, there was never any conflicts with any miners at any meeting.
A certain Dover Town Councillor made some ill informed comments and some derogatory remarks about our committee in the Dover gazette, and a certain parish councillor made similar accusations in a personnel letter, both, In my opinion, trying to cause trouble amongst the communities. Both failing to do so, I am pleased to say.
When people can get passed their personal preferences and actually see what can be achieved, by moving the Miner’s Statue to the new site, they begin to realize that putting the statue on the Miners Way Trail, at an entrance to one of the new parks and on a main road so it will be seen by many thousands of potential visitors, with five information stones with the history of the four Kent pits and the fifth stone having the map of the Miners Way Trail and information on all the villages and projects within them villages, with floodlights and security camera’s, disabled access, then they start to realize, the Statue can, at last, indeed return home and benefit the whole of the Kent area.
Every mining community and that includes all the surrounding towns, quite rightly have their own reasons why the statue should go to their community , myself and the committee understand and agree with these reasons, but we are asking these communities to understand that there is only one Statue and we believe it should be used for the good of the whole of Kent.
It is also hoped that a replica can be made for Aylesham and a plaque or shield be commissioned for the other areas that will miss out, including Chislet
The cost is to be met by grants donations and fundraising. A final figure has not yet been worked out, but the committee have already received nearly £9.000, in grants and some fundraising.
I will go through your questions now, in no particular order.
Bern
I’m pleased you like the statue, when I said it can conjure up memories, that does include women, they played as big a part in the history of mining as the men, the mining communities will never be replaced but they will never be forgotten either. DDC cabinet will take the final decision.
PaulB
It’s not a cost cutting move. If it does get moved then I and the committee would like to thank the people of Dover for taking such good care of the Statue, we do realize that you will miss it but hope you will come and visit it at its new site and visit the mining villages that have much to offer, a Kent Mining Museum is being planned and will be a wonderful attraction when finished.
Keef
1: the statue is owned by DDC only they have the right to move it
2: every ex miner had the opportunity to offer their opinions, several, well advertised open meetings were held.
3: cabinet will make that decision on the 19th May
4: the miners in Dover mean as much to me as any miner anywhere in Kent. As an ex miner yourself I am surprised you made that comment, If you had come to one of the meetings you would have seen that the committee took the feelings of Dover miners probably more than others because if it does get moved the miners of Dover would be the biggest losers.
Jacqui
You make some very interesting comments, if it were to go to a village it would only be seen by the villages that’s why we believe putting it on a main road will be more beneficial. We have asked many residents of mining communities where they want it? And you might not like this but almost all reply, anywhere within the mining communities but not on Dover seafront.
MaggieSK
I love and agree with your description of the Statue, some people won’t understand but I know if it does get moved, some people will be very upset and emotional about losing it but actually your not losing it, it will still be nearby and it will still be yours.
Harry
You talk as though the committee and other miners have said Dover is not worthy of having the statue, I can assure you that is not the case. The reason people want it moved now is because the opening of the Miners Way Trail has given an opportunity to move it to a more appropriate position, appropriate for Kent not just Dover. Personally, if I lived in Dover I would want it left there, I live in Deal and it would look just great on our seafront or better still at the bottom of my garden, but it was always meant for all Kent Miners not one village or town.
Scotchie
Originally we had talks with Merchant Navy to replace statue with their monument, but they since have negotiated with DDC for a site, so I cant comment anymore on that, except to say the figures you quoted were there funds not ours.
Mandie Sehbi
I don’t understand the “typical of Dover power” as I have said open meetings were held where the public could have voiced their opinions. Who is it you “mis-trust”. What do you mean “the agencies have decided and that’s the end of it?”
JHG
I found your contribution to the forum very encouraging and feel we are on the same wave length. Shame I can’t join the forum I think we could have interesting conversation.
Barry W
I’m glad you agree to move the statue, but horrible, ugly, no asset to Dover, I think you are in the minority there, comrade.
Phil
Your reasoning for moving the statue is very interesting and makes some very good points.
Howard Mcsweeny
No Howard you’re not the only one that likes the statue, it’s only the few that don’t. There are no “vote grabbing community leaders on the committee” although from memory one did try to jump on the bandwagon.
I know others made comments but I think I have answered all questions. If you wish to contact me, please do. ducks12@sky.com The Picture on left shows Gary Cox in the centre of the group, four of the group are members of the committee, all seen here receiving a supporting cheque from Eileen Rowbotham and Mike Eddie. The other committee members are Mr P Holden (sec & treas), Mr. C Rogers, and Mr Lawrence Knight.
- You state open meeting were held, and that the public could have attended. WHEN???? I do not remember ever seeing anything in the press regarding this. If meetings were held they certainly WERE NOT advertised very well.
As for who I mistrust. The answer to that is quite simple. Anyone who feels it is okay to make decisions without gauging the feeling of the town. The Town does not belong to any council, it belongs to the people, and the people should be properly informed of so called consultations, and often they are not. - i am sorry you are so mis-trusting mandie, but the meetings were well advertized, i cant make people read local papers or make them attend the meetings, but many people did and were able to voice their opinion's, this campaign is all about listening to peoples views.
- Personally... what is the fuss. I think that the miner's statute should be kept where it is. It has been in the town for a long tiem and therefore many people will remember it. I understand that people wish to move it but it is in a more prominent place. I am not aware as to why people always wish to move things that are in a good place already and personally why worry about it... creating press etc when Dover needs other new things --. I appreciate all comments made. Mandie I salute what you are saying -- as always we never hear anything until it has happened and you are right we need to have more advertising of this. Once upon a time everyone knew what was going on in this town but it seems so many people are in their own groups and not working together i.e. we have the DTC, then DTCM and then different councillors etc etc. I am forming the opinion that Dover has a bright future if everyone works together. LET'S WORK ON ANOTHER PROJECT THAT DOVER NEEDS!
- It was put in Dover for a good reason - that has not changed. It is seen now by many more people - and especially tourists who will learn that this was a centre of mining. Of course everyone will vote for having it near them but on the deal sandwich road isnt the best or most secure place. It seems that a huge amount of funding has been allocated for something that shouldnt even be considered. Leave it where it is - DTC has so voted.
D - To David H, the reason the statue was put there was because of the National Coal Board Offices and it has changed, they are no longer there. Myself and the Committee asked several times if we could attend a dover town council meeting to discuss and listen to their views on this subject but they declined, actually they never replied, which is a shame, the committee strived to meet with as many people as they possibly could, to discuss this issue. Perhaps you could inform me why Dover TC did not want discuss the Statue with us?
- Gary I see you post Deal as your location. Is this where you live?? If so why stick your nose into a Dover issue?
Just because the coal board who originally put the miner there are not there now, what right does it give to anyone to have it moved??
Another simple answer NONE!! - I would just like to thank Gary for taking the trouble of writing such an interesting post and providing us with the background to the statue move. On top of that Gary has clearly read and digested all of our posts and I think replying to each of us individually was a lovely gesture whether or not he agreed with us. If only more posters on internet forums showed such courtesy!
On another point Gary has every right to post here on a Dover site, especially on an issue concerning Dover. Deal is only 7 miles away - just a stones throw; many of us have families and friends in both towns and many commute between the two. I do hope we don't go down the road of only being allowed an opinion if it concerns your home town, we should all be allowed to voice our opinions on any topic whatever that may be. It's called tolerance and freedom of speech, something our heroic ancestors fought and died for.
Please continue to keep us updated Gary, and thanks again for your post. - The point I was making Phil was that as the mier is situated in Dover, It shoule be a DOVER choice of where it should be. not saying Gary isn't entitled to an opinion, just that if he is part of the group who have decided where the miner should be going. It would be like me strolling into deal telling them I am moving the Time ball tower elsewhere.
- I think that the statue would look more at home gazing out onto the former coal field than he does looking out to sea.
Good luck in your endeavour to move him.
And I,for one,don't think that you are poking your nose in.
How rude that comment was - Well said Phil.
- I am forming the opinion that we should move onto another subject. It seems the majority wish for the miners statute to stay where it is which I totally agree on SO DO IT-- LET'S STOP GETTING BORING. PaulB could you add another thread?
Regards
Lee - And in fact Gary -- answer this question -- if you were to move it (which I can't see) what would you put in its place?
- Jacqui
QUOTE: "You make some very interesting comments, if it were to go to a village it would only be seen by the villages that’s why we believe putting it on a main road will be more beneficial. We have asked many residents of mining communities where they want it? And you might not like this but almost all reply, anywhere within the mining communities but not on Dover seafront.. " WHO EXACTLY SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T WANT IT ON THE SEAFRONT GARY -- I WAS ONE OF THE PEOPLE YOU ASKED AND I SAID I LIKED IT ON THE SEAFRONT!!! - Many thanks for your informative posting Gary, it answered all questions posed I feel, I think the main concern for many is that The Miner has been gazing out to sea from it's prominent position on the Dover seafront that he has become part of the landscape so to speak, I for one will miss it as it is a moving work of art and a great conversation piece for tourist and locals alike.
- to Mandie yes i live in deal and worked at betteshanger colliery and if i was to give you a selfish answer , i would tell you that i would like to see the Statue sited at Betteshanger Colliery but because the statue was to commemorate the Miners of kent then i think we have to rise above our selfish local preferences and think whats best for the whole of kent. the coal board did not put the statue on dover seafront, as i have said before the south eastern electricity board donated it to DDC and they put it on dover seafront.
- to lee, if the statue were to be moved, personally i would like to see some sort of monument or plaque, for all souls lost in our Straights of Dover, in wartime and peace time, including the victims of the Herald.
- to Jacqui i am more than willing to answer all your questions but please dont mis-quote me then expect a reply. i did not say everyone wants the statue moved, in fact i have gone to great lenghts to say the opposite, there are plenty of people who want the statue to stay where it is but we have spoken to a larger cross-section of people and many more people want the stautue moved from dover, i cant name them, they are too many but that is the truth, thats also democracy.
- you have certainly stirred up a hornets nest there gary.
i think we all appreciate that you have gone out of your way to answer peoples concerns.
i would still like to see the statue stay here, but can understand why you think it should be moved.
i did guffaw at your comment about writing to our town council and not getting a reply.
next time, write directly to the bermuda triangle!! - may i apologise to jacqui, my last comment was for Barry W-S and not jacqui, sorry again.
- To Howard, i dont blame you for wanting to keep it, the Statue is very special.I did not intend to stir up trouble, when i read the comments on this forum, many people were saying that they had not had the chance to have their say or that they had not been consulted, i thought this would give them that chance.
- Thank you Garry for posting on here and setting the record straight.I know we talked at some lenght after my comments were lifted into the press,however its a cross we have to bare.The final report and for decision will come before cabinet on 19th May.To make it clear that decision will be made by councillors who live and represent different parts of the District.
Meetings were advertised and numerous letters and comments were made in the press.
If cabinet agree It will be going home.
I think another worth while memorial will be placed on the sea front,watch this space.
Garry its a delight to see you are thinking of the best for everyone.I recommend people to buy the book and walk along the Miners Way. - My position is quite clear Gary,and thanks for your clear explanation,Yes I would like to see the Miner in Dover,but I would prefer a Merchant Navy Memorial,and I remember reading about the Miner's move in the paper,the whole point about having plaques statues and other memorials is that they have to be near or on the site of where the achievement that they are bringing to us is relevent,and I know the NCB headquaters were in Dover and there was a small pit at Sheakespear Cliff,but where the earth was scared and now renewed because of mining is Fowlmead.(Betteshanger)
Hopefully the other mining sites at Tilmanstone and Snowdown in this area will be redeveloped very soon,we do not want to forget our mining heritage,just tidy it up.Being brought up in Sandwich I remember the miner at Richborough Power Station. - i agree totally with you john, a merchant navy memorial would be very appropriate.
however, many of us love the statue for the very reasons that gary has spoken about.
i would miss it. - Hi Gary,
Only just caught up with this story.
Fantastic article, very informative, thank you.
As Sue has said before - if you stick your head above the parapet you'll get shot at lol Not by me though - you keep up the good work and good luck to you. Thanks again Gary
Luv Jacqui x - Hi Gary I think you are getting me mixed up with someone else called Barry but it's not me, I agree with everything you have said and support you whole-heartedly. Thanks once again
- my deepest apologies Barry W-S the comment was for Barry, i'm a bit of a virgin at this, i must make sure i get it right next time, i think this is a great site and would like to take part in more threads.
- Thanks for the reply, It is interesting that ex mining villages are being looked at for the statue, yet its admitted a large number of miners came from Dover.
Who decides which is the best place for it? by the sounds of it DDC?
not had the cost of moving it yet, hats an interesting one"
- I think that Gary's campaign is worthwhile. I am very much in favour of it being removed. The statue was only placed there for the reasons Gary has quoted. I think those people that are being very critical need to think about what they are saying. The statue belongs in the coal mining villages and I think that if anyone needs to support it -- its those people here on this forum.
You have my support Gary - Wasnt me either Barry W-S. too many barry's posting.
- I would like to thank all that have allowed me to post my feelings and ideas on your forum, about the Statue, not just the members who support me but those who dont as well, everyone has the right to their opinion and without hearing from all sides you will never get the whole picture, its important to listen to everyones view, especially with a community issue like this.
Thank you all
- it has been one of the best threads on here for a long time.
let us hear you views on other issues that affect dover district gary.
most of us live near the epicentre of the district, so we do not hear much
about problems that people from the outer reaches encounter. - Those who are opposed to the statue being moved should try to remember that the statue was not designed to represent Dover or any specific location, but was constructed as a tribute to the men and woman who worked in the coalfields and their families. It sat outside Richborough powerstation from 1966-1997 before being passed to Dover. Dover has in effect 'babysat' it for eleven years and has been fortunate to do so. However, now the Move the Miner Campaign has now found a more appropriate usage of the statue for the Miners Way Trail which is much more in keeping with the sprit of the statue. In its new location the statue will help raise the profile of the East Kent mining community. This is a good thing and should be welcomed.
The issue should not be a negative one about Dover losing an asset, but a positive one in that the statue will raise awareness of the pits elsewhere which is part of our common heritage. If one attempts broadens one's horizons beyond Dover and considers that we are still East Kent citizens then re-siting the statue to promote our common heritage really isn't such a bad thing.
The beautiful Battle of Britain memorial at Capel is barely accessible to anyone who does not live there or who does not have a car, yet I defy anyone who has been there to think of a more appropriate setting. We should think of the Miner's Statue in this way. The BOB memorial may receive more visitors if it had been put slap-bang in the middle of Pencester, but such a setting would be entirely inappropriate for reasons too numerous to list. Visitor numbers should not always dictate the location of memorials and tributes.
I'm sure the Miner's Way Trail will make full use of the statue and that a great deal of thought has gone nto the relocation. This is no arbitrary uprooting, but a thoughtful and considered move to help promote an important part of Kent's heritage into the future.
Although most of us live in Dover and have a vested interest, we should not become too Dover-centric about this issue.
- I think that the statue should be where the minors worked. So that the memories of the people that worked there can be reconigsed and to show people that this was the place that it all happened. Why be on dover seafront when it could be near where the minors worked. People have a lot of memories from betsanger and would like it to be reconigsed that bettsanger was the heart of the coal miners in this area not dover seafront.
- Miners Son
Trouble with putting it at Bettshanger is what about Chislet/tilmanstone/snowdown etc?
who decides? why pick 1 pit?they all did the same work
and still we don't the cost of moving it from seafront
- To Keith, Dover, i do not see the point in answering your first 3 questions, as they have been covered many times in previous comments. About the cost, we do not know if the Statue is being moved yet, estimates have been acquired but I fail to see how this would benefit anyone by posting them on here. The most important thing for you to know (already stated earlier) one of the first provisos given by DDC was "AT NO COST TO DDC"
As for the miners son's comments, for which i would like to thank him for, I feel you completely missed his point, he was trying to say, IN HIS VIEW, with the Statue being on Dover seafront, HE does not feel it is amongst the mining communities of Kent, i expect his father worked at Betteshanger which is why he made it his preference, just like you choose Dover.
I think the tone in which you replied to this young lad was wrong.
And if you are the Keef(EX-MINER) who made comments in earlier thread, then I am even more disappointed.
- Hi
All im trying to say is ok its not going to cost taxpayers ok
the other point is Bettshanger has many miners as does all the other ex pits and Dovorians also worked down them
So where ever the statue goes its going to upset the others
fair point? - hi, keith, Dover. of course its ok to ask about cost, all i was trying to point out was that i had already covered that subject, i apologise if you missed it and the point that we want the statue to go on the Miners Way Trail, not at a colliery and that i have agreed many times that i understand, that not all will be happy if it does get moved.
- Garyc
Cheers for clarrification thats all i'v been saying
- There is a very good feature by Kathy Bailes on The Miner in this weeks Dover Express, see page 14. Kathy of course is also a member of DoverForum too. It seems that our DDC Cabinet members will decide the statues fate this coming week...monday I think. Will they opt for moving it away? Will Dover lose it?
I myself think there is a groundswell of new opinion to keep The Miner where he is, right here on Dover Seafront, where it is seen and appreciated by a great many people. There were I believe public meetings before on the issue but these things are notoriously always under-attended
For true democracy, the Dover Town Council are more representative of the people of inner Dover, of which I am one, than any other body. Dover Town Council have voted to keep the statue here in Dover. There are a number of leading DTC Councillors quoted in the article who speak in favour of keeping it here...Mayor Bob Markham, Ex Mayor Jan Tranter ,leading Cllr Gordon Cowan and so on. Surely these elected representatives of the people of inner Dover should not be ignored. They are elected to speak for the people.The people have voted therefore to keep it. - Hi PaulB, yes, it was a good piece by Kathy. For true democracy, surely its up to the Miners of Kent to say where the statue goes, not Dover town council, and I disagree with Jan Tranter that “it is seen by Millions” any traffic going to either dock does not pass the statue and any person on a ferry or cruise ship cannot see the statue, and when visitors do see the statue, does it encourage them to seek out all the other Mining Communities or Towns or Villages or the projects that are ongoing in these Communities, no it does not. I say yet again the people of Dover t.c are being very selfish and not looking at the bigger picture.
- I am very pleased to inform you that the Cabinet agreed to allow us, to move the Statue to the entrance of Fowlmead Park. With clear emphasis that the whole operation will be at no cost to D.D.C, that the move will be conducted in a proper manner, by experience contractors and be safe and secure. I know we can achieve those provisos, so I am pleased to say the Miners Statue is going to a position where it will benefit the whole of the Kent Mining Communities. I truly thank the people of Dover for taking such good care of the statue and I truly hope you will all come and visit it at its new site and visit the parks and projects and other Mining Communities all along the splendid Miners Way Trail, along with all the places of interest throughout Kent, that will be displayed at the new site, Dover will be there with its historic Mining background and many place’s of interest for visitors to see and encourage them to visit your lovely town. We will be working together with all the communities to have a replica Statue for Aylesham, and some sort of plaque for other areas and as was stated at the start of this campaign, the committee and many people want to replace the statue on Dover seafront with something to commemorate the tragic loss of lives that have occurred in the channel over many years. Suggestions would be appreciated.
- Congratulations Gary. This is the right decision and even better that DDC will not be carrying the cost. It's good to see that Aylesham and the other communities will receive suitable tributes too.
Although I may be in the minority in this forum, I fully support the move. This issue was a greater one than Dover seafront, though many do not wish, or cannot, see beyond that. It's only right that it should go somewhere where it will more appropriately represent the former East Kent mining comunity.
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