It is, as usual, a question of degree....I enjoy a drink and particularly would enjoy a quiet pint or glass or two of white wine as they do in Paris, watching the world go by, chatting with friends, sitting in a cafe or on the pavement seats. Hopefully I would not be downing quarts of superstrength lager, hissing in the gutter and swearing at mothers with children. If I were doing the latter I would hopefully be taken away and suitable redress sought, with a bit of luck by the police. Pencester is potentially lovely but needs to be managed to reduce the risks to users and promote its use by people who are less likely to be offensive. It also needs someone to clear away the used needles in the gtrass and in the public toilets. Until these things are in place it will remain a volatile and unpreditable place to use. Sadly.
Guest 654- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 169
but the point is being missed, Its great to see pencester being upgraded, and the debate will go on as to wheter or not the skateboard is in right place
but a bigger point is how many other play areas are to close to achieve pencester?
numbers and where please
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
Just to pop in with an aside - a popular trick amongst the p*ssheads to disguise booze in Pencester Park is to hide a four pack of Special Brew in a plastic bag and tie it to a tree stump overhanging the Dour. They will take a can, sit on a bench and drink it, so that if an officer of Mr. Peel's Constabulary confiscates it, they still have a hidden supply out of sight.
I've witnessed his with my own eyes so trust me with this one!
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Hi Phil
I advised the Police of that last year and they acknowledged it with grateful thanks, sp hopefully they'll remember to look in the river for their drinks.
I walk through Pencester quite a lot on my various visits to businesses around Town and haven't seen these p***-heads there recently - not during the day anyway.
Why are you still saying that play areas are closing Keith ? - you know (from when you were a Councillor) it has been argued about and stated many times, that this is not the case.
There are a number of (delicate) discussions on with Councils to help ensure their future.
The only reason the play areas were in such a state was because there was no, or very little, investment from the Labour administration who were in power for 10 years - what did you do with that 11 million pounds of reserves you were given ?
Talk about the pot calling the kettle black !
Roger
Guest 654- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 169
Don't forget you heard it here, NO PLAY to close.
Now, if this is the case then fantastic,
but when they start dismantling play equipment and then say, but we are not clsing the area the grass is still there
dont say i didnt warn you.
If i'm wrong and the propoed play area closure programme does not go ahead then fine I will hold my hands up
but im not convinced.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
You've heard it so many times Keith.
You keep ignoring the fact that more investment (any) from the Labour group would have meant all play areas would be guaranteed to keep their equipment, as it would be in good condition, now it must be 15 or more years old and you have the cheek to grumble about the Conservatives.
The play equipment needs to be used as well of course, it's no good spending thousands and thousands of pounds on play equipment, then no one (or just one or two) use it - it would be a waste of Council tax-payers money - the majority must surely need to feel they will be getting value for money for what they pay.
I'm not a Cabinet-member, so I don't have any insider-information, but that's how I understand it.
Roger
Guest 654- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 169
so some play equipment will be taken out
thank you roger i was correct
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
keith
yet again you have failed to understand what other posters say.
instead of insisting on getting your name on every thread, maybe it would be best to actually read and digest what
people say.
Guest 643- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,321
Well said Howard.
Keith right now you are just posting inane comments, you're not saying anything constructive. Howard's right - you just seem to be trying to post the most messages without much thought on what you are saying. If you read Rogers posting properly he tells you what is happening. Trying to score points just because he wears a different colour to you is very non productive. My motto is if you've nowt to say - say nowt.
There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok".
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
As far as Keith's comments about play areas are concerned,my information is 25 play areas are closing in the District including all 5 in Mill Hill Deal
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 654- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 169
So Jacqui/howard
If John is correct I'v havn't missed the point at all.
Im happy to hear from posters about the 25 play areas being closed
maybe John can name them and we can have an open debate?
If I recall, unless its been updated the mount road play area was own for closure, a well used small play area, just one example of 25 probably
over to you john
Guest 648- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 258
Keith you are being very naughty you were a councillor when the issuie of play areas was debated.A consultation document was written and it was confirmed DDC are over subsribed with play areas 72 in all.Many are run by Parish Councils.A decision was taken that DDC could only afford to maintain strategic sites.Two of those Pencester Gardens and Marke Wood which we obtained Big Lottery funding for.The remaining sites many were Housing Revenue Account and the tenants were not prepared to make a decision on those .Most of those were in Mill Hill area .Town Councils were approahed to see if they would like to maintain some of the play areas Mount Road and Barwick Road are prime areas which could be taken over by Dover Town Council.Ringwould Parish Council also Sandwich Town Council are taken over play areas.The debate was very long and you had the answers then.
Guest 654- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 169
Sue
Thankyou for your comments, but I have no Idea if play areas(or which ones)are still down for closure
as these SECRET talks were ongoing even after I left the council.
Any play area closure will have an impact on that community, and who decides which play area to remain and which to close?
theres a minefield here,
So Sue(or John)
maybe you can update me (and everyone)
and if your telling me Sue that talks with town council has resulted in them taking them on all well and good, if not could you please inform me which play areas are to close
thanks
k
You can bet your life that the one in Northbourne Avenus is set to go. There is little or nothing as it is for the younger ones up in the Hamlets, so that one is sure to be on the list.
Thye will use the "Go to Elms vale rec" as the selling point, but that really isn't great if you have a few little ones in tow.
I would be very interested in hearing exactly which play areas are earmarked to go
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
I don't have the full list Keith,I actually got the figs from a fellow Councillor for Mill Hill,another thing comes to mind,we are rated by the DDC for these parks,and like all parks they do not make money,so by offering them to Parish Councils who rate us as well,we are paying for them twice,and because they do not make money many Parish/Town Councils will not take them on,so they are run down until they are dangerous and then closed for H & S reasons.
If you are in any doubt about some Parish Councils who are usually not in a position to run these area's or employ a caretaker/groundsman,then look at the Western Heights Sports ground. Because they need a new changing facility they can not be used until a something like 250,000 is put into it,now I know the Western Heights is not a play area but a sports field,but if the equipment needs changing say in Guston,and they are left with a bill of £20,000 to update thier equipment,they ain't going to do it,result closed down not by the District by the Parish seems a get out and pass the buck to me.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 654- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 169
Mandie;
Its an interesting posting by Sue, who is clearly saying we have TO MANY play areas!!!!!!
When I last had the list Northbourne play area was down for for closure, but I don't have any up to date list so i HAVE NO Idea which are closing and which are staying open.
If John is correct and 25 are to close then that is worrying, And if there is an update on Town councils taking some on
that to would be a worry, do they just pick the good ones? if they do what happens to the others?
I'm just trying to make you all aware this Is in the pipeline, and its to late complaining when the workmen turn up to dismantle the equipment.
So Sue can we have an update on the closure programme please.?
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
The play area on Northbourne is very well used by the very young and teenagers without too many problems. there is also a social hut there which is used by the Scouts.Youth Club and private hirers wishing to celebrate a party.It will be a bloody shame if it loses its play facilities.
Keef
It could be difficult for Sue to name any play area thats earmarked for closure outside of the DDC chambers.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
What happen to the £200,000 put by for the new play area up Folkstone RD THAT funding was put to one side after the sale of all the hotels and propertys and some of that funding was put there by the developers for the play area in FOLKSTONE RD ONLY Roger Keef and myself had alot to say about that some time ago?
Cllr Vic Matcham
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
victor
i have asked that question of my betters many times on here.
always a deafening silence.
does this money exist?
how much is left of it?
when can the hard pressed families of the priory area expect to get back a play area.?
not a lot to ask, is it?
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
All can tell you is Yes the funding of £200,000+is there and we could have had it along time ago.We was told we could have the full amount if and this is true if we agree to other closure of play areas in Dover we could have one in or near Folkstone Rd Roger is still a cllr in your area and Keef is still about aske them ,if what I am saying is true or not.
As you know I did not get voted back in up there.
So it is down to your local Cllrs to look into it again sorry I can not help anymore in this matter but I will keep to what I have said if that is any help at some time.
I remain yours faithfully Cllr Vic Matcham.
