Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 5204

  Mike Waight, Devizes

I've just discovered the Dover Forum and what an excellent site it is. The photos of the Western Docks brought home very happy memories of my childhood and young adult times in Dover before I went off to sea in the Merchant Navy. We lived all over the town – Duke of Yorks when it was entirely Army, Old Park when it was Army, Western Heights when it was Army and finally The Gateway flats. On my father's side the family goes back a long way in Dover and they worked in the Docks mostly, so it's nice to find a great site like this to peruse. Well done.

Wednesday, 7 March 2018 - 17:13

 

Post 5203

  Ted Ingham, Canterbury

Whilst the DWDR is proceeding at a great pace.Here's a piece of nostalgia from the 60's.



Wednesday, 7 March 2018 - 13:16

 

Post 5202

  Sea News, Dover

Above and below we have recent pictures showing the Seasports Centre/Hythe Bay Restaurant under menace from some roughish weather. The seas were only moderately rough but as you can see the aforementioned building looks in danger of some flooding. Some defences were recently put in place but had the weather been 'very' rough ...well... The icy east winds were blowing the seas into that corner of the harbour.

Below a pic from the files showing the stark beauty of the cold sea...


And now a shot of general cargo ship the Lady Ariane arriving here in Port yesterday morning around 11.15am...no doubt with more supplies for the Port development. It was an altogether much milder/calmer day and very welcome it was too.


Wednesday, 7 March 2018 - 05:05

 

Post 5201

  Sea News, Dover

The Maritime Skills Academy having a bracing time of it in the bitter conditions of a few days ago. That was a nasty oul wind and no mistake... you can feel the chill factor....


Dover is brilliant and has an even brighter future .. says Charlie Elphicke MP



Dover is on the up. Unfortunately a few dim-witted keyboard warriors are determined to talk our town down. An online list last week ranked Dover as the 10th worst town in the UK. Yet what do these internet trolls know?

Because the truth is that our town is on the up. The long shadow cast by Burlington House has gone. That hated building was torn down following a long campaign. A new cinema and shops are rising in its place. We have seen more than £400 million invested in recent years.

Everyone knows we’ve been battling for the St James development for a long time. It’s not been easy. Just last week problems arose over getting the scheme connected to electricity. So I held crunch talks with the power suppliers and the council – and I’m pleased the switch-on date was rapidly moved forwards. The sooner the St James scheme opens, with hundreds of people starting new jobs and thousands more visitors attracted to our town, the better.

House prices are on the up too. The latest figures show that they are rising at 11.8% in Dover, nearly double the Kent average of 6.5%. We’re working hard to match the demand by delivering more affordable, family homes at places like Connaught Barracks. Of course we have to battle the grumblers who try to stop all building and seek to hold our area back.

More and more people want to move here. And why wouldn’t they? There’s our world-famous history – our castle, iconic White Cliffs and Roman Painted House. Then there’s our transport links. You can get to London in an hour on the fast train, or just as easily jump on a ferry to France.

In town we have some great independent shops and cafes. We are also overflowing with brilliant micropubs, from the Mash Tun in Bench Street to the Breakwater Brewery in Lorne Road – where I enjoyed a delicious pint of ale last week. With St James opening within weeks, we need to do all we can to support these businesses. That’s why I’m fully backing Dover District Council’s plans to invest hundreds of thousands of pounds in the "old town".

Along our stunning seafront, the port have an ambitious vision for a brand new marina with shops and bars. This will be great for Dovorians and draw in yet more visitors.

There is still a long way to go and a lot of work to do. One of the challenges ahead is to find a way of linking the old town, St James and the seafront. Yet if we put our minds to it, I know it can be done.

No-one thought Burlington House would ever come down. The doubters were proved wrong then – we can prove them wrong again.

ENDS


Interesting item from Charlie above there. Many thanks Charlie.
Ah yes indeed yours truly regularly pops in to the Mash Tun. A good Micropub for sure.


Well done all round lads with the pix below.
Nice pictures Ed of the Atlantic Klipper. Noted the new Geest logo on the funnel there. Great atmospheric pic in the fog.

Nice collection all round again Mike. Well done with those. Great to have the latest shots there as everything is moving along fast.

Ted you got it perfect first time there. Well done with that. Very clear picture showing how it all looked in 2010.

PaulB



Tuesday, 6 March 2018 - 06:40

 

Post 5200

  Ed Connell, Dover Strait

A couple more of Atlantic Klipper at the DCT today, after the mist had cleared.



Monday, 5 March 2018 - 22:50

 

Post 5199

  Mike J., Dover

Quite a contrast from Ted's 2010 photo -
Most of the smaller buildings in the centre of the photo have gone as has much of the concrete plant & no longer do we get dredgers discharging into & onto the remains of the first train ferry dock.
The cement & sand & gravel needed now come in by road.

Monday afternoon from St.Martins Battery & the DWDR job continues - never twice the same scene.



The tug WILLPOWER returned to Dover mid-afternoon from the Solent, berthing in the Jetfoil terminal which was packed with DWDR barges & tugs.
One of the barges had a crane aboard with the jib lashed down may be the ‘customer’ for the WILLPOWER.

A temporary bridge crosses the site of the ‘Wellington Cut’

It is thought that the BARENT ZANEN will return to Dover this week.
Currently she remains in Rotterdam





Monday, 5 March 2018 - 21:49

 

Post 5198

  Ted Ingham, Canterbury

Just a test to check my format is correct as this is my first posting with a photograph.
Photographed on the 4th August 2010. Cheers, Ted


Monday, 5 March 2018 - 14:58

 

Post 5197

  Ed Connell, Dover Strait

Atlantic Klipper at the DCT today in the mist.


Monday, 5 March 2018 - 11:49

 

Post 5196

  Sea News, Dover

Port of Dover:
VSBW, a joint venture between VolkerStevin and Boskalis Westminster, who are delivering the first stage of the marine infrastructure for the Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) development, has calculated that the East Kent supply chain has benefited from just over £103 million worth of benefit through employment, staff accommodation and contracting services and goods from local businesses.

Tim Waggott, Chief Executive of the Port of Dover, said: "Dover Western Docks Revival is already benefiting our economy, even before it is open – providing business for local contractors, creating new jobs and developing the skills of our workforce.

"Once completed its impact will be even greater, as this flagship development will provide a catalyst for regeneration in Dover, supporting the jobs and livelihoods of local people."

Since work started on DWDR at the beginning of 2017, of the 251 people who have worked on the site - 43% live within East Kent and 32% within the immediate Folkestone – Dover – Deal – Sandwich area. Women account for 12.3% of VSBW’s Dover workforce – above the industry average of 9%.

With a dedicated Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) ambassador working with a number of local primary and secondary schools, and attendance at job fairs for young local jobseekers, VSBW continue to add value to the Port’s engagement with young people.

Five apprentices are working on the development and VSBW have spent over 1,937 hours volunteering in the local community and invested £29,387 into community initiatives as part of the Port’s wider corporate social responsibility agenda.

Rob Coupe, Managing Director at VolkerStevin, said: "Since we were first appointed, we have been committed to ensuring our work helps the Port provide an even greater boost to East Kent; be it through creating jobs, providing contracts to local firms or demonstrating to young people what the construction industry has to offer as a career.

"As we move towards completing the first stage of DWDR in early 2019, I’m confident the contribution of our work on this development will be felt as a legacy in the local community for years to come."



ENDS

Many thanks to the team at the Port for the news and pictures above.

* *

Just following along Del from yesterday's post...
we have a poor picture below but it shows the different gulls. I found this extra picture and top right you can see our ermmm 'standard' gull ( a young one ) and of course our visitors alongside.
Just the one solitary local gull sat in their midst.....
and here he is...




PaulB.



Monday, 5 March 2018 - 06:55

 

Post 5195

  Del Styan, Norwich

Those gulls look glad to be on "dry" land. I wonder which type they are? Could they be a common type. but all fluffed up to keep warm?
Up here in Norfolk, the snow is a thawing, and life is returning to a normal, if slightly wet, pace.

Sunday, 4 March 2018 - 23:15

 

Post 5194

  Sea News, Dover

In the Bleak Midwinter - except its supposed to be spring ?
Yours trulys observation tower is in the teeth of the fierce wind from the east above there. The time of the picture was 5.55pm at night, when on paper it was supposed to be fairly dark, yet somehow Dover Harbour had a strange late lingering light...and there we are. Its a cold oul picture...but they tell us we are thawing.

In the bottom of the picture above you can just see loads of gulls on the beach. They are a different type of gull...blown in on the Siberian wind perhaps. I tried a few pictures of the gulls earlier on...not very good all round, but this reasonable one below will at least show those different gulls as mentioned. Not sure at all what type of gull or where from etc etc


Thanks for that info below Mike. Will be good to see our ol friend MoragM again.

PaulB

Sunday, 4 March 2018 - 07:31

 

Post 5193

  Mike J., Dover

Just noticed that on AIS that MORAG M has returned to Dover & at midnight was lurking in the Jetfoil terminal.
She came down from Ramsgate, arriving Dover early Saturday afternoon.

Sunday, 4 March 2018 - 00:19

 

Post 5192

  Sea News, Dover

Some more pictures of the snow on Dover Seafront ...
This time looking east towards the ferries . Ooh its cold out there brrrr..
This AA man stopped briefly to get the snow off his windows and maybe have a cup of tea. He was off again in minutes . I imagine it was hectic for him.
A few people ventured out...but not many....
Freezing rain early on in the day Friday struck the east windows on the observation tower and instantly turned everything on the east side into bubble frosted glass. An instant happening. Yours truly couldn't see anything looking east... yikes... it stayed that way for hours, most of the day in fact, have never seen that before.
The freezing rain turned to snow again later and so we have the pictures above.


Roll on spring... the sooner the better...
Me timbers have had enough shiverin'

PaulB

Saturday, 3 March 2018 - 07:03

 

Post 5191

  Sea News, Dover

More Snow on Dover Seafront.

The ' Beast from the East' roars on..
The general scene a few minutes ago on Dover Seafront (4.20PM).

Friday, 2 March 2018 - 16:22

 

Post 5190

  Sea News, Dover

Port's Water Safety Boost
____________________________


Lifesaving charity recognises Port of Dover's support for swimmers

The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) has praised the Port of Dover for backing its crucial community safety work.

The UK’s leading drowning prevention charity has conferred the status of ‘Friend of the Society’ on the Port in recognition of its years of ‘valuable service’ to the RLSS.

The Port has been a long-standing supporter of the Society’s Kent Branch - having backed a major cross-Channel swim by six of its former presidents, incorporated RLSS best practice into its Leisure Zone Management Policy for recreational water users, and provided a regular safety awareness stand for the charity at the Port of Dover Community Regatta.

Port Chief Executive, Tim Waggott, said: "Safety is at the heart of everything we do at the Port of Dover, so we’re particularly honoured to receive this recognition from the Royal Life Saving Society."

Former RLSS Kent Branch presidents Kathy Batts, Lorraine Mackie, Tina Smith, Debbie Hunt, Dain Lewis and Cheryl Payne cite the Port as playing a supportive role in their preparation for the cross-Channel relay swim.

The six, known as the Dover Divas, trained for two years in Dover Harbour, had free access to Port facilities and were offered use of one of the Harbour Patrol Launches to support their marathon.

They completed the challenge in just under 18 hours, swimming in one hour shifts and covering – while being shunted by the tide – a total of 52 miles.

The relay netted more than £5,000 in sponsorship which was invested in RLSS community outreach campaigns throughout the county including Save a Baby’s Life and Life Support classes.

The Port has also written RLSS safety advice for swimmers into its Marine Operations Manual, aimed specifically at those bathing in Dover Harbour’s leisure zone.

Serving RLSS Kent Branch President, Fran Payne, said: "The Port has been an important partner in our ongoing work to promote safety in and around water. We’re very grateful for the support it has given us and are pleased to present it with this national honour in recognition of all it has done."

ENDS




Friday, 2 March 2018 - 06:35

 

Post 5189

  Sea News, Dover

China Shipping Line... The Globe




I pushed these pictures to the limit, its as large as we can go because this ship is something of a celebrity and there she was a couple of days ago right outside the Port of Dover. I say celebrity because for a while she was the largest container ship in the world...yes its the China Shipping Line's GLOBE...weighing in at just below 190,000 tons. A magnificent ship for sure...and photographed above there in between the raging snow flurries. You can see the snow in the sky to an extent in the pictures. Also type GLOBE in our Search Engine and you will see some more info/pix from the posts in the past. She is currently in Felixstowe.

From the BBC

"
But the record-breaking aspect of the Globe, owned by Shanghai-based China Shipping Container Lines and built in South Korea, is its capacity. It can carry 19,100 standard 20ft containers. That's estimated to be enough space for 156 million pairs of shoes, 300 million tablet computers or 900 million standard tins of baked beans.

Laid end-to-end, the maximum number of containers on board would stretch for 72 miles, the distance between Felixstowe and London, or Birmingham and Manchester.

The ship is longer than FOUR football pitches.

"
That's a lot of baked beans.

Well done Ed. Good to get that clear shot of the Atlantic Reefer below. Excellent PaulB.

Thursday, 1 March 2018 - 07:03

 

Post 5188

  Ed Connell, Dover Strait

Following on from Paul's photo below, another picture of the Atlantic Reefer at the DCT this afternoon.


Wednesday, 28 February 2018 - 22:04

 

Post 5187

  Sea News, Dover

The Atlantic Reefer, which has been in with us for a day or so, left this evening about 6.15PM in cold dark conditions.
I managed to boost the picture up a wee bit so we can see.
She came in to take up the slot at the Dover Cargo Terminal immediately after the Baltic Klipper left us.
She was heading to Hamburg this evening... and looks rather devoid of containers below there.


Will have those pictures of The Globe container ship in the morning. PB.



Wednesday, 28 February 2018 - 19:28

 

Post 5186

  Sea News, Dover

Many thanks for that info Matt. Good to hear that those campervanners weren't too cold after all.. Still very chilly everywhere generally. When will it all end....

PaulB

Wednesday, 28 February 2018 - 15:42

 

Post 5185

  Matt, UK (Mrwexpress@hotmail.co.uk)

I refer to post 4674 about the lone campervan parked on marine parade with you saying that must be shivery, campervans motorhomes and caravans are fitted with modern heating facilities. The most popular being the ALDE system where a type of antifreeze is pumped around the van which is similar to domestic heating, this can be powered by gas or plugged in electric.

So no need to shiver throughout the night!!

Wednesday, 28 February 2018 - 14:58