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5th NOVEMBER 1996
It is hard to believe that your charity has been
established for two and a half years now, and that this is the fifth
report to members. In this time, your committee believes that it has
made steady progress towards the ultimate aim of having Queen's Pier
restored.
Day of the Pier: A hugely successful day last June
when around two thousand people enjoyed a walk again on our Pier.
The stalls, the music, the vintage vehicles, the special
"Promenade Certificates", the RNLI display and the other
attractions all added to the flavour of the day. Even the rain at
4.00 pm could not dampen the spirits! Our cause was well publicised
in the local media, with the event also being featured on Border TV,
and our thanks go to all who contributed to make the event so
memorable.
Your committee is hoping to plan something similar
for next summer.
Millennium Committee: A letter has been sent to
the Millennium committee - Mann 2000 - requesting that the
restoration of the Pier be considered by them for grant aid. We are
advised that our application will be looked at in the New Year, and
that it has the unqualified support of Ramsey Town Commissioners.
Department of Transport: We have been informed by
the Department that their divers have removed all the broken tie
rods and cleaned all the brackets prior to installation of the new
ties. Some new ties have been fitted on the south side of the Pier,
and this work is ongoing.
Expenditure to date this year is a little over £16,000,
and we are assured that the balance of the annual provision of £40,000
will be used towards Pier related work, and will not be lost to
other projects.
We have recently sought guidance from the National
Piers Society in relation to the production of a "Restoration
Brief", which will detail the remedial work required and the
pricing of this work. We believe that this report will be of
fundamental importance in discussing future plans with the
Department, and it will also be invaluable in support of our
application to Mann 2000. There will be costs involved in its
production, and your committee is prepared to utilise some of the
charity's reserves, currently standing at around £6,000.
Models and Prints: The model produced to mark the
"Day of the Pier" proved to be very popular indeed and was
sold out immediately. A second model has been commissioned to
celebrate the Pier's 110th anniversary, and we have asked Ramsey
(IOM) Collectables to produce and market it for us.
The mounted prints of Queen's Pier, from an
original watercolour by Michele Tramontana, are still available at a
price of £17 to include postage, and can be ordered from the
Treasurer at 23 Vicarage Park, Braddan, IM2 2QD. Alternatively,
collect them from Michele's gallery in Ramsey, and save the postage!
A limited supply of the Promenade Certificates are also available
priced at £1 each. All these items really would make ideal
Christmas gifts, whilst benefiting the Charity at the same time.
House of Keys: With the ownership of the Pier
resting with Government, what we really need is a political desire
to proceed with the restoration, and with the General Election
taking place on the 21 November, it is your opportunity to question
potential MHK's on their views in respect of Queen's Pier. We would
urge you all to agitate for positive commitment from the candidates
on this issue, about which we feel so strongly.
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