Thursday 16 May 2013

GRIFF Hijacked


Griff Rhys Jones was in Thanet today in his capacity as President of Civic Voice, the supporting organisation for all Civic Societies in the UK. Griff arrived by high speed train in Ramsgate to help the campaign for restoring Ellington Park, he then moved on to inspect  Project Motorhouse and the newly renovated promenade shelters.

Whilst at the Project Motorhouse he was hijacked by campaigners with placards protesting about the lack of progress on the Pleasurama site in Ramsgate. However, it quickly became apparent that all parties were on the same side, wanting Ramsgate to be regenerated throughout. Griff in his usual jovial manner agreed to a photo shoot with the “protestors” as seen above.

After the visit to Project Motorhouse , Griff moved on to the Custom House for coffee and an interview with Kent on Sunday (don’t miss it!), before moving on to Margate in order to add his support to the clock tower appeal. Thanks for your support Griff and good luck with the rest of the tour to Faversham and finishing in Rochester on Saturday.

17 comments:

  1. Excuse my ignorance Ken, but what is "Project Motorhouse" exactly? I'm assuming it's something to do with the old Motor Museum.

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  2. Got it in one Peter. It is the scheme to renovate the old Motor Museum / Westcliff Pavilion into a Theatre / Community Centre complex.

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  3. So let me get this straight, The motor museum is to be a community space, Pleasurama is to be a community space, and the Royal Pavillion is to be (wait for it) a community space.....

    Seems that some people think there is unlimited council funds to turn into "community space" vast tracts of property which have never been "community space".

    And we wonder why Thanet is dying!

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  4. Hey John' seeing as these are all currently a "derelict space", people are trying to get something moving.

    The motor museum is a depreciating asset on our books and records with a potentially bottomless pot of money needed for its upkeep unless its put to use.

    But then I suppose its must easier to lob grenades than actually do something, right?

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  5. Anon, perhaps finding VIABLE uses for these properties would be advantageous.

    The motor museum and pavillion are crying out to be unshackled from public ownership and mismanagement, and to be sold to to people who can make the best of them, once the usual nimby/left wing/full time protesters have been rightly dismissed.

    The shallow and naive mantra of "it must be community space" simply underlines the detachment from reality of those proposing such fairy tale ventures.

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  6. The former Motor Museum should become a theatre again, just like Margate's version (The Winter Gardens) still is. As always though, Margate gets priority funding over Ramsgate.

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  7. Not really a question of priority Peter, more a question of viability.

    Can Thanet support 2 theatres? There is a sugegstion it should also be a cinema, wonder how well the Granville would fare if that came to fruition..

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  8. TDC is funding Margate Winter Gardens and The Theatre Royal, BOTH in Margate! So I guess the answer to your question is "yes", as long as it isn't in Ramsgate...

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  10. I think the idea of Project Motorhouse has a broader agenda, I have not been directly involved so I can only comment as a bystander.

    With regard to funding for Ramsgate, it is like swimming thro' treacle, but I must say there has been a sea change to getting things done since TDC adinistration changed.

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  11. As I say Peter, does Thanet need/can it support 3 theatres? Why can a VIABLE use not be found for the property, rather than trying to justify another drain on council tax funds?

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  12. So remove the funding from one of the Margate theatres and then give the money to the former Motor Museum in Ramsgate instead - simples! As I said, Margate gets special treatment over Ramsgate.

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  13. John, If you want to talk sense and cut thro' bullshit you need to get your fact straight, Project Motorhouse is a private enterprise.

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  14. Readit, if you want me to take you seriously, perhaps you should not try to imply I said anything that I clearly haven't.

    Now, lets see, can you point out where I said that Project Motorhouse was anything other than a private venture? I wonder who will be the first entity aproached for funds when "Project Motorhouse" needs propping up as Thanet can;t even support 2 theatres, and the Granville also arrives cap in hand if a new cinema opens...

    Peter, not sure if robbing Peter to pay Paul is a good plan. Why pay to renovate a theatre that won't pay it's way somewhere, when you already have one theatre bought and paid for else where that already can't pay it's way.

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  15. John, I don't want you to take me seriously, I don't even take myself seriously, I do this for fun.

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  16. Hello all. Just a quick comment. I must admit, I can see what John is saying. Once again though, shame that all his responses seem to be swathed in arrogance and hate. It means I just tend to switch off. In response - John - if you want people to take YOU seriously perhaps you should try to limit the hate and arrogance. Or perhaps you should actually reveal yourself and stand as a councillor. You certainly seem to have lots to say. Ciao for now :D

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