What is in store for the pier? Rumours are rife with different theories! It seems possible that the new committee do not want divers on the pier. WHAT!!! If that is true how will they manage to sustain the upkeep of the pier without the income from the divers! Swanage is renowned for the good diving conditions and also helps Swanage as a town (divers staying in b&b's, spending money,etc). Will the pier become another white elephant like the Mowlem?
There is a meeting at the Mowlem on Thursday 26 January at 2.30 Where the committee will outline their proposed plans. If you are concerned about the future of the pier please try to attend.
Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 21/1/12 4:33 PM
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
19 comments:
There is no point citing rumours if there is nothing concrete behind them. What is the source of your rumours? Have you asked the Pier Committee what is happening? What about the diving shop on the Pier? Or even the volunteer manning the gates for 60ps?
Why ask here?
It is possible that the new committee may not want anyone to fish, to walk or moor their boats on the pier but it is extremely unlikely. Is the original post just trying to get people to attend the meeting? Why is the original post anonymous?
They should get rid of the unsightly portacabins, boats out of the water and car parking. Keep the divers and have dedicated spaces for them on the east side of the pier out of sight. Showers and changing rooms too. Kick off the windserfing school which never seems open and get some businesses which pay a sensible rent and attract people. Perhaps a fishmonger with tanks of shellfish for sale or processing; a restaurant and cafe; turn the marine villas into a pub; build some holiday chalets; white knuckle rib tours of the Jurassic Coast etc.
Suggestion from Bill Storer:
Park and Ride tickets and car parking in Broad Road car park should include free entrance to the Pier to encourage visitors.
The meeting on 26th is for annual members of The Friends of Swanage Pier and has been called bring all existing members up to date with the latest restoration work, the shop makeover which is taking place at the moment and the steps the Trust are taking to increase revenue and secure the future of the pier for everyone to enjoy. Rest assured that no-one is being "kicked off", the divers and the income they bring to the pier in parking fees and diving tolls is extreamly important, as are all other users, the anglers, the strollers, those that berth their boats and buy cups of coffee from the shop. All made possible by the never-ending hard work and dedication of a small band of unpaid volunteers.
I might add most of whom are OAP's (for want of a better term) and should be wrapped up warm and cosy at home in winter and not freezing their ***** off manning the gate and helping to park cars.
It would be marvellous if the portacabins could be upgraded to proper buildings for the lease holders but sadly planning put a spanner in the works a few years ago (another fight to resurect when time and energy allows perhaps?)
Its good see from this blog that people are passionate about the pier but such a shame that people are happy to complain and belly-ache about something but rarely step forward to help out. The Trust and volunteers are quite frankly doing marvellous work in very uncertain financial times and gossip and rumour do little to help the situation.
Do you know what would help? Become an annual member of The Friends of Swanage Pier - its only a tenner and you get a free strolling pass plus newsletters about the latest goings-on.
see www.swanagepier.com to join or call into the gatehouse or shop and while you're in there tell them what a bloody marvellous job they are doing.
A Friend of Swanage Pier
The meeting on 26th is for annual members of The Friends of Swanage Pier and has been called bring all existing members up to date with the latest restoration work, the shop makeover which is taking place at the moment and the steps the Trust are taking to increase revenue and secure the future of the pier for everyone to enjoy. Rest assured that no-one is being "kicked off", the divers and the income they bring to the pier in parking fees and diving tolls is extreamly important, as are all other users, the anglers, the strollers, those that berth their boats and buy cups of coffee from the shop. All made possible by the never-ending hard work and dedication of a small band of unpaid volunteers.
I might add most of whom are OAP's (for want of a better term) and should be wrapped up warm and cosy at home in winter and not freezing their ***** off manning the gate and helping to park cars.
It would be marvellous if the portacabins could be upgraded to proper buildings for the lease holders but sadly planning put a spanner in the works a few years ago (another fight to resurect when time and energy allows perhaps?)
Its good see from this blog that people are passionate about the pier but such a shame that people are happy to complain and belly-ache about something but rarely step forward to help out. The Trust and volunteers are quite frankly doing marvellous work in very uncertain financial times and gossip and rumour do little to help the situation.
Do you know what would help? Become an annual member of The Friends of Swanage Pier - its only a tenner and you get a free strolling pass plus newsletters about the latest goings-on.
see www.swanagepier.com to join or call into the gatehouse or shop and while you're in there tell them what a bloody marvellous job they are doing.
A Friend of Swanage Pier
If people get involved in too many projects they will not be able to do a proper job at any of them. Far from belly-aching and complaining I am offering some ideas and constructive criticism.
The 60p charge for strolling acts as a barrier against people entering the pier. There is free access to Eastbourne, Ryde and Bournemouth Piers and Yarmouth IOW has a donation box for 20p. Will the new pier committee consider giving free access for strollers?
The committee also needs to reconsider its policy about locking the gates. A couple of years ago someone locked the gates before the Waverley landed. About 200 people surged forward and the attendant lost the key. Someone could easily have been crushed.
I don't think we will see the Waverley ever return to Swanage.
Silly Whim
why not?
Nick:
-there is a little matter between the company/trust behind the Waverly, its insurance, and some significant damage the Waverley did to Swanage Pier a few years ago.
-SOLAS regs.
The Waverley came last year, so perhaps the insurance stuff is resolved. The sailings are of great consequence to Swanage. I appreciate this is charity, we should support it. Perhaps a suggestion, that the crew should be less surly, and the whole experience be more market orientated.
There is no information on the Waverley Excursion web site about its sailings on the South Coast. The Waverley owners said that last year was a make or break year and most of the sailings from Swanage Pier were cancelled due to poor weather. The Pier Trust has repaired the pier since the Balmoral hit it so there is no reason why either ship cannot use the pier if they need to. I agree that the people who run the Waverley need to improve their general attitude.
Re Waverley
lets not jump the gun the Waverley board are still conducting their meetings to get exact dates agreed but have confirmed that they do intend to visit Swanage Pier in the summer (usually early Sept).
I gather they have resolved their finacial worries of 2011 thanks to a generous personal donation and am confident that once they have the dates agreed the waverley excursions website will be updated.
Swanage Pier Trust would like to clarify that the meeting on the 26th January (as mentioned in original post) has been called by members of the Friends of Swanage Pier organisation, for them to learn about the business plan and air their views.
It is for subscribed members only and is not a public meeting.
It seems rather sinister, surely the general public could be allowed to attend if not participate?
ps I'm a friend, but without the original post I would have no idea about this meeting!
It seems a good opportunity for the Trust to open its doors to non-members who might then join up as members.
Non-members should not speak, however, but they should be welcomed to observe.
Well said. Not a member myself though feel a bit unwelcome :(
Well what a parochial meeting.
The old gentleman who said it was cheaper to dive in the Red Sea than in Swanage has a point. We must make diving in Swanage a desire, not stoop down and try to compete on price. A model for the whole of Swanage. Upmarket the Town and it's facilities!
Felt sorry for the Trustees trying to bring the old school Friends into the real world.
What do the portacabin businesses and dive shop actually pay in rent? Is it realistic, or are they just sponging and relying on the trustees indolence?
Read on a news website that they need more Friends. Only cost me a tenner. At the time I was supping tea from a mug I'd bought years ago - sold to raise funds for the renovation.
Doubt I'll be able to take advantage of the free pass as I don't go home that often.
Post a Comment