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| The Friends of Queen's Pier,
Ramsey |
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14th FEBRUARY 2001
| ANNUAL GENERAL
MEETING. |
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| his
will be held on Wednesday 11th April 2001 in St.Paul's Hall,
Ramsey commencing at 7.3Opm. At that meeting it will be
proposed to hold the Subscription level at the current
amount(s) of £2 per Adult and £1 for Juniors. |
| REVIEW OF THE PAST YEAR. |
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| As advised in the
last Newsletter and at the Annual General Meeting, Jack May
stood down as your Chairman and Fred Hodgson subsequently
agreed to take over the reins. We are pleased to advise that
Jack has been elected as our first Honorary Life President
in recognition of his past services. Regrettably there has
been little sign that the Government are any nearer arriving
at a meaningful decision regarding refurbishing our Pier.
During the year your Committee have maintained, and even
increased, the pressure on the Department of Transport to
fulfil its obligations to the Manx Nation in returning the
Pier to its proper place as part of the Island Heritage.
Even presenting a Petition of Grievance to Prince Charles on
Tynwald Day failed to bring any movement from the Department
of Transport! What must we do to ensure Government honours
its obligations to us? A very successful 'Day of the Pier'
was held in excellent weather on Lifeboat Day 29th July with
almost 3000 "customers" passing the gate to walk
on their Pier. Unfortunately due to alleged 'further
deterioration' in the condition of the Pier, the
Harbourmasters Office still insisted on limiting access to
the first bay only. So much for the last ten years of
Stewardship of our Heritage. This was taken up, quite
forcibly, by Hon Alan Bell MHK on your Committee's behalf at
the time, for which we are extremely obliged. Most of you
will know that both Alan and Ramsey's other MHK, Leonard
Singer are both actively involved with the Committee and
give unstinting and valuable support to our cause. In
November Leonard put a motion before Tynwald that "Tynwald
was of the opinion that the Queen's Pier Ramsey should be
re-furbished". Unfortunately this did not progress,
despite a close vote, as it was resolved to give the
Transport Minister until March Tynwald to bring forward his
own proposals. You may have seen in the Media that your
Committee mounted a small good natured demonstration outside
the House of Keys that morning. Subsequent events have
resulted in much helpful publicity for our cause in the
Islands Newspapers. |
| FUTURE PLANS. |
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| We will be organising a coach
to attend Tynwald on 20th March to hear Minister Brown's
proposals. Please come along and show your support. The
coach leaves Parliament Square, Ramsey at 08.30, returning
to Ramsey by about 2pm. Book a seat with either Mary Simkiss
or Michele Tramontana. We shall also be marking the TENTH
ANNIVERSARY of the Pier's closure in an appropriate manner
on Sunday 8th April so, again, do come and pay your
respects. There will, of course, be another 'Day of the
Pier' in July. Watch for the posters and enjoy your Pier. |
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