Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
I have just cut short my dog's walk to get back to post this.
I went via Pencester to check that the fencing and loos have not been disturbed by local yobs and are ready for collection by the hire companies later today.
These are OK so it seems that the local yobs have been much better behaved that those charged with keeping our Park clean.
In previous years we at Hellfire Corner have prided ourselves in leaving a park cleaner than we found it. All the rubbish piled up around the bins to be collected and we tend to hang around until the last exhibitor has left so we see SITA come and empty the bins and collect the rubbish.
This year they did not turn up before we left about 7pm and the seagulls were already staring to create a mess because no-one had arrived to collect the rubbish.
This morning the park looks like a battle has taken place, it probably has, between seagulls fighting over the rubbish. It is utterly disgusting, I have never seen anything so bad in my life.
I dont think a single rubbish bag is left untouched and contents scatter around the Park.
What on earth are SITSA doing? They should have been there yesterday and now they have a much bigger and harder job to do as a result.
I am appalled at this. People will think that we left the Park in that condition!
I am a former Chairman of what was then the Technical Services Committee, Parks and cleaning were part of my remit. I know about the problems of keeping these places clean and the costs of doing so. What we have now iis totally unacceptable, SITA should face a heavy fine and for me this would be enough to get theirr contract out to re-tendering.
The public in Dover deserve better. Sack SITA.
Nigel, or whoever is now in charge of these operation do not accept any excuses.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
BARRYW(Jacqui im agreeing again !!!!!)
Yep, SITA should have been there just after 7pm to collect rubbish, whenever iv been involved in events at pencester we have told council/Sita and they have been on site to clear away rubbish.
Its clear it would not be a mess today had they been there at 7pm.
On a slightly diffrent note the grounds (grass) did appear to have a number of holes filled with water, what caused that?
pencester used to be nice
nowt to do with your event barryw, just wondered
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
The Fair I think Keith and general lack of maintenance over time perhaps. Not good.
This is why the Council have an events committee to make sure all these angles are covered. What with this and a rather uncooperative attitude from Stagecoach I wonder why they bother with an events committee in the first place.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
bARRYW
Shame realy always found pencester nice, but noticed it seems to be getting less tender loving care.
Hope it improves
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Pencester Gardens aren't gardens any more; it's just an open space in the Town Centre where events can take place.
There used to be flowers etc in and around the area, but no more.
Even the Bandstand doesn't have live music, unless its conected to an event.
It certainly needs a lot of TLC and perhaps a rethink on what we want it to be.
Roger
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
Roger
wouldn't it be lovely to have OUR pencester gardens back?
Yep would be great to see bandstand used on a more regular basis.
more tender loving care of the grass, nice picnic area,
etc etc
Pencester always reminds me of some of the green spaces in London, where I used to live. But much much shabbier. It could be lovely (like many things in Dover) with a bit of attention. Attention doesn't have to cost megabucks, either, just a little and often, and a warden to police a few of the areas. It is a nice area, but could be much better. It always has the appearance of a place waiting for something to happen..........
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
BERN
Yes like many parts of Dover looking tiired.
But we must not give up hope, im a Dovorian and proud and love my town, and want to see it prosper and be one to be proud of.
Terry Nunn
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,302
I called in 7.45 this morning. About six SITA people were there, including two suited and tie'd office wallahs. By then most of the rubbish had been rebagged and the mechanical sweeper was doing the rounds.
Terry
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
That was quick as I was there only at 7am but one man and a truck at 6pm could have done the job.
Guest 648- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 258
Im sorry to hear all these comments re Pencester Gardens note Gardens .I was the only member on the Events Committee before Nigel joined me .We did not always agree as I believe the events allowed are to close to each other .The fair should be for one week only I know we cut down the operating times but it still is in the area for Two weeks and this happens twice a year .Barry I know the work you put in but the grass hardly recovers before we have more lorries etc on the grass .
The Gardens ceased to be when all the shrubs and rose bushes were removed .The play area is in the wrong place as is the Band stand.
I know the officers would love to spend more on flowers etc but with so many events it is a thankless task
Barry what is your problem with Stagecoach .I know the drivers have problems with all the parking allowed in Pencester .Pencester should be for buses only
I think Nigel is your man meanwhile I carry on with my tea cosies .,
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Sue - we had problems with busses closing off the entrance and an unwillingness by many drivers to be helpful in pulling forward, just a little to load/offload. With some it seemed as if they delighted in it, at one point I got very angry at their attitude and I spoke to the police (via PCSOs). We had military vehicles and performers driving past unable to see the entrance, going around the one-way system sometimes three or four times and having to be 'talked in' to find the entrance. I ended up a couple of times telling people to block the road and not worry as it was Stagecoaches fault. The managers there just seemed to pay lip service and clearly from their attitude did not care. It was if they owned the road and users of the Park are no more than a nuicance.
On the case of the fair and our event. I think you are right about the fair being there for too long at once. I take photos of the grass before and after our event and I am quite happy that being just two days (three including setting up) our vehicles dont cause any problems that are not rectified, naturally, within days. In fact most vehicles tend to be moved around and are not necessarily on exactly the same spot for both days.
We have only once had a tracked vehcile a few years ago and we managed quite well to reduce/minimise any impact with the use of canvas and boards. The others dont tend to be a problem.
These bus drivers - would they be the same ones who deliberately pull away before elderly people and those with mobility problems have taken their seats? The same ones who have in the past refused access to people with learning disabilities? A minority perhaps, but a disgraceful minority.
Guest 648- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 258
Sorry Bern cant agree with your last statenent .I use the buses all the time and I note they do wait for people to take their seats .What must be frustrating for them is the number of people who take so long to decide who should board first and the young girls who block the aisles with pushchairs because they cant be bothered to place them straight .Before you argue with my last comment Ihad a double pushchair at one time amd most of the time I had to walk into town .Even with my last child I had a pushchair which folded and i managed to fold it before the bus arrived .
These drivers work long hours .There are few toilets on route thanks to our council.
I'm with you with the pushchairs Sue - we have 4 children (now grown) close together in age and used double buggies for years, but always managed to fold them or move them, and NEVER poked them out into the street in front of traffic - that makes me boil when I see young mothers doing that. And the loos - public places need decent loos - it's a given. You use the buses more than me, so I am glad you witness better behaviour from the drivers. It is a minority who display poor manners, but sadly it is always that that is remembered by those who use puiblic transprot infrequently - perhaps if I used it more often I would see more of the good stuff!
Guest 648- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 258
Bern we cant be doing much work this morning .I really have to drag myself into action.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
SUE
ITS nice to hear the work you do but have to say lots of people do lots for Dover
lets keep up the good fight TOGETHER
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
bern
Have to agree with Sue on this one, most bus drivers are kind and caring and polite.
Sometimes people leave there seats to early and there are notices in all buses saying don't get out of seat till bus stopped.
getting on buses(as i use them nearly every day) I get frustrsated being in a Q
then people who have been there 20 mins whn the bus arrives fumble for there free pass!!!!
Yep on toilets, don't get caught out if you want to spend a penny !!
Iv found on buses bus drivers/public in the main gel well, you get the odd one, but thats the same in all walks of life.
Sue - another pot of fresh coffee and I'll be off!!! Have a good day! You too Keith!
Guest 686- Registered: 5 May 2009
- Posts: 556
In my opinion the state of our public parks and gardens began to go downhill when their upkeep was outsourced to the likes of SITA and the park attendants removed. All our parks had two or three groundsmen keeping the grass cut, hedges trimmed, flower beds tidy and restocked, paths swept, loos cleaned, rubbish cleared as well as providing a measure of security and a point of contact in the event of a problem.
These groundsmen had a certain amount of pride in the job they did, in all weathers, and it was a crying shame that permanent groundstaff for each site were disbanded. Once these jobs were outsourced the pride vanished with it. I think it is about time that DDC rethought its strategy of public park maintenance and reinstated the Parks Department.
Phil West
If at first you don't succeed, use a BIGGER hammer!!