Dungeness 'Talent' - Snoo Wilson

Snoo Wilson, writer extraordinaire, noted internationally for his plays and script writing (google him for more), lives and creates locally.   He currently has a play running in the old 'Rose Theatre' on the banks of the Thames.  Entitled 'More Light' it is impossible to provide a synopsis but is described as 'a satirical take on the works of Shakespeare'.
My first visit to 'The Rose' or rather what is left of it (built in 1586 and opened in 1587).   Forerunner of the more famous Globe Theatre, also on the banks of the Thames, 'The Rose' does provide an inspirational backdrop to the small and very personal stage - with actors only a few feet in front of the audience.   'More Light'- brilliantly performed by a cast who quite clearly enjoy the flow and rhythm of the 'old way of speaking English' - well worth a visit.
   For more information on 'The Rose' theatre visit www.rosetheatre.org.uk.

Snoo was also the script writer of the recent film, entitled 'Eichmann', filmed in Budapest and Malta in which local girl Tilly O'Neil appeared.

Snow again and Kevin Brown

For the second year running snow at Dungeness.   Definitely must be due to global warming!   Picture is of the gathering clouds on the French coast - just 20 miles away

And Kevin Brown?   One of the UK's foremost and  proficient blues slide guitarists - who just happens to love the desolation, peace, quiet and uniqueness of Dungeness.   In between gigs on Friday night and this afternoon in Rye, Kevin came down for a few hours with Mike Prince - a driving force in keeping the blues alive here in the south east.

Paris

There has always been negative publicity with regards to the suburbs of London being shabby and a disgrace and the first thing travellers (by train particularly) see when they approach the Capital.

Went to Paris by train last Saturday and was taken aback at the degradation one sees on the approach to Guard de Nord - far worse than the approach into south London stations.   And the streets - unclean, tons of leaves from the autumn fallout - in summary - made London quite respectable.   Nothing to with Dungeness I know - just proving the point I can travel unattended the 20 miles to Ashford International rail station!

Willie Richardson

As a confirmation of the respect and popularity of William, the church at Lydd was packed - standing room only.   RIP

William (Willie) Richardson

Flags are at half mast following the sad passing of William (Willie) Richardson, after a long term fight with cancer.   Only 64 he was still active in his business and related council matters until last week.   He will be missed by all who knew him.
Born and bred in Dungeness, William  not only ran a successful fishing and retail business, he was a local and Kent County councillor but probably best remembered for the sterling work with the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) being attributed with the saving of over 200 lives during his 40 years with the lifeboat service.

It has been a pleasure to know him.   He was always at the end of a telephone if needed and was one of those people who would help anyone out if he could.

There are many tributes in the local newspapers and indeed one on the Lifeboat website - see links for further information on this well liked, well respected family man and ,in the true sense of the word, gentleman.

William's funeral is next Wednesday, 17th November and the family has requested 'no flowers'.   Any donations made will go to the Dungeness (Lifeboat) Crew Fund to purchase a memorial standard in his honour to be located at the Dungeness Lifeboat Station.

The Looker

No not a sexist female comment but the name of a new local weekly community newspaper for the Romney Marsh.

Now out - the third edition.   Full of good local news (which can be viewed on line - http://www.thelooker.co.uk/).
This is a really well produced locally created newspaper that is offered free at numerous retail outlets on the Marsh.   However I feel that, as a weekly publication, it could  become a strain on the dedicated team who have put it all together.   I can forsee this becoming a full time occupation and, once committed, there is no going back.   I sincerely hope the magazine continues to be a  success and congratulations to the team behind the venture.

World Wide Veiwings

Over the past two weeks over 650 page views with 412 from UK followed by 57 from the US and surprisingly 28 Brazil, 15 Japan, 14 Germany, 14 Luxembourg, 13 Canada, 13 Spain and 12 from Vietnam.   Nothing from the USSR - must have upset them with last comment.

Back At Last

Back at last - been away for a bit - I did protest my innocence but it didn't wash!

It was saddening to hear that Brenda, a stalwart of the residents committee had passed away suddenly- and belated condolences to all her family.   Albert, an active campaigner for a local political party despite being less able bodied than most has sold and moved on to a new locale.   It is a sad fact that as one gets older it becomes more difficult to get around and there being no shops to waddle to it does make sense to move to somewhere with more facilities - that said we do have a ninety odd year old lady still here.   And this week Eric has finally moved, again to a more practically situated abode.   All the best to both.   All this movement has seen an unprecedented increase of 'shacks for sale' and prices seem to have stabilised since the last one went at £220,000.00.

The Smokery commented on in a previous blog is near completion - to a very high standard.  This would seem to have annoyed some moronic scroat or scroats who, the night before last, decided to deface the front with six foot high yellow paint.   I suppose trying not to be outdone by the recently reported theft of the 'Banksie' graffiti from the side of a container**.  Another act of mindless vandalism!    The yellow paint wasn't from normal spray cans, being too large a spread, so it looks as though the responsible assh...es obtained the commercially available road marking paint to do their deed.  Despite ongoing reaction to the building from a few locals it is hard to conceive any were responsible but at same time it is unlikely that the opportunist drunken reveller, if that were they, would just happen to have a large can of spray paint upon their person.   So a deliberate act.......................?


                                      PHOTOS HAVE BEEN REMOVED

**(For those overseas visitors to the site who may not know of such things 'Banksie' is a pseudonym for an unknown graffiti artist of some talent.   He was reported to have visited Dungeness recently and painted the side of a storage container in his inimitable style.   He is highly collectable nowadays and although most of his work appears on public buildings, walls, pavements etc. this latest effort was open to theft.   The miscreants simply hacked the side of the container off and carted it away.   Odd all these goings on what with all the police activity in the area.   Mind you with all the government cuts in police expenditure I suppose the armed patrols will now be weekly and with two on a tandem!

All this on top of a recent attempted theft of a fishing boat propeller by some pikeys (sorry misunderstood, under privileged travelling persons) caught in the act with all the heavy lifting gear needed.   Not charged as word has it they were duffed up a little by Batman and Robin, who just happened to be passing.

ON A BRIGHTER NOTE, and widely reported in the press and tv news (television not transvestite) one

 Sir Richard Branson got in a pickle when he graced the area with his presence. 

  Richard had come to Dungie  to attempt a record breaking mass crossing of the Channel on surf
boards, dragged along by a large sails.   The first day the winds were high and the waves and swell made
 it impossible to complete the crossing.     The sad thing is the  endeavour was called off because the safety boats couldn't cope with the rough seas.   Richard and son actually travelled 11 miles out into the Channel before turning back - which, as he pointed out, the total time 'sailing' was sufficient to have got him to France.   The following day the weather was too mild with insufficient wind to get the team more than a few hundred yards out.   And what a lovely bloke with it.   His family were there including his wheelchair bound father.   A real pleasure to see him as a decent human being, finding time to talk to locals (including me - 'get out of the b......y way) and not acting in the way we see so many 'celebrities' doing.   Better luck next time - which we understand will be in a few months time.

Looks like tent city but in fact some of the many sails lined up on a becalmed second morning in readiness for the next crossing attempt!

And , not a lot to do with Dungeness but an 'advert' for Ulysses - a motorcycle club for the older generation.   Motto -  'Grow old disgracefully'.   A worldwide club started in Australia.   See the links for their web site.   Only mentioned this as, after nearly forty years out of the saddle have manged to get my leg across a 900 Triumph Trophy.   Old but in good nick - and the bike.

Out on dvd and currently showing on 'True Movie' channels the film 'Eichmann'   Based on the interrogation (from transcripts) of Eichmann following his 'removal' from South America to Israel.   Film script by Snoo Wilson, an owner and resident of Dungeness and starring the great German actor Thomas Kretschmann with Franke Potente, Troy Garrity, Stephen Fry and the then 8 year old Tilly from Dungeness!

Tilly also appeared in the 2008 Edinburgh Festival award winning 'Best Short Film' - 'The Other Man' with Anna Maxwell-Martin and Neil Barry.   Filmed on 'The Marsh' and beach at Dungie.

Tilly with Anna on the beach

Web Site viewings

The past calendar month recorded 1073 visits to this site with 85% coming from search engines, 8% direct and the remaining 7% being referrals from other sites.   The biggest fans, apart from those in the UK are from the US and Canada.   Still have someone in Moscow looking at us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another award for Dungeness property

'El Ray', formally just a 'railway carriage shack' has been transformed into an award winning building.   The Kent Designs Award  follows on from last years award from RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) for properties in the under £1million category.

The interior still contains the original railway carriage but externally things are a lot different.   Its rounded curves are clad in vertical  panelled wood and viewed from the air it resembles a wine glass.   Obviously there has been criticism over its design but then there always are the die hard critics/moaners who do not want change.   Dungeness is unique, in part due to the diverse properties that are around.   At least these new designs, constructed to current building regulations and with the best possible materials, will be around long after the original ramshackle shacks have fallen down and of course will continue providing Dungeness with its uniqueness.

Degenerating Dungeness Road

Every three years or so we have to shout to get the road repaired.   It should be the duty of the trustees of the Estate to ensure the road is maintained in a safe good order.   Although a private estate it is open to the public but the local council do not want to know - even though they actively promote the area for tourism.

A suggestion is to start charging for the road's upkeep - AFTER it has been completely renovated -  with all house owners contributing, say £20 per year and local businesses, say £150.00.   Income, for the trustees, is obtained from film companies and a sum from that should be added to the 'road fund' -  together with an equal amount from the local council!

Dungeness Address

Dungeness is an estate so why do we need Dungeness Road as part of the official address.   Surely Dungeness TN29 9ND would suffice.   How do we go about having it changed?

Dungeness 'Official Website'

Have I mentioned it?   Dungeness residents association are looking into the funding of their own website.   I did offer this one (for nothing) but did not even have the courtesy of a response.   This site is already number one on Google - a further seventeen hundred hits in last month with 275 viewers to the blog and literally from all over the world - including a further four from Moscow (just thought maybe our power stations are a target)- So why not make this site more up to date by spending a few hundred pounds?   What is also worrying is the comment 'looking to ways of funding.....'.   There was in excess of £3000.00 in the kitty implying a new site would cost in excess of that?   Wonder who wants to create the new site!   Perhaps an owner 'who knows about these things'

KEEP DUNGENESS UNIQUE - SAY NO TO A TWEE VILLAGE

The recent Dungeness Residents Association were vociferous in their condemnation of Shepway Councils latest 'giving in' to outside developers - relating to what was claimed as an historic building - namely 'The Smokery'.   Me thinks sour grapes born out of the fact that they were not made aware of the seemingly 'underhand'  sale of  the local church/buffalo lodge.   Which to my mind must be considered a more worthy challenger as an 'historic building'.   'All these bleeding outsiders coming in and buying up properties - it just aint right'   Of course the majority of the sour grape brigade are themselves outsiders too!
Had any of the baying residents taken the trouble to visit the property before or even during demolition they would have noted the virtual natural degradation of the wooden structure which was quite clearly not suitable for re-development.   The same critics also lamented on the inappropriate new designs being permitted by SDC.   Again, had the complainers taken the trouble to look at the plans submitted and other architects drawings it would have shown a very sympathetic replacement set of buildings with the main body of the house very similar to the property it was replacing.   This can now clearly be seen as the structure is well on its way to completion.   It is also interesting to note one of the objectors is also the owner of a past 'controversial' development known locally as the 'Rubber House'.   When proposed there was an outcry 'not in keeping with the area' etc etc.   It is also rumoured that the planning officer was moved sideways after agreeing to the  rubber skin (a true of Condominium) erection.  How true that was I don't know but sad if it were the case.   At least someone recognised the importance of keeping Dungeness different.

The whole point about Dungeness is that EVERYTHING IS DIFFERENT and that is in part what makes the area unique.   Years ago, when Dungeness was developed as a community we had railway carriages at one end and purpose built bungalows at the other.   How greater contrast can you have?   It is that contrast that has got to be preserved.  Not so long ago there was an SDC planner who wanted all rebuilds/newbuilds to be clad in wood and painted black!   My complaints to SDC at the time was that we did not want a twee little village of, in Pete Seegers words 'little boxes all made out of ticky tacky and all look the same'.   Someone must have listened as my neighbour was refused planning permission for a shack with shiplap painted black as it was 'not in keeping with the area'   I think planners have a lot to answer for but as with most local government officials there is little possibility for sensible discussion.   On top of all that the Residents committee have now set up a sub committee to see through a 'village community'.   And the electees are all NON permanent residents and, according to the newsletter with two of them being people 'who know about these things' .   Frightening - if I knew what it all meant.
Keep Dungeness different - welcome the continuance of diverse structures and do not try and stop evolution.
A backdrop of two nuclear power stations, two lighthouses, a railway station, railway carriages, air raid shelters, purpose build bungalows, watch towers, plastic clad buildings, wooden clad shacks - HOW CAN ANYTHING BE CONSIDERED 'NOT IN KEEPING' OR INDEED ' IN KEEPING' with the area with such a diverse array already here.
 

Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway

The RH&DR has a new updated site!   We haven't because I lack the funds to pay for it all!

Dungeness Web Site

A recent newsletter from the local Residents Association indicates the proposal of a Dungeness Website and to seek funds to create this new site.   What is wrong with this one?   I have offered the current site to them but offer ignored!!!!!!!!
The creation of a new site will be quite expensive whereas an updating and freshening up of this one will be just a few hundred pounds.
This is a privately run site paid for out of my own pocket BUT it is still in the top 2 of major search engines, attracts over 1200 hits per month (has been as high as 4000) - and from all over the world.   Why create another one??
If anyone out there would like to contribute to this site it can be made to look a little more modern with the addition of a photo gallery etc.

Lydd Airport

Quite unexpectedly local councillors approved, with a 2 to 1 majority, an expansion of the local airport.   Of course the minority who are against any expansion are up in arms threatening public  enquiries and  delaying any development for at least 2 years.    It would seem the councillors, who were not expected to back the proposals, actually listened to their electorate and voted on behalf of the majority of locals who are not against the expansion.   Democracy comes to the Romney Marsh!   Apart from those who wish to  preserve wild life at all costs (it is a great pity they cannot put their energies into preserving the human species) the most opposition seems to come from those who have moved to the area in the not so distant past and fully aware of the existence of an operational airport.   They now feel their lives will be blighted by all the noise and pollution!   They should have been here in the fifties and sixties when silver City Airline were flying up to 200 flights per day in their dirty loud Bristol Freighters.   New proposals will probably see 10 flights per day from a lot quieter cleaner modern jets.   (It was interesting to hear on a recent BBC Radio 4 programme that for every ton of cement produced a ton of pollutants are discharged into the atmosphere and  that the total out put of pollutants in the production of cement is greater than all that produced by all the aircraft currently flying today.   Lets hear it for finding an alternative to cement production!   -  No it wouldn't work - not glamorous enough is it?

Human beings must come first and if there is an individual or company willing to inject millions of pounds into the local economy they should be welcomed with open arms.   If there are concerns with the ecology they should be addressed and resolved but to try to stop a project because a little known slug, protected by the European Union could be endangered is beyond comprehension.   Makes one wonder what would have happend during the industrial revolution if there had been protesters of the same ilk as we have today.   

Dungeness - World Wide Popularity

In the first three weeks of February the Dungeness website has had over 1020 visits (with a further 300+ to the blogsite)

930 visitors were from within the UK with 23 from the US, 11 from the Netherlands with France 9, Germany 7, Denmark 6, Australia 5, Spain 4, Canada 3, RUSSIA 3 and others from Malta, India, Austria, Hong Kong, Finland, Ireland, Sweden, Turkey, Israel, Slovakia, Malaysia, Luxembourg.

Not bad for an area of such desolation!

Would love to hear from visitors - either thru the blog or email!

A third power station

The government decided there would not be a third power station at Dungeness - for no good reason other than the local fauna might be upset - oh and area is likely to be flooded in the not too distant future.    Cannot see that being allowed to happen as the two existing stations will have to be adequately protected for a period long after their sell by date.

Fortunately most of the local population in the area are for expansion as it will provide continued jobs and subsequent wealth to the area.   Human beings must come first!

It seems odd that the anti airport brigade don't object to the power station expansion!    If their belief is damage to the wildlife, ecology etc. then their argument should be applied to both.  However it is rumoured there are persons within the anti airport group who have a vested interest in getting a third nuclear power station built - so perhaps that is the main reason for opposing the runway expansion?

It was noted in the local paper last week that a new power station would destroy plant life unique to Dungeness.   It should be remembered that before the power station was built in the sixties there was no or very little vegetation.   Most of what we have today has benefited from the massive windbreak created by A and B Stations.   And most of what we have today is being destroyed by the unchecked growth of brambles.

Security

Recently there have been thefts and attempted thefts from local fishing boats - including propellers.   One assumes for their scrap value.
In general there is not a problem with security on the beach but it has been noticed lately that 'undesirables' dressed in their community service overalls and left  unattended (whilst the 'gang master' has tea in the local cafe) ostensibly picking up litter.    These convicted persons have been seen to be paying more attention to the properties than to the litter on the ground.

If individuals are given community service as part of a punishment for their undisclosed crime - should they not be better supervised?

In the meantime if any visitor to Dungeness or indeed local sees anything out of the ordinary or suspicious please let the local boys in blue know!   Their number is quite easy to remember - 999!

Thanks

The assistance by Nigel Wheal with new photographs for the site is very much appreciated.

A short bio from Nigel:

Born and raised in Maidstone I have alway had an infinity with the the great outdoors, activities from caving right through to just plain of walking. Gone are the days of me exploring the deep dark caverns that are scattered around the country. 

Photography has taken over from the thrill seeking exploits of my youth and I now wander the south of England trying to capture in the viewfinder what we all take for granted.

I spend all my spare time seeking out vantage points with great views, and looking for everyday vistas that can be turned into something special with the right light or something special happening within the scene.

Essex to Sussex, Kent to Cornwall I try to venture to new places all the time.

I have recently set up a new Website to display some of my images as well as starting a new online blog where I can show what I am doing at present. If you see any image on the site that you are interested in, and would like to find out a little more about sizes and framing please feel free to get in touch with me via the Website ,

Nigel Wheal

Dungeness today

Another power station or an Airport

Uproar because this weird government have ruled out Dungenss for a further nuclear power station.   And the anti airport expansion lobby have been deafening in their silence over the matter.   They must be in a dilemma not knowing which to shout about.   They produced loads of misinformation to stop the airport expansion and when it looked like a lost cause suddenly found a little slug - designated as of European importance to hang their hat on.   Proof if proof were needed that they wanted to stop the expansion at all costs and with nor real reason except that it was in their backyard.   Mind you some complainers aren't even local and seem to have other agendas.   And now a new power station that would destroy a far greater area of local fauna and insects than the extension to the runway - and not a peep.

There has always been an airport here and exceptionally busy one in the 'fifties' and the first of the power stations were constructed with the airport in mind.   Opposition to the runway extension was also based on the close proximity to the power stations - ruled out.

Lets put human beings first.   Jobs in the area are desperately needed and no-one should put the livelihood of local community at risk just for the sake of the 'lesser spotted green eyed slug)

Complaints about the state of the road.   Getting dangerous.  Many large potholes that could easily throw a motorcyclist to his doom.   Maybe we have to have a death before work is carried out.   The estate are aware of the deterioration and we understand 'things will be done'.   In the past the cost of repair of repairs were borne by the gravel extractors, who were blamed for the damage in the first place.   They haven't been running for the past two years so now cannot be held responsible.   But who should pay?  - the residents (probably less than forty reside permanently), the local traders (pub, light house, railway)? -  the hundreds of tourists who regularly visit.   OR the estate who derive some income from the many film shoots held here?  Failing that a toll booth at the entrance gates.   It is a private estate after all and 'not dedicated to the public!

Snowy Dungeness...................

Not a lot to report - except snow again today. Twice in a fortnight and at least half an inch! I can see a national emergency being declared. How will we get to the shops?

Mind you Dungeness does aquire a certain magic - covered in a soft white blanket - and the erie grey power station merging into the lighter grey sky looks like a film set awaiting its cast and crew to bring it to life.

Still snowing so must go and awake the Huskies and get the snow plough warmed up!

Todays scenes:

Help Wanted

We get many emails through the website requesting assistance in tracing long lost relatives associated with Dungeness and for the most part relate to the turn of the century (20th).   The problem is life comes to an end (for most of us at some time) and the numbers of elderly 'local' resident diminishes each year.   The eldest resident went to a nursing home many years ago and apart from one elderly lady there is no one else with the history to even pre war days (WW2).   So if she doesn't know and younger generations have not inherited the history of past inhabitants then there is a problem in helping enquires.   However there may be someone out there who does have some history in their memory banks and therfore a precis of a couple of recent enquires follow:-

A Mr King from Hampshire has enquired about the property 'Retreat', where his grandmother resided, possibly as a tenant, from 1928 to 1932.   He is trying to establish the history of the building - who built it/owned it etc.   Anyone there who can help?

A second enquiry from Hampshire - looking for anyone with history on Peter (Percy) Steward born in/on Dungeness in 1917 and a property called Seagull Cottage.

2010

Happy New Year to all our reader!

Since creating the blogg facility last year have simply not been able to comprehend the method of attaching anything new!    But  2010 New Year resolution will be 'to master it!'  Cannot even find the spill chiker!

Well all the hype of 'global warming' has been tempered recently with the onset of the first significant snow at Dunge for many years but only a sprinkle - not like the old days.    25 miles away - blizzards but sunshine and beautiful sunrises here.

Just before Christmas we saw the departure of Ken and Sylvia Oiler, ex local councillors and stalwarts of 'keep Dungenss unspoilt' brigade.   Members of one of the oldest 'original' Dungeness fishing families they put a great deal of time and effort into ensuring things 'got noticed' here - wish them well in their continued retirement.  

Recently a lot of publicity, national newspapers and tv, regarding the sale of a 'shack' with panoramic views of the east wall of the nuclear power station.   The agents neglected to inform potential purchasers that this 'unique' little property with magnificant views across the beaches was also bathed in the shadow and radiant glow of the now defunct 'A' Station.   Up for around a quater of a million pounds it finally sold to a local family!   The chap who complained bitterly that he had been mislead by the agents details and wasted a journey to Dungeness would seem to be a bit of a trouble maker or just dim.  Who in the world doesnt know that Dungeness does not have nuclear power stations or indeed travelled down without first checking on the internet??

If you have £1.5 million to spare there is quite a nice place available!!  Details upon request (brown envelpoe and £ notes please)

There was a recent, well attended, meeting (makes a change) of the local 'Residents Association' to discuss, with Shepway District Council, the vagaries of planning applications and consent for rebuilding/modernising shacks on the beach.   Alas I was not able to attend the meeting and alas no feedback was made available to the rest of the populace who could not attend.   Word has it  there were the usual gripes from the usual gripers but overall the meeting was, evidently,  a success albeit lacking in any firm outcome or positive decisions.   The main area of concern seems to be the 'wierd and wonderful' structures now being created and 'definately not in keeping with the area'   I think what is ovelooked is that part of Dungeness's uniqueness has always been the variety of buildings/shacks and that they have evolved over the years.   Half of the estate started life as railway carriages and the other half small purpose built bungalows, albeit timber framed for the most part.   The railway carriages had bits added to them and the reult an assortment of shapes and sizes.   The 'Rubber House' was probably the first to break the mould and become something a little out of the ordinary and was accepted.   The 'Wine Glass' is slated for being 'not in keeping.'    It is different yes but if all were reconstructed as per my neihbours' properety (very well done I might add) in wood shiplap painted white (or black as the last dictat indicated) the estate would end up as a twee little village - which it isn't, wasn't and never should be!  Some of the loudest critisisms come from neglected eyesore owners.