The money has been donated to this year’s chosen charity, the Dover Outreach Centre, a homeless charity set up not to support people in their homelessness but to help them out of it. To this end, a postal address is provided, help with form filling, letter writing, CVs, job applications and in finding accommodation. The charity has seen much success in housing previously homeless people, 93 in total, 59 have been helped to find work and 17 reunited with family in other areas. Eight have been repatriated to home nations while two have been placed into long-term rehabilitation for drug and alcohol dependency.

Many homeless people suffer from mental health problems. Unlimited appointment time is offered with a professional therapist to help them overcome their problems. The daily drop-in centre offers a wide range of services to help these members of Dover’s community find their way back to independence.

The Dover Outreach Centre also runs the Winter Night Shelter during the three coldest months of the year for up to 15 guests and a social enterprise which employs previously homeless people. The charity is funded solely by donation and staffed by volunteers. To find out more about the charity please visit www.doveroutreachcentre.org

Amanda Stewart, Port of Dover Regatta Event Organiser said: “Despite the inclement weather forecast, the community turned up early to support the event again this year. We are delighted to be able to hold this annual event to bring the port and community together and support such worthy charities in the work they do within the local area. Our thanks also go to the participants, traders and the thousands that braved the weather to make it such a success again.”  

Noel Beamish, Dover Outreach Centre Project Manager said: “This donation is incredibly helpful and an amazing amount. We will use the funding to cover our winter fuel bills and put the remainder towards the general running costs of the day centre. We appreciate the support given so much.”

The Trust was successfully awarded a total of £6,500 for their latest application which means that they can provide a full-time Dover Conservation Community Warden for a second year to continue to work closely within the community, engaging local people with the rich natural heritage on their doorstep.

Established in 2014, and independently managed by the Kent Community Foundation, the Port of Dover Community Fund benefits the local community by supporting projects that provide opportunities for people to develop employment skills as well as those offering activities that enrich and improve the social, cultural and environmental life of local communities.

The total amount of financial support provided by the Port Community Fund to date is £520,000, funding 66 projects for 47 local organisations and over 44,000 beneficiaries.

The grant was awarded for the Kent Wildlife project, entitled People Saving Nature: Nature Helping People through which the Community Warden organises and implements a varied programme of community volunteering and training opportunities which bring the community together to improve their local landscape. Since receiving their first Port of Dover Community Fund grant in 2017, over 750 people have been involved, including 460 children. Initiatives include Forest School Training which helps local people find a deeper connection to nature through garden work at care homes, churches, youth clubs and community centres. Involving people in the development of these areas has created a sense of ownership and provided a safe and usable outdoor space for the benefit of local people and wildlife.

Port of Dover Community Social Responsibility Officer, Jenny Beacon said: “The Port of Dover Community Fund continues to provide a wonderful opportunity for local projects to bid for much needed funding to enhance our community.

“The Kent Wildlife Trust Dover Conservation Community Warden is a fantastic project bringing the community together and creating amazing spaces for both people and local wildlife whilst preserving our natural heritage. I’m delighted that it was chosen for funding again this year and wish them every success.”

Kent Wildlife Trust Head of Conservation Delivery and Partnerships, Paul Hadaway said: “We are very grateful to the Port of Dover Community Fund for their continued support and involvement in our Dover project work. Their funding has allowed us to deliver some exciting projects with the communities of Dover, from wildlife gardening, transforming community greenspaces to developing skills and knowledge which allows young people to engage and understand the wild spaces that surround them. We look forward to a continuing relationship with Port of Dover and are very excited about what the future holds.” 

Notes to editors:

The Port of Dover

The Port of Dover is Europe’s busiest international roll-on roll-off ferry port, operating services through P&O Ferries and DFDS to Calais and Dunkirk [the Port also operates successful cruise, cargo, marina and property businesses].

Geography and Economy

Dover provides the shortest crossing point between the UK and mainland Europe.

The Port of Dover has evolved over the past 60+ years to cater for high-speed just-in-time pan-European supply-chain movements.

Around half of the UK’s imports and exports are with the EU.

There is no substitutable capacity anywhere else in the UK that can take the type and volume of goods handled at Dover.

Annual statistics

Up to £122 billion of trade

Up to 17% of the UK’s trade in goods

5 million vehicles

2.6 million freight vehicles

growth of a third in just four years

2.4 million tourist vehicles

12 million passengers

Daily operations

12 ferries

60 departures

60 arrivals

45-50 minute turnaround

capacity for 120-150 trucks per ferry

Up to 10,000 freight vehicles

180km of freight traffic

400-500 freight vehicles per hour outbound at peak (and similar inbound)

Up to 90,000 passengers

processing over 1 per second

Ferry terminal constrained by cliffs, water and town

space for less than 1,500 freight vehicles (shared with tourist traffic)

space turned over 5-6 times per day (container ports turn their space over every 5-6 days)

The Kent Wildlife Trust

Kent Wildlife Trust is the leading conservation charity in Kent and Medway with over 30,000 members and 65 nature reserves covering over 3,200 hectares of land. They exist to protect the wildlife and natural habitats of the county and achieve this by:

Promoting the principles of sustainability and maintenance of biodiversity.

Safeguarding and managing valuable and threatened habitats as nature reserves.

Lobbying and persuading decision makers and landowners to reduce habitat loss and improve management of sites to benefit wildlife.

Raising public awareness and inspiring action is central to our work and every year they engage with thousands of individuals, through their broad-based education and community engagement programme.

The historic Dover Marine Station (Cruise Terminal One, Dover Western Docks) will once again be beautifully decked out with Christmas decorations and will feature ice-skating on the fantastic indoor real ice rink, Father Christmas in his grotto, rides including bumper cars, market stalls, Christmas activities, a new bar managed by locals Breakwater Brewery, a tea room and many delicious food outlets.

There will be a packed programme of entertainment for the launch from 10:00 until 20:00 including live music from local bands and Father Christmas’ arrival.

Free entry and parking is available throughout the event duration until Tuesday 1 January 2019.

This year’s event is kindly sponsored by DFDS.

Booking for ice-skating and Father Christmas will be available from early November on www.whitecliffschristmas.co.uk

Group bookings for schools, please contact events@doverport.co.uk

For further updates follow us on:

Twitter: @Port_of_Dover

Facebook: @Doverport @DoverPortEvents

LinkedIn: Port of Dover

Website: www.doverport.co.uk www.whitecliffschristmas.co.uk

The software solutions will be deployed throughout the newly constructed multi-purpose RCT which is uniquely positioned to deliver fast, dedicated and direct access to Europe on the shortest sea crossing.

Port of Dover Cargo specialises in the handling, storage and freight forwarding of temperature controlled commodities which include pineapples and bananas, but will also handle more than just the 5-a-day including break bulk, project cargo and abnormal loads for the energy industry across the Kent coast.

Shaun Pottage, Director of Finance & Operational Services, said: “The Sanderson solution will make a huge difference to our operation, allowing us to grow the business and boost our efficiencies to help us deliver service improvements to our customers.

“As part of the drive to provide state-of-the-art infrastructure to customers, Port of Dover Cargo has installed the Sanderson solution to provide customers with real time updates using barcode scanning and RF functionality from the point of receipt though to put away, order processing, pick and pack and dispatch with speed and accuracy.”

With excellent road networks and transport links to the UK, Port of Dover Cargo’s software solutions will manage the complete operation across the terminal to include ships unloading at the quay, dispatch from the warehouse to road traffic entering and leaving the site while integrating with the current systems at the Port. All vehicle and container movements on the site will be live-tracked.

Dave Renshaw, CEO at Sanderson Supply Chain and Logistics, said: “We are delighted to be working with the Port of Dover, who are delivering one of the most important cargo projects in North West Europe.

“It is really good to see how such a prestigious client will benefit from our strategy to offer a broad product capability with our solution covering Warehousing, Terminal Management and Transport related functionality.”

DWDR is the single biggest investment ever undertaken by the Port of Dover and represents the next exciting evolution of the Port, delivering long-term capacity for a key international gateway handling trade to the value of £122bn and representing up to 17% of UK trade in goods.

Dave Herrod, DWDR Programme Director at the Port of Dover, said: “The supply of the Warehouse Management and Cargo Terminal Management software signals a significant step towards the completion of Dover’s new Refrigerated Cargo Terminal, scheduled to open in 2019.

ENDS

Notes to editors

1) Port of Dover

The Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) is a one-off opportunity for the regeneration of Dover, bringing new investment into the area. With UK Government planning approval and supported by a mix of private finance and European Union grant funding, DWDR will deliver:

• Relocation and further development of the cargo business with a new cargo terminal and distribution centre;
• Creation of greater space within the Eastern Docks for ferry traffic;
• A transformed waterfront to ultimately attract a host of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants with Dover’s unique backdrop of the harbour, cliffs and castle; and
• Much needed quality employment opportunities for local people.

DWDR is the single biggest investment ever undertaken by the Port of Dover with c.£250m committed to deliver the first phase.

DWDR scored ‘Excellent’ for the CEEQUAL Whole Team Award – the evidence-based sustainability assessment, rating and awards scheme that promotes the achievement of high environmental and social performance in civil engineering, infrastructure, landscaping and public realm projects.

www.doverport.co.uk/DWDR 

2) Sanderson Supply Chain and Logistics

Sanderson Supply Chain and Logistics specialises in designing and delivering mission critical supply chain management software and has been doing so for over 35 years. Their CALIDUS software products include warehouse management, transport management, terminal management, electronic proof of delivery, track and trace, customer access portals, and automated alerting dashboards.

Customers include, DHL, TNT, British Gas, Carpetright, Hanson, Oak Furnitureland, Moran Logistics, Marshalls, NHS Blood & Transplant and Wickes.

Sanderson Supply Chain and Logistics is a subsidiary of the Sanderson Group of companies. The Sanderson Group employs over 330 personnel and specialises in enterprise software for the manufacturing, retail, wholesale, distribution and logistics sectors.

www.sanderson.com/logistics 

For Nuno Djabi, it not only became the norm, but also proved to be the start of a demanding two years.

Nuno, originally from Portugal, joined the Port of Dover’s flagship Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) development as a graduate Civil Engineer in 2016 after graduating from Anglia Ruskin University with a BEng in Civil Engineering.

He has been a part of the project team, managing the various aspects of civils works which included the A20 Junction Improvement programme, the Prince of Wales demolition enabling works and the main marine civil engineering phases of DWDR Stage 1 & 2. 

He was also seconded to work with the contractor delivering the new marine infrastructure, VSBW – a joint venture with VolkerStevin Boskalis Westminster, as part of his tailored graduate programme working as a site engineer where he oversaw the construction of Berth A, Berth C and the Marina Curve.

Nuno said: “It was the prospect of working on some of the most challenging and complex engineering projects in Europe that made me choose a career in construction. The job is always changing and every day brings a new challenge.

“I am learning from some of the best who have such a wide array of knowledge and the job itself is so diverse. I am not only learning about civil engineering, there are buildings, highways and the marine environment which are helping me expand my knowledge.”

Currently Nuno is involved in the tender and design process for the DWDR Stage 3 and has aspirations to become a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and Project Manager. He is using the DWDR development as the platform to learn under its accredited engineers and leadership team.

Kevin Williams, Senior Project Manager at the Port of Dover, said: “Dover Western Docks Revival is a fantastic opportunity for graduates to join us and play a key role in delivering enhanced national infrastructure for Europe’s busiest ferry port.

“Graduates will receive unique frontline experience on a major infrastructure project, picking up transferable skills that will open the door to a range of future projects and careers.

“The graduate programme also helps us develop the next generation of leaders with technical skills to drive innovation in a maritime industry where experts have highlighted looming shortages of talent.

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. Port of Dover

The Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) is a one-off opportunity for the regeneration of Dover, bringing new investment into the area.  With UK Government planning approval and supported by a mix of private finance and European Union grant funding, DWDR will deliver:

• Relocation and further development of the cargo business with a new cargo terminal and distribution centre;
• Creation of greater space within the Eastern Docks for ferry traffic;
• A transformed waterfront to ultimately attract a host of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants with Dover’s unique backdrop of the harbour, cliffs and castle; and
• Much needed quality employment opportunities for local people.

DWDR scored ‘Excellent’ for the CEEQUAL Whole Team Interim Award – the evidence-based sustainability assessment, rating and awards scheme that promotes the achievement of high environmental and social performance in civil engineering, infrastructure, landscaping and public realm projects.

www.doverport.co.uk/DWDR 

2. VSBW

VSBW is a joint venture between VolkerStevin and Boskalis Westminster to deliver the marine structures and bridge contract for the Port of Dover’s flagship Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) development.

With a contract value of £115m, this construction stage will include the design and build of two new berths including quay walls and land reclamation, a new marina pier, the marina curve, navigation channel and new lock gates, Bascule Bridge and capital dredging work.

3. Image

Nuno leading the site tour of the ICE President visit (July 2017)

Josie Sinden joined Port of Dover’s flagship Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) development as a Graduate Conservation Officer in 2015 after graduating from Anglia Ruskin University with a BSc in Architecture.

But it’s closer to home that Josie has been in her element helping to uncover over 300 previously undiscovered artefacts across DWDR’s worksite.

Originally a pupil at River Primary School in Dover and now living in Deal, the regeneration of the Western Docks has provided Josie the opportunity to oversee the largest archaeology conservation documentation ever undertaken in the Port.

Exciting items were discovered here such as over 300 historic timbers and evidence of Tudor engineering works in the form of a ‘Pent’ – the first successful endeavour at the port of controlling a natural shingle bar, which was a scheme of national importance and required an increase in the taxes on beer and grain to fund it.  Other finds have included the unearthing of several Ice Age mammoth teeth and Victorian basements.

Uncovering Dover’s untold past has been an exciting proposition for Josie: “Being part of DWDR’s project team and getting to uncover the past from below the roads, quays and marinas of one of the UK’s oldest ports, where its history is traced back to Roman times, doesn’t occur too often.

“We’ve exposed finds spanning thousands of years and it’s helping us to gain a greater understanding of this port’s varied and complex past.”

“I am immensely privileged to be working on a project of this scale, where my knowledge is put to the test every day – one day I am dealing with legislation concerning listed building consents and the next helping manage items which are 500 years old – which is a completely new side to my knowledge of heritage and conservation.”

As part of her ambitions to grow in her field Josie successfully gained her MA in Architectural Conservation with Kent University in 2016 and also volunteers as an Items Conservation Assistant with English Heritage at Dover Castle in her spare time.

“I really enjoy the work I do at Dover Castle, it gives you the aftercare element of conservation of items and it’s great to be so involved all over the site, especially the World War Two tunnels. The castle is a huge asset for Dover and it’s fantastic to give something back, even more so when a lot of the conservation work is carried out by volunteers,” says Josie.

Dave Herrod, DWDR Programme Director at the Port of Dover, said: said: “Dover Western Docks Revival’s graduate programme has given Josie a fantastic start to her career. Our graduates’ work doesn’t stop with the delivery of the Port’s flagship development; we hope that their talent and skills will go on to benefit future infrastructure projects in Kent and around the country.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. Port of Dover

The Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) is a one-off opportunity for the regeneration of Dover, bringing new investment into the area.  With UK Government planning approval and supported by a mix of private finance and European Union grant funding, DWDR will deliver:

• Relocation and further development of the cargo business with a new cargo terminal and distribution centre;
• Creation of greater space within the Eastern Docks for ferry traffic;
• A transformed waterfront to ultimately attract a host of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants with Dover’s unique backdrop of the harbour, cliffs and castle; and
• Much needed quality employment opportunities for local people.

DWDR scored ‘Excellent’ for the CEEQUAL Whole Team Interim Award – the evidence-based sustainability assessment, rating and awards scheme that promotes the achievement of high environmental and social performance in civil engineering, infrastructure, landscaping and public realm projects.

www.doverport.co.uk/DWDR 

Doug has an extensive record of successful leadership in the maritime, aviation and ports sectors. As the Port of Dover manages the challenges of Brexit, the Western Docks Revival and developing and implementing a Masterplan for the future, the Board has secured a very high calibre candidate to lead the Executive team and the organisation at this time. Doug will join the Board and take up his position at the latest on 1st March 2019.

Richard Everitt, Chairman, said: “After an extensive search I am very happy to welcome Doug and his family to East Kent. He joins at a challenging time for the Port and its key customers. His skills, experience and personality will strengthen the Executive team and I am confident his appointment will be welcomed by all the Port’s stakeholders.” 

Doug Bannister said: “I am very pleased to be given this opportunity to advance the success of the Port of Dover in what will be a challenging chapter in its rich history.  I am looking forward to working with the team, our customers and stakeholders to deliver this ambition.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

About the Port

The Port of Dover is Europe’s busiest international roll-on roll-off ferry port.  It handles up to £122 billion (or 17%) of the UK’s trade in goods in 2.6 million freight vehicles.  Together with 2.3 million tourist vehicles and around 11.5 million passengers, the Port supports the rapid movement of people and goods with the UK’s largest and nearest trading partner – the EU.

The Port is undertaking its biggest ever single investment, the c.£250m Dover Western Docks Revival, which will deliver:

• Relocation and further development of the cargo business with a new cargo terminal and distribution centre;
• Creation of greater space within the Eastern Docks for ferry traffic;
• A transformed waterfront to ultimately attract a host of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants with Dover’s unique backdrop of the harbour, cliffs and castle; and
• Much needed quality employment opportunities for local people.

About Doug Bannister

Doug is an American with dual British and American citizenship.  He is currently Group Chief Executive Officer of Jersey Airport and Jersey Harbours, having previously been Managing Director of Maersk Line UK, the largest container shipping company in the world.  His international business experience includes transportation organisations in North America, Europe, Asia, India and New Zealand.

Lauren Jolliffe, aged 8, of Dover was this year’s lucky first prize winner of the Dover Marina Open Day kid’s competition winning an exclusive VIP tour of the Port of Dover.

Mum, Sharon and Lauren were shown around by the port’s CSR Officer, Jenny Beacon. First stop was a visit to the port’s Eastern Arm and Port Control. Situated close to the Eastern Entrance where ferries enter and leave the port she learnt about VTS (Vessel Traffic Service), the marine traffic monitoring system used by the port which is similar to air traffic control for aircraft. She learnt how Port Control Officers manage over 140 vessel movements per day, including Cruise ships, ferries and yachts, in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. And from here she also exchanged a friendly wave with a ferry Captain on his Bridge as his ferry left the port on one of the 60 crossings per day.

To find out how shore side operations are monitored and managed, Lauren called into Terminal Control, the operational nerve centre for the Port of Dover. From the Control Room, on the top floor of the building she had a great view of the port in action and learnt about the sophisticated traffic management system and port of Dover Police.

For the last stop on the VIP tour, everyone took to the sea on the Dover Harbour Patrol Launch (HPL), one of the Port’s dedicated vessels that patrols the Harbour 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in all weathers. The HPL’s duties include guiding vessels safely into the Harbour and ensuring that, for safety, everyone using the Harbour abides by its rules.

At the end of her tour, Lauren was presented with a cuddly Sammy the Seal and a book about environment and the planet to remind her of her special day. “It was really good and lots of fun, I especially enjoyed going out on the Harbour Patrol Launch” She said.

Jenny Beacon, CSR Officer at the Port of Dover said: “It was a real pleasure to show Lauren around and explain how Europe’s busiest ferry port operates. She was given a detailed insight into the day-to-day running of the Port and the many different jobs and people working together to keep this vital transport hub moving.”