General Discussion
Just seen the Gazette and literally laughed out loud (the acronym LOL is 25 years old by the way!), at the Carnival begging the council for money and having to hand over the organisation of the pram race to the Force family.
After the way the Carnival committee slagged off both the council and the Force family, this is the ultimate irony.
That said, I hope that the Carnival committee were professional enough to be able to provide an effective cost justification, and I'm sure that the Force family will do a brill job!
A serious question from me. Has anyone ever seen a brilliant town float at a Carnival and thought, "Hmm I must now go to that town"?? I really don't get what advantage a float going round other town's carnivals brings to Dawlish. A nice jolly for some people maybe, but in my opinion zero financial benefit to Dawlish.
Have you ever been to the Bridgwater or Taunton carnivals? Everyone knows about the Bridgwater carnival but Taunton carnival is equally stunning and people come from all over to visit them. That could be us one day!
The Town Council's Finance Committee approved a grant of £5,000 for the Carnival at a meeting today.
Why did we do this? A mixture of reasons. We have always understood that Carnival week is an important week for local families, a chance for everyone to have fun and enjoy being part of a community. We also know that events like these in the town centre are greatly prized by local traders for the boost they bring to trading figures. Dawlish needs to embrace every such opportunity.
I sincerely hope that this doesn't prove controversial. Its good news for Dawlish, and is another example of how - like Party in the Park, Air Show, Triathlon and Dawlish Celebrates - by working together we can break through the economic clouds with a little jollity
After last year's shenanigans I resent a penny of my money going to the Carnival committee. I'd happily forego the tired old float parade in favour of different and more able people organising the week. It's already been proved events can be done better.
... however I recognise that turning them down this year might be misconstrued to make the Council look vengeful... so okay, give them a year's probation but don't have any such misgivings next year
I do hope there isn't going to be any stupid introduction in this year's carnival programme. I would have put given them the money on the proviso that they remain professional throughout this season rather than childish embarrassing strop that was on the first page last year.
I would also hope that a proviso has been put in that the carnival float can only be used at carnivals and not for carnival Committee members own personal use.
Instead of granting money to a committee outside of council control would it not be more sensible for the council themselves to take over the administration and organisation of such an important event in the towns calender. It would also be a good oppertunity for the so called town manager to do some real work on behalf of the town for a change.
It also seems that a few comment makers on here need to try building, towing and administering a carnival float in order to represent their town before making stupid comments. Its bloody hard time consuming work and not about having a jolly at tax payers expense (thats something the council themselves do). The town or carnival queen float is about tradition and it actually takes part on a competion basis just like playing a sporting activity away from home. The prize money obviousely goes towards the running costs, with the glory of winning a carnival event counting towards recognition for Dawlish itself.
Still nobody has answered my question. Has anybody ever seen the, for example, Ashburton float as it goes round Dawlish, and thought "Hmm, that float is so good that I really must go to Ashburton soon".
Fred, you'd be the first to moan if DTC were to take over the running of the Carnival!! I'm sure they'd do a better job and would return it to it's traditional roots, but I'm also sure that you'd not be happy to see your precious funfair shunted off the lawn.
@MrsC
Really. I do think the town council should organise and administer the carnival, would save all the bickering and open up its activities to the "freedom of information act".
As for your comment re the fair it wouldnt in the least worry me if it was shunted off the lawn I personally dont think it a suitable place to have a fair anyway, but it is traditionally a part of the carnival and by way of charters, showmans rights etc has every right to be there. You obviously have no idea what Mr Rowland and his family contribute towards certain activities and groups in Dawlish and many other towns, therfore you have no valid argument against them. For them not to provide a Fun Fair in Dawlish would be like losing another town centre attraction and like it or not the town cannot afford to lose much more
Its not just about the Fair. Its about the town centre and more to the point the lawn.
The site is totally unsuitable for any mass public event and I have been suggesting for many years now that the Carnival, Fun Fair, Airshow and other Parties and live shows should be held on the Warren. The town is no place for fun and entertainment, its a miserable, outdated, run down museum full of dingey little shops offering tack and over priced poor quality refreshments, only suitable for the 2 hour pensioner coach trips laid on by the Torquay hotels. Nothing for families, nothing for teenagers and certainly nothing to get excited about.
In reading this weeks Dawlish Gutsache it seems the Police may put pressure on the local authorities to impose tighter controls on events being held there.
Bye then. Leave the town to people who want to improve it. How on earth do you think that moving events away from the town is going to make things better? Again you're resorting to type by slagging off Dawlish on here, like you do elsewhere on the internet.
When are you moving to Teignmouth? No doubt there were idiots in Teignmouth who 10 years ago said that their town was unsuitable for their play area, for their adventure golf, for their Muse gig, for their new Carlton pavilion, etc, etc. You love Teignmouth now, but I bet you'd have hated it 10 years ago. I only hope that the progress being made in Dawlish continues so that in 10 years time (if not sooner) we'll be looking back and wondering why on earth we let a few naysayers hold us back for so long.
I agree Fred that some things aren't suitable for the Lawn e.g. The Muse concerts held in Teignmouth but equally the Warren isn't suitable for lots of the things your suggesting should be held there. They can't get through the tunnel under the railway lines!
I totally agree with FredBasset. Dawlish is not and has never been a place for families. There is nothing for kids to do, oh yes I forgot the Put Put golf, how such an embarrassment has ever been allowed to continue and so overpriced is beyond me. It's time folks to realise that Dawlish is not a resort town, yes it may have been back in the day with a few large hotels near the station. Dawlish has never been an exciting place, that's how it's been for centuries and there is nothing wrong with that.
Mrs C once again cant read properly or understand whats being said.
Dawlish as a town is a great place to live my comments refere to the general area around the lawn. Not the entire Town as a whole.
I actually attended both nights of the Muse concert in Teignmouth and enjoyed every minute, but look how it disrupted the towns normal activities can you imagine the thought of such an event on Dawlish Lawn as I said totally unsuitable.
Would it not make more sense now that network rail have men and equipment in the area to raise some money and get access to the Warren opened up.
Also now that Sainsbury's have set the president for out of centre shopping how about continuing the theme with Shutterton becoming the new centre for retail outlets. New modern buildings as and what the bigger retailers want with loads of parking, easy access etc.
When are the old school lovers like you Mrs C going to realise that the Strand has no future no matter what you throw at it. The 1.75 million spent last year has not made one jot of difference to trade or anything else. Wake up and smell the coffee. The only way forwand for the existing town centre is to give Gilpin Demolition a contract to improve things
How on earth does Brooklyn Bridge know what Dawlish has been for? He was an immigrant in America for the last 30 years!
As for Fred, I've suggested improvements for all to enjoy, whilst all you've done is suggest closing the town down, in your usual antagonistic manner.
Well Mrs C you finally seem to be getting the idea. How on earth is a plastic play park and a new bandstand plus a carnival without a queen float going to improve the commercial and financial future of the current town centre. Why can you not see that the problem lies with the run down, tired, unfit for purpose buildings most of which are in individual private ownership and suffer from a lack of quality maintainance plus the restrictions placed by the jobsworth conservation officer employed by TDC. The access and parking are useless and there is no way to improve them.
Anyway back to the Topic header. Why dont you volunteer to do a season on the Dawlish Carnival Float and learn what Carnival in the South West is all about, Dawlish may not take it to seriously but you may see it differently at SouthBrent, Bridgwater, Taunton and many others. The illuminated carnival held at Bridgwater in September is a massive international event with millions of pounds worth of equipment and assetts
Reading with interest no comment at present except Mrs C I'm sure 90% of the people who live here have lived elsewhere in my opinion everyone is allowed an opinion no matter how long they have lived here, Your comment about BrooklynBridge IMO is just rude.
Ah Mrs C............ You just don't know do you. Prior to me going to the USA I had lived in this area for twenty years and Dawlish was the same then as it is now. You really have a high opinion of yourself I must admit. I really have no idea why you feel a need to be so obnoxious. Also for your information I am a duel citizen of the UK and the USA. And over my years I have met many people like you. And you have the nerve to call Fred antagonistic, suggest to take a good look in a mirror.
Thanks Andysport for your comment.
Sadly, you lot (few) have no imagination. Improvements are made and you lot (few) slag them off. Improvements are suggested and you lot (few) slag them off. Thank god that the majority of people in Dawlish are positive and want the town to improve. Fred has said that improvements are impossible without bulldozing the town centre - I and others disagree.
I want the carnival to be a success, where did I say that I didn't. As you well know Fred, even if i had the time to join the carnival committee, I couldn't because it's a closed shop and my surname doesn't fit the requirements.
Brooklyn, can I borrow your mirror please, as it doesn't appear to be getting much use in your household. Again I question why you returned to "this area" when all you do is criticise it. I think you're happy for this to be a retirement village - however thankfully not all of us are.
No comment about the new lord of the manor Andysport, other than the fact that I was being sarcastic about Brooklyns previous bigotry towards immigrants when he himself was one. Childish and only slightly irrelevant on my part and I apologise if you found it obnoxious.
I really do think that the Webmaster should consider erasing comments that are nothing more than inflamatory and plain rude. Serious debate is one thing....
Bigotry is the state of mind of a bigot: someone who, as a result of their prejudices, treats or views other people with fear, distrust or hatred on the basis of a person's ethnicity, evaluative orientation, race, religion, national origin,gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics.
Mrs C......Definition above. Is this really how you imagine me as a ( Bigot ) If so you are very much mistaken. I would suggest before you make comments to any individual, to me in particular, may I suggest you look up the term before making a complete fool of yourself. I take your comments to be an insult and personal affront.
And no doubt you would have to have the last word.......
I'm glad that you included national origin in your definition. Given your previous comments on here about Romanians and Bulgarians.
@Elvis some threads would be considerably depleted of comments if the webmaster did that ...
Can I interrupt the bunfight for a second and ask if the Pram Race will be stopping at the Brunswick this year? Thanks. Carry on.
The British public know full well what all this immigration is all about that's for one thing and one thing only, housing and benefits. I don't have a problem with anyone coming here legally provided they can support themselves for a certain period of time and pay into the system.
Mrs C.... Above is my post on the Immigration topic back in Nov last year. I never had a problem with any Immigration provided that they could take care of themselves and not be a drain on the British taxpayer.
Okay, so the ball's been taken in, can we revert to topic now?
Mrs C, has the Pram Race been handed over to the Force family or is that what would have happened if the Carnival Commitee hadn't been given a grant?
The official pram race was already being organised by the Forces, and was not dependent on the grant being approved.
Sorry to slightly correct you Mrs C, but the Pram Race is still very much a part of the Carnival, and not a separate event.
Dan Force and the team at the Brunswick are going to be heavily involved, and I know from the meeting we had with Carnival Committee that they are really grateful for this help. It means a lot of work before and during the event to ensure that the race will go well.
I think all Councillors are pleased to see Dawlish coming together to make Carnival 2014 another big step up in the recovery from the Storm.
That's why I was careful to include the word "official". Thanks for the clarification though Michael and I'm sure that the fresh faces will bring fresh impetus to our carnival. :-)
Dawlish Carnival,
I can't help but to assume that the money the Council give them will go to either the float, or atleast the majority of the float, as that is all they really are interested in or that it will go to thier own pockets. I sincerely hope that the Council keeps close account on everything and really does question every expenditure possible. And of course challenge anything that does not seem correct.
I feel the Carnival Committee have destroyed this Carnival, I will not support them at this current time, and haven't for a few years, I will not put any of my money into thier buckets and collection tins, they have done this town no favours in both thier attitude and behaviour, the way they have treated buisness people and councillors last year was disgusting and should not have been rewarded for, by allowing them money this year.
We all want the Carnival to succeed, but I know that a few years ago there were, fact, as I atteneded the meetings that there were around 40 members of this time, well known, respected and kind people who offered thier support, help and time to the Carnival, a handful of those even offered to help the Committee by taking on vacant places, they were told that thier help is not needed and that they can literally "bog off". So no one is slagging them of for what they do, do. They are really damaging the image and the fun that should be had by all.
It is a great shame.