Ramsgate Winterstoke Gardens - An Improved View with LGBT Involvement

Shaman's view on supporting change in someone's outlook.

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My Email to Thanet District Council Chief Executive & Partners

From: sologays@hotmail.co.uk
To: sue.mcgonigal@thanet.gov.uk;

Beware The Ramsgate Vigilantes

I always thought the author of Promote Ramsgate blog was a decent ordinary sort of bloke, willing to consider all points of view, that sort of thing.  Then I read this statement:

"The work at the Winterstoke, which has already been started by volunteers , will also improve sight lines and take away the many dens currently being used as hidey holes by those committing Antisocial behavior".

"A Social Experiment" - from the "Bloke Called Dave" blog

I don't know where Mr James get's his information, but I suspect it is fear of anti-social behavior that haunts him and his followers more than anything?  It could be there has been a serious incident that has caused the "clear out" which Mr James is more than happy to shout about? If this proves to be the case, then perhaps he will kindly explain? 

Will Filming TDC Meetings make a Difference - To Everyday Folk?

Or will the Culture of Self Interest and Indifference just Win the Day?

When farmers (linked by their association formed in the 1960's) spoke against my mother's proposed single dwelling  in 2009 (her having been encouraged to submit an application by planning officers), they all lied basically, by claiming to represent residents of her road. One was in his capacity as Chairman of Manston Council, Cllr Goodban, and Cllr Neville, in his capacity as Chairman of neigboring Monkton Parish Council (albeit at later application and appeals, and is a near neighbour of then Planning Committee Chairman, Ken Gregory, living in the same road in Monkton). The third, being Arthur Burbridge, who resents sharing a track with my mother.

I cannot overstate the significance of the backing TDC legal monitoring officer, Harvey Patterson, gave to these farmers and the Councillors backing them. Mr Patterson brazenly presented false minutes at the appeal hearing in 2009. Some of the Councillors voting on this matter as Parish or District members, were also Standards Board members who relied upon Harvey Patterson for "advice".

WESTWOOD CROSS DEVELOPMENT - Link with Bradgate Caravan Park and the Young Farmers Association (not quite so young now!) + The Lost Farewell?

A Birthday Ode - "Ripples of War" - PDSA Family History Starting in Ramsgate

Swinging Sixties bursting forth

Famillies at risk of going under

A Great Grandmother to shoulder

Friendship cats and horticulture

Vetinary husband gassed in WW1

Amassed years to cope

Animals to suffer to in WW2

Appeasement was a vain hope

Margate Arlington Tesco In Your Face

The Feared Plan for Arlington House Tesco

I understand the hurt architects Nabb and Causer felt about sacrificing the integrity of a building they admire, which motivated them to produce their impression opposite. And at the Inquiry just two townsfolk turned up supporting redesign for shopping. Being unconcerned to hear the Arlington residents position they then left. Over on Simon Moores' blog someone has at last asked the question I was  most interested in:

A Home for Wrecks

This post by All at Sea is about the Historic WW2 Dunkirk Evacuation boat Sundowner. The writer implies it is a wasted asset because it takes up prime parking space at Ramsgate Harbour. This kind of links in with my suggestion for a community bid for the Marina car park, which could make an ideal visitor attraction of maritime relics placed among an expanded Sea Garden?

Reclaiming the Public Realm

4 Police cars with 8 officers were dispatched last night to look for a man who was seen making a possible suicide bid. We worked out that it was me leaning over the cliff in a shabby coat looking for a fox which caused a dog walking couple to make a call. It got me thinking about the cumulative negative effect of acts of authority, eg. vans parked on the promenade, overbearing halogen lamps, OTT Police presence, too many signs, ripped out shelter partions etc etc.  I hope Orchard Toys won't mind the use of their puzzle? How much more amusing I thought, if we had a  helicopter and an officer on horseback to complete the ensemble?

Simon Thomas's Hole

TDC Planning Manager Simon Thomas has allowed this overlooking my back garden. I wonder what kind of opening is going there? And who will get to see me shower in the morning I wonder? Designs have been submitted and changed several times, but I have found out there was a variation which was approved without consultation. A technical assistant sent over two links to show details of two options (nothing showing) so we can decide for ourselves which of them is being implemented by the builder?

A Ramsgate Community Plan - Pink Funerals - and a Business Plan (Please)

I must admit readers,  the relatively strong interest in discussing the concept of making King Street a Gay Village did rather take me by surprise.  And it could well help breathe life into the shabby old ghostly trading area. And then I thought of the initiative shown by a young funeral director, turning up as he did to highlight the problem of too many Funeral Parlours in the Town.  Maybe he should consider new markets?

A Trendsetting GAY TOURISM SURVEY

I was feeling quite sad last night readers, sitting alone in the Winterstoke Memorial with the wind and rain beating down, with the drips from the leaking roof catching the back of my neck as if someone had just walked over my grave. And of course the rays from those halogen lamps penetrating my sight in place of a once glorious night time view of the sea and moon.