Here's an article which appears in the current Private Eye. I think it is 
fairly say there is some heavy insinuation going on here




"UNLUCKY JIM


There was an air of inevitability about the fire which last week destroyed 
much of Margate's Scenic Railway, a grade II-listed wooden rollercoaster, 
once the centrepiece of Dreamland, a classic seaside amusement park which 
closed after 80 years in 2003.

The closure left 20 acres of seafront real estate practically deserted and 
ripe for development by its owner, Jimmy Godden. But the listed 
rollercoaster was in the middle of the site, and an independent government 
inspector's report in 2005 went against the supine local council and 
reiterated protection for it and the amusement park.

That year Godden formed the Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company with 
Reading-based developers Waterbridge, retaining a major stake in Dreamland.

A public "consultation" by Thanet council two years later tried yet again to 
float the idea of a development, coming up with an unhappy 50-50 compromise 
of "heritage amusement park" and the usual flats and shops.

This is not the first time Godden has experienced misfortune with his 
seafront developments. In 1998 his Pleasurama fun park in Ramsgate burned 
down in the midst of a campaign to save it from redevelopment. Fortunately 
on that occasion Godden had the comfort of a substantial insurance payout to 
soften the blow. In 2003 his Mr G arcade on Margate seafront went up in 
flames, but again there was consolation in that the hole it left, nicknamed 
"Godden's Gap" by locals, provided the perfect access road from the seafront 
into the Dreamland site.

When English Heritage listed the rollercoaster in 2002 Godden described it 
as "great news" and told the BBC it was "safe in his hands". A year later he 
closed Dreamland, and now more than a quarter of this historic ride lies in 
ashes.

Inspector Knacker is treating the case as arson."

-- 
Regards, Vince.

Snowdonia trucking POV- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_qusgJlk3M

"Knight Of The Road"  wrote in message 
news:o--dnT61V8oYkY_VnZ2dneKdnZydnZ2d@bt.com...
> Here's an article which appears in the current Private Eye. I think it is 
> fairly say there is some heavy insinuation going on here
>
>
>
>
> "UNLUCKY JIM
>
>
> There was an air of inevitability about the fire which last week destroyed 
> much of Margate's Scenic Railway, a grade II-listed wooden rollercoaster, 
> once the centrepiece of Dreamland, a classic seaside amusement park which 
> closed after 80 years in 2003.
>
> The closure left 20 acres of seafront real estate practically deserted and 
> ripe for development by its owner, Jimmy Godden. But the listed 
> rollercoaster was in the middle of the site, and an independent government 
> inspector's report in 2005 went against the supine local council and 
> reiterated protection for it and the amusement park.
>
> That year Godden formed the Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company with 
> Reading-based developers Waterbridge, retaining a major stake in 
> Dreamland.
>
> A public "consultation" by Thanet council two years later tried yet again 
> to float the idea of a development, coming up with an unhappy 50-50 
> compromise of "heritage amusement park" and the usual flats and shops.
>
> This is not the first time Godden has experienced misfortune with his 
> seafront developments. In 1998 his Pleasurama fun park in Ramsgate burned 
> down in the midst of a campaign to save it from redevelopment. Fortunately 
> on that occasion Godden had the comfort of a substantial insurance payout 
> to soften the blow. In 2003 his Mr G arcade on Margate seafront went up in 
> flames, but again there was consolation in that the hole it left, 
> nicknamed "Godden's Gap" by locals, provided the perfect access road from 
> the seafront into the Dreamland site.
>
> When English Heritage listed the rollercoaster in 2002 Godden described it 
> as "great news" and told the BBC it was "safe in his hands". A year later 
> he closed Dreamland, and now more than a quarter of this historic ride 
> lies in ashes.
>
> Inspector Knacker is treating the case as arson."
>
> -- 
> Regards, Vince.
>
> Snowdonia trucking POV- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_qusgJlk3M
>
>
Could have mentioned his wilful destruction of 'The Ark' cafe in Folkestone, 
which apparently collapsed 3 days after the hurricane in '87.

He's gone all 'gentry' now, living it up in his country estate in Mersham!

"Jon.R"  wrote in message 
news:48121e4c_2@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
> Could have mentioned his wilful destruction of 'The Ark' cafe in 
> Folkestone, which apparently collapsed 3 days after the hurricane in 
> '87.
>
> He's gone all 'gentry' now, living it up in his country estate in 
> Mersham!

I know a Jon R who lives or used to live at Mersham. Do I know you? Did 
you used to work in Greece?

"Roger" <rogerb89athotmail.com> wrote in message 
news:zqCdndRT55dcq4_VnZ2dnUVZ8gOdnZ2d@bt.com...
>
> "Jon.R"  wrote in message 
> news:48121e4c_2@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
>> Could have mentioned his wilful destruction of 'The Ark' cafe in 
>> Folkestone, which apparently collapsed 3 days after the hurricane in '87.
>>
>> He's gone all 'gentry' now, living it up in his country estate in 
>> Mersham!
>
> I know a Jon R who lives or used to live at Mersham. Do I know you? Did 
> you used to work in Greece?
>

Went to Crete on holiday once!!!

"Jon.R"  wrote in message
news:48127454$1_3@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
>
> "Roger" <rogerb89athotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:zqCdndRT55dcq4_VnZ2dnUVZ8gOdnZ2d@bt.com...
>>
>> "Jon.R"  wrote in message
>> news:48121e4c_2@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
>>> Could have mentioned his wilful destruction of 'The Ark' cafe in
>>> Folkestone, which apparently collapsed 3 days after the hurricane in
>>> '87.
>>>
>>> He's gone all 'gentry' now, living it up in his country estate in
>>> Mersham!
>>
>> I know a Jon R who lives or used to live at Mersham. Do I know you? Did
>> you used to work in Greece?
>>
>
> Went to Crete on holiday once!!!

I've got the wrong guy then. An odd coincidence.

"Roger" <rogerb89athotmail.com> wrote in message 
news:zqCdndRT55dcq4_VnZ2dnUVZ8gOdnZ2d@bt.com...
>
> "Jon.R"  wrote in message 
> news:48121e4c_2@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
>> Could have mentioned his wilful destruction of 'The Ark' cafe in 
>> Folkestone, which apparently collapsed 3 days after the hurricane in '87.
>>
>> He's gone all 'gentry' now, living it up in his country estate in 
>> Mersham!
>
> I know a Jon R who lives or used to live at Mersham. Do I know you? Did 
> you used to work in Greece?

I knew a Roger in movie about a cartoon rabbit!  You don't have a fluffy 
tail and hang around with Bob Hoskins do you? :-) 


** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

"The (new improved) Hatter"  wrote 
in message news:727e9$4812efcd$3872@news.teranews.com...


> I knew a Roger in movie about a cartoon rabbit!  You don't have a fluffy 
> tail and hang around with Bob Hoskins do you? :-)

That's me! But I got fed up with the vulgar Hoskins and now hang around 
with the descendents of Beatrice Potter. There's a better class of rabbit 
in that crowd, they wear waistcoats :-)

"Roger" <rogerb89athotmail.com> wrote in message 
news:UeidnZIrVqG9-Y7VnZ2dnUVZ8qijnZ2d@bt.com...
>
> "The (new improved) Hatter"  wrote 
> in message news:727e9$4812efcd$3872@news.teranews.com...
>
>
>> I knew a Roger in movie about a cartoon rabbit!  You don't have a fluffy 
>> tail and hang around with Bob Hoskins do you? :-)
>
> That's me! But I got fed up with the vulgar Hoskins and now hang around 
> with the descendents of Beatrice Potter. There's a better class of rabbit 
> in that crowd, they wear waistcoats :-)

Now what was that hedgehog called?  Miss .......

'bout time we had another beer isn't it? 


** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

"The (new improved) Hatter"  wrote 
in message news:c310e$4813bd75$21170@news.teranews.com...
>
> "Roger" <rogerb89athotmail.com> wrote in message 
> news:UeidnZIrVqG9-Y7VnZ2dnUVZ8qijnZ2d@bt.com...
>>
>> "The (new improved) Hatter"  
>> wrote in message news:727e9$4812efcd$3872@news.teranews.com...
>>
>>
>>> I knew a Roger in movie about a cartoon rabbit!  You don't have a 
>>> fluffy tail and hang around with Bob Hoskins do you? :-)
>>
>> That's me! But I got fed up with the vulgar Hoskins and now hang around 
>> with the descendents of Beatrice Potter. There's a better class of 
>> rabbit in that crowd, they wear waistcoats :-)
>
> Now what was that hedgehog called?  Miss .......

Mrs Tiggywinkle!

>
> 'bout time we had another beer isn't it?

Certainly such a beer would constitute a reunion extraordinaire (almost 
fit for the Radio 4 programme, The Reunion) which no poster would have 
taken bets on happening 2 years ago. But I'm game for anything and while 
precedent suggests it would likely be followed by a massive ng punch-up at 
least it would liven this place up.

It would have to be an evening beer though as these days I have no spare 
time during the day. As for quantity I'm a reformed character now and 
drink only once a week except on special occasions, though a reunion would 
certainly qualify as one of those :-)

Up to you, you have my email address or, if deleted, the one above is 
active. Middle of May onwards would suit me.

"Roger" <rogerb89athotmail.com> wrote in message 
news:3tKdnTmMroAP6YnVnZ2dnUVZ8tuqnZ2d@bt.com...
>
> "The (new improved) Hatter"  wrote 
> in message news:c310e$4813bd75$21170@news.teranews.com...
>>
>> "Roger" <rogerb89athotmail.com> wrote in message 
>> news:UeidnZIrVqG9-Y7VnZ2dnUVZ8qijnZ2d@bt.com...
>>>
>>> "The (new improved) Hatter"  
>>> wrote in message news:727e9$4812efcd$3872@news.teranews.com...
>>>
>>>
>>>> I knew a Roger in movie about a cartoon rabbit!  You don't have a 
>>>> fluffy tail and hang around with Bob Hoskins do you? :-)
>>>
>>> That's me! But I got fed up with the vulgar Hoskins and now hang around 
>>> with the descendents of Beatrice Potter. There's a better class of 
>>> rabbit in that crowd, they wear waistcoats :-)
>>
>> Now what was that hedgehog called?  Miss .......
>
> Mrs Tiggywinkle!

of course... did wonders with an iron! :-)

>> 'bout time we had another beer isn't it?
>
> Certainly such a beer would constitute a reunion extraordinaire (almost 
> fit for the Radio 4 programme, The Reunion) which no poster would have 
> taken bets on happening 2 years ago. But I'm game for anything and while 
> precedent suggests it would likely be followed by a massive ng punch-up at 
> least it would liven this place up.

Punch up?  Naaaa, that's another bloke.  Can't be arsed with hassle.  But 
you're right, it could do with livening up couldn't it.  I think its 
probably dead and buried now and I say it lived a good life... twice as 
bright, half as long.

> It would have to be an evening beer though as these days I have no spare 
> time during the day. As for quantity I'm a reformed character now and 
> drink only once a week except on special occasions, though a reunion would 
> certainly qualify as one of those :-)

Reunion implies more than two to me.... can't see that happening, can you? 
lol.

> Up to you, you have my email address or, if deleted, the one above is 
> active. Middle of May onwards would suit me.

OK, i'll drop you a mail - might have to be into June as i'm going to be 
tied up from middle to end of May most likely.  Sure we'll sort something 
out. 


** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

On 25 Apr, 17:53, "Knight Of The Road" 
wrote:

<SNIP>

> When English Heritage listed the rollercoaster in 2002 Godden described it
> as "great news" and told the BBC it was "safe in his hands". A year later he
> closed Dreamland, and now more than a quarter of this historic ride lies in
> ashes.
>
> Inspector Knacker is treating the case as arson."

As should Kent Police (if they aren't already).

I had a nosey down along the back of Dreamland a couple of weekends
ago and noted how the section missing just happens to be right slap
bang in the middle of ride - the most obvious part to set fire to in
order to cause maximum damage in the hope the ride would be beyond
repair, perhaps?

It's about time Thanet Council did the decent thing for once, and
compulsory purchased the site back from 'Unlucky Jim' and then set
about securing lottery money or some other funding to restore the
Scenic Railway and preserve it for good, and when I say preserve it, I
mean get the missing section rebuilt and do something about the rest
of it which, from what I saw the other day, had obviously fallen into
a fair state of decay before anyone took a match to it.

That, and maybe said council might like to pull its airey head for
five minutes out of the rectum that is 'The Turner Centre', a project
that, unless I'm mistaken, has gone way over both budget and time, and
start doing something about the seemingly very deliberate running into
the ground of Margate seafront by speculatory developers.

--
JackH

wrote in message
news:470d784b-7c08-4d2e-a8d6-39897b4f74eb@m73g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
> On 25 Apr, 17:53, "Knight Of The Road" 
> wrote:
>
> <SNIP>
>
>> When English Heritage listed the rollercoaster in 2002 Godden described
>> it
>> as "great news" and told the BBC it was "safe in his hands". A year
>> later he
>> closed Dreamland, and now more than a quarter of this historic ride
>> lies in
>> ashes.
>>
>> Inspector Knacker is treating the case as arson."
>
> As should Kent Police (if they aren't already).
>
> I had a nosey down along the back of Dreamland a couple of weekends
> ago and noted how the section missing just happens to be right slap
> bang in the middle of ride - the most obvious part to set fire to in
> order to cause maximum damage in the hope the ride would be beyond
> repair, perhaps?
>
> It's about time Thanet Council did the decent thing for once, and
> compulsory purchased the site back from 'Unlucky Jim' and then set
> about securing lottery money or some other funding to restore the
> Scenic Railway and preserve it for good, and when I say preserve it, I
> mean get the missing section rebuilt and do something about the rest
> of it which, from what I saw the other day, had obviously fallen into
> a fair state of decay before anyone took a match to it.
>
> That, and maybe said council might like to pull its airey head for
> five minutes out of the rectum that is 'The Turner Centre', a project
> that, unless I'm mistaken, has gone way over both budget and time, and
> start doing something about the seemingly very deliberate running into
> the ground of Margate seafront by speculatory developers.

Margate and Dreamland were the highlight of my school holidays when I was
a kid. Dreamland had a bad fire then as I recall. Cliftonville was the
posh part of town. It was very exciting to get off the train and smell the
sea-air. Took a trip there last year for nostalgia's sake. I wish I
hadn't, it was very depressing and there was an air of tension about the
place that I felt rather than observed.

Isn't "Knight of the Road" a member of the Dreamland Scenic Railway
Preservation Society? As I recall the railway was unique for some reason.
He may know the council's thinking for it's future.

"Toooldtocare"  wrote

As I recall the railway was unique for some reason.




It was the oldest fairground ride in the country, and the second-oldest in 
the world. It was listed by English Heritage because of its historic value.

Even at the beginning of the Godden era, Dreamland was in the top 10 
paid-for visitor attractions in the UK. Its closure has had a disasterous 
knock-on effect on the whole of Margate.

All along, there has been a showman- Philip Miller, who runs Southend's 
hugely popular funfair- willing to buy it for a good price for an amusement 
park.

Regrettably, land has become more financially valuable for retail and 
low-quality housing- if the site can be developed, it will increase in value 
sevenfold (although house land prices are crashing at the moment). Which is 
why Mr Godden wants to develop it.

We lost the greyhound stadium at Dumpton during the last boom for the exact 
same reason.

My prediction is that the now-closed Dreamland cinema will burn down next.



-- 
Regards, Vince.

Snowdonia trucking POV- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_qusgJlk3M

Knight Of The Road vient de nous annoncer :

>
> My prediction is that the now-closed Dreamland cinema will burn down next.

"burn" ?

Are you sure ?