12 days of Christmas at the Port welcoming over half a million customers

11 cross Channel ferries operated by DFDS Seaways and P&O Ferries       

10 minutes between every vessel movement in the harbour      

9 thousand visiting yachts to Dover Marina a year

8 thousand tourist vehicles over the 12 days of Christmas

7 thousand freight vehicles a day on average

6 thousand tonnes of fresh produce a week through the Dover Cargo Terminal

5 million vehicles including; freight, tourist and coaches a year

4 million coach customers a year

3 hundred and sixty-four days open, closed only on Christmas Day

2 hundred thousand cruise passengers passing through the UK’s second busiest cruise port a year

…and £1 hundred billion of UK/European trade a year 

Merry Christmas from the Port of Dover!

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Note to Editors:

Here are some interesting facts with a festive twist:

• Taking the 12 days of Christmas… the total weight of all gifts mentioned in the festive song equates to around 12 tonnes. In the last 12 months, the Port of Dover carried almost 25 million tonnes, the equivalent of 2 million giant 12 Days of Christmas presents.

• To achieve the 2 million movements of the 12 days of Christmas through Dover, the Port would need a population of Maids, Ladies, Lords, Pipers and Drummers equivalent to the combined population of the UK and Poland.  The Port would also have to borrow about 6 million cows to add to the 10 million already in the UK to productively employ the maids.

• If all Port of Dover outbound freight consisted of nothing but mince pies, there would be enough for every person on the planet to receive just over 100 mince pies every year.

With around 200,000 cars and some 4,000 coaches expected from Friday 18 December through to Sunday 3 January, the busiest time is expected to be Saturday 19 December, with about 80,000 customers heading off for Christmas on a single day.

Tim Waggott, Chief Executive of the Port of Dover, said:  “We will be working hard with our ferry operator partners to get all of our customers on their way for a well-deserved Christmas break. Thank you to everyone who have chosen the Port of Dover as their gateway of choice this year.”

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Notes to Editors:

• The port handles 13 million passengers, 2.5 million freight vehicles and £100 billion of UK/European trade.
• The port supports 22,000 jobs, many of which are in the local community.
• It has a shared vision to protect and enhance short and long term port capacity for the nation while delivering the catalyst for the regeneration of Dover

The tides sweeping around the south coast of England deposited a box from Monterey, California, on Shakespeare Beach, along with a container lid which had Chinese writing on it.

The items were among 225kg of rubbish filling 44 sacks which were cleared from the water’s edge in September when the Port of Dover joined forces with White Cliffs Countryside Partnership to organise a collection for the Marine Conservation Society’s (MSC) Great British Beach Clean.

More than 70 volunteers – from the Brownies, Scouts, Port, the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership and cleaning contractors OCS – scoured the shingle for litter.

In total 5,186 items weighing 225kg were cleared and these were then sorted and logged by the volunteers

The findings have been forwarded to MCS for analysis and will be added to national data to give a fuller picture of the extent of litter in British seas.

Vicki Jago, Head of Safety and Environment at the Port of Dover, said:

“Shakespeare Beach, like many beaches the world over, is vulnerable to marine litter. It’s a problem that’s both unsightly for people and a danger to animals. It’s a problem we must solve together, and the Great British Beach Clean is a part of the solution.

“The results speak for themselves and show how important beach cleans are; they keep our marine environment both attractive and safe.

“Of course, the best way to keep our coasts clean is not to drop litter in the first place, even if we can’t stop other people’s rubbish being swept in on the tides.”

Paul Sampson, Partnership Ranger, White Cliffs Countryside Partnership, said:

“Clearing up marine litter all over the UK remains a big job for generations to come but with enthusiastic volunteers on board we can give Shakespeare Beach a well deserved clean. It also gives us an opportunity to find out exactly what type of litter is making its way by sea to this part of East Kent.”

The next Great British Beach Clean will run from September 16 to September 19, 2016. Details will follow in the New Year on how can you be involved in Dover’s involvement. 

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Notes to Editors:

• The port handles 13 million passengers, 2.5 million freight vehicles and £100 billion of UK/European trade.
• The port supports 22,000 jobs, many of which are in the local community.
• Dover Beach is recommended in the Marine Conservation Society’s Good Beach Guide, listed a beach with excellent water quality and the quality of water is continually tested throughout the bathing water season.
• There are also a number of volunteer tasks organised by the White Cliffs Countyside Partnership throughout the year. For more information please look at the WCCP website: www.whitecliffscountryside.org.uk
• It has a shared vision to protect and enhance short and long term port capacity for the nation while delivering the catalyst for the regeneration of Dover.
• Dover’s 2014 Environmental Benefit in Numbers: 

o    100% landfill avoidance

o    4.4% increase in recycled waste

o    9.88% reduction in carbon footprint, contributing to a 26% reduction since 2007

For 30 years, Tony Searle patrolled the streets of Dover and Folkestone with Kent Police, and for the last 10 he’s been a bobby with Port of Dover Police.

In fact, his time as a frontline constable is just seven years away from matching the record for Britain’s longest serving police officer – and he insists he has no plans to retire any time soon.

“I love the job,” he said. “I’ve had stints with CID but I’m happiest on the streets.

“Being a police officer isn’t about arresting people – it’s about helping society. First and foremost, we’re the ones the public will turn to when they’re in difficulty or afraid. No matter what the situation, they know we’ll always get stuck in and provide support and protection in any way we can.

“Whether it’s getting a motorist to safety after a traffic incident or helping young people who are on a path to criminality to turn their lives around, our role is totally people focused.”

When Tony, 59, first started pounding Dover’s streets, Margaret Thatcher had just been appointed leader of the Conservative opposition, the war in Vietnam was coming to an end, ‘revolutionary’ Betamax video cassette systems had just gone on sale, and the Steven Spielberg blockbuster Jaws was hitting the big screens.

Armed with a truncheon, handcuffs… and a whistle, he could only keep in touch with his station by meeting his inspector at prearranged times, at prearranged locations.

“I think it was a procedure that dated back to the time when we still used police telephone boxes,” he said. “Police communications were pretty basic back then.”

Law enforcement and technology were not the only changes Tony witnessed during his decades on the beat. The Port itself also transformed.

“One of my roles with Kent Police was to mentor and tutor new officers,” he said. “And part of that involved showing them around the Port of Dover. I got to know the place and its people very well – that’s how I ended up working here. I was told that if I ever fancied a change, there would be a job here for me with the port police.

“I’ve seen some major changes in that time – the hovercraft and fast ferries have gone. But the redevelopment of the Western Docks is just what Dover needs; it’s good to see investment coming into the town.”

Tony moved to Dover after leaving the family home – his father was in the British Army and Tony had grown up on military bases.

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Everywhere you turn, previous chapters are finally being closed and a new chapter is now being opened and embraced, heralding a new era of progress for Dover not seen for many years.

The St James Development and DWDR are increasing the level of interest in Dover as together with our district council partners we look to fundamentally change perceptions for the better.

The Port of Dover has worked positively alongside DDC as part of the InvestinDover initiative and is keen to continue playing its part in promoting and delivering some of the key opportunities that are being created.

The Port is firmly committed to working together on the issue of connectivity and is already engaged in discussions regarding connectivity between the waterfront and the town centre.  It is supporting DDC’s Dover Transportation Study as we look to deliver the approved A20 junction improvements in support of Dover’s collective regeneration projects and to ensure they deliver maximum benefit to the local economy.  We are also continuing to work with partners to advocate the wider strategic needs for transport improvements to Dover.

As yet another sign of the Port’s commitment to delivering a fantastic future for Dover, Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover said:

“I am delighted to announce that we will commit £50,000 in funding towards the joint research of a future planning and regeneration environment that we can all support for the ultimate benefit of Dovorians and port users.

“These are truly exciting as well as pivotal times and I trust that we can continue working together in the spirit of mutual trust and cooperation as we herald in a new era for Dover and continue to deliver our shared vision.  I can picture the future and I can’t wait for it to be here.  We start now.”

Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader, Dover District Council, said:

“With the Port of Dover moving ahead with the Dover Western Docks Revival project, another major catalyst for Dover’s regeneration is being delivered. 

“We are working positively together with our Port partners, including on ways to improve access to Dover’s key regeneration sites.  Such wide-ranging commitment to Dover is a reflection of the massive momentum there now is to take Dover forward.”

Dover Western Docks Revival will deliver more jobs, a more vibrant waterfront, more port capacity and help to attract more investment into Dover.  We can’t wait for it to be here!

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Notes to Editors

• The ‘Can’t Wait to be Here’ head in the hole photo features Tim Waggott, Chief Executive of Port of Dover on the right and Tim Ingleton, Head of Inward Investment from Dover District Council in the centre.
• The ‘head in the hole’ will be at various local venues in the run up to Christmas as part of a caption competition – “I can picture myself here because……”, with prizes to win for best captions.

Sonia Limbrick joins the Port of Dover as Head of Business Development (Marine), whose cruise market attracts the likes of Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, Disney, Crystal Cruises, Saga, Fred.Olsen and AIDA.

Prior to joining the UK’s second busiest cruise port, Sonia was with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and was instrumental in putting its upmarket brand, Azamara Club Cruises, on the map in the UK and Ireland during her time as the brand’s Business Development Manager.

It’s this experience and insight into the high end, luxury marine travel market which she now aims to channel into the Port of Dover, promoting the very best of Dover and Kent to an international market.

“It’s important to have an understanding of the expectations of cruise lines and their guests – what they are looking for in a port, what their guests expect when they arrive,” she said. “I live just along the coast from Dover, I grew up in Canterbury, so I know what fantastic attractions Dover and the surrounding county of Kent have to offer to cruise guests.

“A large proportion of cruise guests come from US, Canada and Europe and for them, Dover is an iconic place to sail into with its castle and White Cliffs. Our aim is to build on that history. I want more cruise lines to not only come into the Port of Dover but also to stay longer on each visit.  We can truly deliver destination immersion here in the garden of England.” 

Prior to moving to cruise, Sonia spent nearly 15 years working for Eurotunnel; during that time she held positions within operations, business development and as Eurotunnel’s Brand Manager.

Barbara Buczek, the Port’s Director of Corporate Development, said:

“Sonia’s strong background in cruise sales and her success in growing Azamara’s business in the UK will give us a valuable insight into what the industry wants from us. Sonia will be focusing on strengthening Dover’s relationship with cruise lines and other stakeholders within the travel industry.”

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Notes to Editors:

• The port handles 13 million passengers, 2.5 million freight vehicles and £100 billion of UK/European trade.
• Dover’s 2014 Cruise in numbers: 
• 2 dedicated cruise terminals with 3 cruise berths
• 122 cruise calls
• 190,000 passengers
• Park Mark for safe, secure car parking for 11 consecutive years

The body which administers the fund, Kent Community Foundation, says that £70,000-worth of grants were awarded in May, at the inaugural panel meeting.

The scheme – overseen by the foundation and funded by the Port – is open to projects or groups which enhance the town’s skills and job prospects, or benefit its social, cultural or environmental credentials. The panel is looking for projects which are meeting a clear need and demand, and which can show a positive impact on the lives of Dover residents.

Community bodies and organisations can apply for grants of between £2,000 and £10,000. Their bids are then assessed by an independent panel of experts, each of whom has a strong link to Dover.

Natalie Smith, from Kent Community Foundation, said: “There is still time to get your applications in – this is a real opportunity for community groups to get financial support for their work, particularly small, grassroots organisations doing excellent work on a local level.”

Tim Waggott, the Port of Dover’s Chief Executive, said: “We are really keen to encourage Dover’s community to put in bids. This fund is about putting the Port at the heart of its community and making a real and lasting difference.”

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Notes to Editors

• Further enquiries about the funding awards should be  made to Natalie Smith, Fund Manager, Kent Community Foundation – samantha@kentcf.org.uk / 01303 814 500.
• For more information on the Port of Dover Community Fund, please visit – http://www.kentcf.org.uk/apply/funding-round/#PortofDover.
• For more information on Kent Community Foundation, please visit – http://www.kentcf.org.uk/
• Previous Community Fund beneficiaries include: Cinque Ports Community Kitchen CIC, Dover Music Festival, Dover Partnership Against Crime (CPAC), Deal Festival of Music and the Arts and Bechange.