Margate Caves under threat

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

For anybody who has not seen it on the Facebook group, the Thanet Extra wish to do a story on this, and want as many people as possible to attend the Caves for a group photograph at 10 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday 29th January).

Obviously for many people this will not be practical, but for anybody who is able to get along, it would be good to see you there!

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

A few pics I took myself, I believe we are meeting again on Monday for another photocall.

[erclairedoc]

Great photos Vince. It was so cold this morning but the turnout was impressive. The Thanet Gazette would like supporters to meet at the Caves on Monday at 1.30pm for a photo for next weeks article.

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

I will be there, meanwhile I have sent the Thanet Times this photo in high-definition with the enclosed statement.

CONCERNED local residents met at Margate Caves on Saturday following a mid-week meeting at the Shell Grotto in opposition to Thanet District Council's plans to permanently close the popular local attraction and build houses on the site.

Archaeologist Rod LeGear told the packed meeting that the Council's reasons for closing the caves- on the grounds of health and safety- were spurious at best, and that the "poison gas" alleged to be present had never been discovered in a chalk cave. Scorn was also poured upon the idea that the minor remedial works required would cost £100,000, as the Council claim.

Shell Grotto owner Sarah Vickery stressed the importance of retaining the caves as a tourist attraction and the new group intends to fight Thanet District Council's planning application with a view to having the caves re-opened as a privately owned attraction.

I made it clear that I was speaking as a concerned local resident rather than an official spokesperson for the group but in the absence of anything better they are welcome to print it.

[Scotchie]

CONCERNED local residents met at Margate Caves on Saturday following a mid-week meeting at the Shell Grotto in opposition to Thanet District Council's plans to permanently close the popular local attraction and build houses on the site.

Archaeologist Rod LeGear told the packed meeting that the Council's reasons for closing the caves- on the grounds of health and safety- were spurious at best, and that the "poison gas" alleged to be present had never been discovered in a chalk cave. Scorn was also poured upon the idea that the minor remedial works required would cost £100,000, as the Council claim.

Shell Grotto owner Sarah Vickery stressed the importance of retaining the caves as a tourist attraction and the new group intends to fight Thanet District Council's planning application with a view to having the caves re-opened as a privately owned attraction.

I made it clear that I was speaking as a concerned local resident rather than an official spokesperson for the group but in the absence of anything better they are welcome to print it.

Had hoped to make the meeting myself, but working in Ashford it was too awkward to get too.

Rod has been exploring these sort of features for many many years and I have been for nearly 20 now. Hopefully the Kent Underground Research Group will get permission to assess the caves....

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

You guys continue to make me proud. Do NOT let the council tell lies to get what they want.
Take the council to task and make them DO THEIR JOB, which is to DO WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT, NOT WHAT THEY WANT.

Do like I did. Tell the council members immediately you're going to find out just who on the council will benefit from the closure and redevelopment, and make it your life's mission to make sure that person never holds a public office again.

They fight dirty by telling lies and making secret decisions. You'll fight clean by exposing them, but you have to let them know that's what you intend to do. Otherwise, they continue to move forward and the only way you know is when the bulldozers and heavy equipment show up.

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

Just a quick update, we met for another photoshoot a short while ago and if anything it was even more well attended than Saturday's meet.... the article should be appearing in the Thanet Gazette which is published on Friday.

[1234567890]

keep up the good work

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

Someone needs to attend the council meetings and find out what's going on.

[erclairedoc]

Already catered for Jim. The Friends group is now formed and we are working hard to protect the Caves.

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

Just a quick query- is it possible to link directly to this thread?

As with all threads, http://savedreamland.co.uk/ appears in the toolbar, rather than a specific address about this subject.

[porf]

Vince

Roll over the title of the thread right at the top of a page and you should get a link like this that you can use :

http://www.joylandbooks.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2138&start=45&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

Or

To avoid starting half way through a thread do similar on the title on the main SaveDreamland forum page and you'll get something like this :
http://www.joylandbooks.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2138

To copy the URL right click on the relevant link and you should see "Copy Shortcut" or "Copy Link Location" depending on what browser you're using.

Paul

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

Today's Thanet Extra...





Read online at http://www.thanetepaper.co.uk/LandingPage.aspx

[porterm]

Hi all

Just to let you know, Meridian Tonight News (ITV1) should be down this Friday to feature an on-air story. (I e-mailed them earlier today and had a telephone call back from a nice lady shortly after).

Watch this space as they say.

Martin

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

Ooh, I had a fascinating phone call from a reporter yesterday and I am itching to tell you all about it but unfortunately I am sworn to secrecy