Europe recognises Port's commitment to community through heritage

For the second consecutive year, the Port of Dover has been shortlisted for the European Sea Ports Organisation's (ESPO) Societal Integration of Ports award. It is also the second year in a row that Dover has been the only UK port to make it through to the shortlist of five European ports.

Each year the award has a theme and last year it recognised contributions to working with young people in the community, the Port of Dover being shortlisted for its Youth Engagement Scheme (YES), which has increased this year through its Port apprenticeships programme. The 2013 award focuses on 'heritage' and specifically on the contemporary use and access to port heritage assets.

The Port of Dover's 'Making Port Heritage Work' project is all about making the Port's historic assets and heritage work for a number of local audiences, operationally and culturally, and bringing the community closer to the Port in different ways.

Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, explained: "The project looks to bring these strands together and to make them work as one coherent heritage offer that unites the Port and town and their common histories as a way of nurturing current and future integration. It also balances the need to preserve the Port's heritage assets whilst at the same time enabling them to play a role in the modern day-to-day life of the Port."

ESPO, representing port authorities, administrations and associations from across Europe, announced that Dover had been shortlisted this week for the award. John Richardson, Chairman of the panel, said: "Many European ports value and cultivate their heritage. Our job was to choose the most exciting projects among a very varied selection of them. Several stood out as particularly creative and visionary."

Mr Waggott added: "In a week that has seen the Port working with archaeologists to successfully float a replica of Dover's famous 3,500 year old Bronze Age boat in Dover harbour, such recognition is a great boost to the Port and should also be seen as a fantastic motivator to the positive discussions that are now getting underway between the Port and the local community on its heritage priorities as part of our new Port and Community Forum."

The winner of the award will be announced on 6th November during a special ceremony at Brussels Town Hall.