Joyland Books

I was an extra at the filming of "Exodus" yesterday. There's a pile of photos from around the Dreamland site and a brief mention of what went on at my humble blog.
cheers,

http://artsandelbows.blogspot.com/2006/ ... -star.html

Great pics and words - with the Scenic Railway as star of course!

Interested too in the blog entry re Continental Market.

My local town (many miles from Margate) has one of those unelected unaccountable Partnerships too, which come up with what they know is good for us and try to impose that on us all in the name of regeneration. Well, they reckon we are a 'deprived' area (based on some very dubious statistics) therefore cannot know for ourselves what is required. Mostly it's so they can get funding to keep their jobs, along with making certain so-called 'Leaders of the Community' (which includes also local councillors) feel important by serving as Trustees etc.

They tried a similar thing - the traditional very small town centre market was to become, once a month, a Farmer's Market. Great - close off the roads, set up stalls selling - well, much the same as the adjacent shops sell really, only without the overheads. Bread, meat, cakes, soaps, veg...

Of course, people on the way to work then can't stop outside the newsagents and buy a morning paper, so all that trade is lost too. Complaints from those losing trade are countered by claims that this is good for the town. Then the stallholders are upset that people are complaining that they are taking trade from the town.

Eventually, amidst much acrimony, the thing is stopped, although I gather there may be plans to revive it all again.

End of rant. However, it does serve as an example of how our supposed community leaders can apparently have no idea of the knock-on effect that short-sighted policies can have, when others can spot a mile off the problems.

And thus, having had a rant and in a roundabout way, comes the puzzlement of why the council thought allowing some 'other development' on the Dreamland site would have a positive effect... instead of simply raising the value of the site so developers can step in...

Glad you enjoyed it.
Interesting points, sounds so similar it's spooky.
I think the quango route is enjoyed by councils because it removes any public responsibility from them, and gives the decision making to both the quango and the few wealthier businessmen involved.
At one "traders" meeting held by Margate Town Partnership the TDC head of regeneration was present. He was asked a question by a retired county councillor and got the response "I'm not here to answer questions." the surprised ex-councillor pushed his point and the man flounced off. This poor response is indicative of regeneration here, well I did assume it was limited to here but from what you say it looks like it's quite fashionable.
As for Dreamland I think the folk of Thanet can thank their lucky stars for having the "Save Dreamland" campaigners, without them I imagine the whole site would already be a tasteless housing development. I think the council just wanted to comply with Godden's wishes like they have with the old Pleasurama site, and how Folkestone council have with the old Rotunda site. They're also rather keen to play down the tourism angle, and have been for years despite people still flocking here.

The listing of the Scenic Railway certainly has made it all very much more difficult for the site to be razed...

I love that blog.

Here's a video clip which may be of interest:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... source=uds

The bloody people are ghoulish. It's hysterical.