Boscombe surf reef flaws ‘can be fixed’ (From Bournemouth Echo)

Wait till we get the swell from huricane earl , that will sort it .

"Press and public were barred from yesterday’s meeting"
Excuse the pun, but surely joe public should be allowed to make waves. After all it is their money being wasted!

Once again Bournemouth Council are using underhand tactics to ensure they get the outcome they want. To describe the owners of businesses whose success are dependent on fixing the reef as being “representatives of the surfing community” is misleading.
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Perhaps those businesses which will profit from the reef should put their money where their mouths are and pay for work they believe is needed to make the reef function properly. For the Council to use tax payers money to fund the repairs would be a gross misuse of public funds especially at a time when other Council services are facing cuts in funding.

Total farce two of these surfing icons are surfing businesses they are only in it to improve their turn over if they think it can be improved let them pay to improve it, not the TAX PAYER.
ASR we employed to suppy a reef that worked they didn't . Talking to visitors all through the summer they think its a joke so do most of council tax payers. GET ASR BACK TO FIX IT FREE OF COSTS TO ANYONE IN BOURNEMOUTH.....most of there bosses left the company when they failed again to supply a surf reef they were contracted to build, its company has left reefs through out the world that DONT WORK...time to face the facts ?Bournemouth council were take for a ride at tax payer cost. yes we know the council said it cost us nothing...joke you sold the car park that was a asset that belonged to the local people..council failed in their governance and management of this project from the start we had Mr Brown promising that he would leave in April still here sponging money will we have to put up with usless management. the money is needed in Boscombe precinct that is falling apart and looks a tired run down mess the Chief Exec and Councillors were tasked into look at ways of finding money to update the precinct last year in March notning ever came of it because they bought back the dreaded Imax.........Stop wasting tax payers money on the reef £3.6 million pounds is enough......put any money you have in the centre of boscombe and lets see value for money and actual improve the AREA .........not chasing rainbows like the surf reef you tried but you FAILED ....ASR are contracted to build the surf reef to the standard set out in the Oringinal contract .....not the lowered assesment given later... they have been paid for this farce...let them rectify it it is their liablity not the tax payer in Bournemouth. the officer should sue them if they dont coply with the contract signed or perhaps someone is hiding this contract because it does not stand up to legal requirements...paid to do a job so far coucil , ASR and council officers have failed the residents of Bournemouth perhaps we (the local tax payers)should suethe above for gross mismanagement

So it can be fixed. Ok how long and how much? This entire farce has proved to be the councils Folley and they will spend however much and will go to any lengths to ensure that it was all worth it in the end..because of all the wasted millions spent on it already no one from the council will ever come clean and say they got it wrong and that perhaps that wasted money spent on the dam thing could have gone to a better attraction that everyone could have enjoyed.

Oh yes... £3million could have re vamped the Ice Rink in Westover Road.

Well nice to see they are asking experts on surf reef design! What the hell is the council up to now? Behind closed doors with people who are trying to make money out of it,of course they would say it can be fixed no matter what state it is in.

Can the flaws in the Town Hall be fixed first?

Now lets see if the council can host a meeting of interested parties to fix the problem of lack of sales of their 'surf pods.

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Problem is there are no 'interested parties' that's why barely a half dozen half been sold - well actually the leases as you don't buy the hut you buy a lease.

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I'm sure there'll be a few interested parties locally when council taxpayers finally grasp that they will have to stump up the £3m shortfall.


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Bournemouth council - Britain's longest running seaside farce

Well it looks like Charon has been proved to be a liar. For all his waffle about "openness", he is allowing even more behind closed door stuff to go on. Nothing has changed at BBC. They still treat the public with contempt.---- "David Weight, the original driving force behind the reef project, Sean Taylor of Sorted Surf and Paul Clarke, of Bournemouth Surfing Centre." not exactly an unbiased lot are they? Two shop keepers who don't care how much of our money the Council spends, as long as they reap some profits...and the original dreamer who should have known better. What about the thousands of people who are AGAINST the idea? Don't we get to have a say it what our money is spent on? Looks like the BBC has already decided what is going to happen, and two fingers up to the public who have to pay for it. Like I said at the beginning, Charon turned out to be a liar, surprise surprise. Whatever respect you had at the beginning as gone now Charon. Don't bother trying to expalin yourself in your blog. From now on I, and I'm sure lots of others, will take what ever you write as just another attempted to keep yourself in a job. I was right, you really aren't man enough for the job. Others tell you what to do, and like a good boy, you go off and do it. That's not what the people of Bournemouth want, or expect, from their leader. I also notice how quiet the rest of the Council are. They will go along with the upcoming whitewash, spending even more of our money on this white elephant, and then say "we had no choice" The lot should resign in disgust now, and lets get some fresh people in, hopefully ones who actually care about the people, not just themselves. No doubt Sheppard will ban this post and accuse me of being "aggressive and abusive" Just because people are passionate about things, doesn't make them aggressive. And just because I say things Councillors don't like (and some reporters) doesn't mean I am abusive. If any Councillor feels that hard done by, feel free to take me to court. There was a time whent he press never cared about covering their back sides--- but looks like those days have gone, along with the times when the press acutually used to stand up for the little people. I suppose the bed the "big" people sleep in is a lot more comfortable?

Hi. Do any local residents remember how poor Boscombe seafront was before the reef was built and the area was redeveloped. The overstrand building had been closed for many years, and the pier, the car park had a reputation for drug abuse, as did under the pier. Anyone remember the syringes in the sand? The police use to attend the brewers fayre on a nightly basis to break up fights and the area was desserted.
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Come down now and it's a thriving community with businesses and locals and tourists pumping money back into the economy that will pay for the reef in no time. It's now the honeypot of the bay with a beautiful atmosphere and really well used facilities. How such monumental changes can be percieved as a waste of money is beyond my comprehension.
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Perhaps I could suggest that anyone who really hates this beautiful place could move to Slough and make some room for some move lovely happy people who can't believe how lucky they are to live in such a wonderful town right on the coast.
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Coffee and a lovely slice of Kay's carrot cake overlooking the sea anyone? xxx

It’s past time to give up on the surf reef issue – plenty of surfers already use the area (only the other side of the pier to the ‘surf reef’)! As for the surf pods, perhaps they would have been a little more popular if they were called beach huts and there were adequate parking for those wishing to use them? On several occasions this year I’ve been forced to turn back and go to Bournemouth or Chines beaches due to parking issues! Good one council, sell the car park and try to attract more visitors! I don’t think so!
The only people to make any gain out of this sorry fiasco appear to be the developers who made fortunes selling luxury apartments well out of reach financially of most of us who live in the area! There is a real shortage in the area of decent, affordable family homes but a glut of studio, one bed and two bed flats. So much so that the only way many young families in the area can get housing suitable for their needs is to be in receipt of benefits and privately rent!

Another day another Surf Reef story and more outrage on here from the usual voices.
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The seafront is much better, I for one can hardly believe it is the Boscombe I knew for the last 20 years. Many on here clearly do not want successful business's or new homes (someone might make a profit out of them). Don't forget those business's and the flats are paying taxes and contributing to Boscombe's economy.
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I hope the surf reef task and finish group can find a way to bring the surf reef's performance up to expectations without any new money, then the development will really begin to show impressive results.

rainbowkisses wrote:
Well it looks like Charon has been proved to be a liar. For all his waffle about "openness", he is allowing even more behind closed door stuff to go on. Nothing has changed at BBC. They still treat the public with contempt.---- "David Weight, the original driving force behind the reef project, Sean Taylor of Sorted Surf and Paul Clarke, of Bournemouth Surfing Centre." not exactly an unbiased lot are they? Two shop keepers who don't care how much of our money the Council spends, as long as they reap some profits...and the original dreamer who should have known better. What about the thousands of people who are AGAINST the idea? Don't we get to have a say it what our money is spent on? Looks like the BBC has already decided what is going to happen, and two fingers up to the public who have to pay for it. Like I said at the beginning, Charon turned out to be a liar, surprise surprise. Whatever respect you had at the beginning as gone now Charon. Don't bother trying to expalin yourself in your blog. From now on I, and I'm sure lots of others, will take what ever you write as just another attempted to keep yourself in a job. I was right, you really aren't man enough for the job. Others tell you what to do, and like a good boy, you go off and do it. That's not what the people of Bournemouth want, or expect, from their leader. I also notice how quiet the rest of the Council are. They will go along with the upcoming whitewash, spending even more of our money on this white elephant, and then say "we had no choice" The lot should resign in disgust now, and lets get some fresh people in, hopefully ones who actually care about the people, not just themselves. No doubt Sheppard will ban this post and accuse me of being "aggressive and abusive" Just because people are passionate about things, doesn't make them aggressive. And just because I say things Councillors don't like (and some reporters) doesn't mean I am abusive. If any Councillor feels that hard done by, feel free to take me to court. There was a time whent he press never cared about covering their back sides--- but looks like those days have gone, along with the times when the press acutually used to stand up for the little people. I suppose the bed the "big" people sleep in is a lot more comfortable?

Another day another lie. We already had the 'I don't know what Cllr Spencer is being investigated for' and now another cynical attempt to hide the truth and hoodwink the people he is supposed to serve.

Seems more interested in helping out his conflict of interest, racist and miscreant mates, and with that lots list of shame you have to wonder what the hell Spencer is being investigated for under the shroud of darkness and secrecy?

Is Jim available to fix it!

Markcribb wrote:
Hi. Do any local residents remember how poor Boscombe seafront was before the reef was built and the area was redeveloped. The overstrand building had been closed for many years, and the pier, the car park had a reputation for drug abuse, as did under the pier. Anyone remember the syringes in the sand? The police use to attend the brewers fayre on a nightly basis to break up fights and the area was desserted. . Come down now and it's a thriving community with businesses and locals and tourists pumping money back into the economy that will pay for the reef in no time. It's now the honeypot of the bay with a beautiful atmosphere and really well used facilities. How such monumental changes can be percieved as a waste of money is beyond my comprehension. . Perhaps I could suggest that anyone who really hates this beautiful place could move to Slough and make some room for some move lovely happy people who can't believe how lucky they are to live in such a wonderful town right on the coast. . Coffee and a lovely slice of Kay's carrot cake overlooking the sea anyone? xxx

Markcribb
If your business is thriving so much as a result of the Surf Grief, I am sure you, and your fellow related businesses, will not mind immediately paying any additional costs to bring the Reef up to the standard originally agreed; thus avoiding the need for Bournemouth Council Taxpayers having to waste more money on it, when there are so many more deserving needs to be met.
Never mind your carrot cake, let's just see this carrot from you.
You can stick your carrot cake where the monkey sticks its nuts!

Markcribb wrote:
Hi. Do any local residents remember how poor Boscombe seafront was before the reef was built and the area was redeveloped. The overstrand building had been closed for many years, and the pier, the car park had a reputation for drug abuse, as did under the pier. Anyone remember the syringes in the sand? The police use to attend the brewers fayre on a nightly basis to break up fights and the area was desserted.
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Come down now and it's a thriving community with businesses and locals and tourists pumping money back into the economy that will pay for the reef in no time. It's now the honeypot of the bay with a beautiful atmosphere and really well used facilities. How such monumental changes can be percieved as a waste of money is beyond my comprehension.
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Perhaps I could suggest that anyone who really hates this beautiful place could move to Slough and make some room for some move lovely happy people who can't believe how lucky they are to live in such a wonderful town right on the coast.
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Coffee and a lovely slice of Kay's carrot cake overlooking the sea anyone? xxx

The development around the pier ( With nothing on it ) at Boscombe is not so much the issue, its the huge amount of money that was spent on an attraction that did not cater for everyone, it was also a failure and it is to these points the outrage continues, pouring money into a project to save political face is obscene in these days of cuts in public services, it is also a complete farce in the sense that Boscombe sea front has won awards that is being thrown at it for no purpose other than to create outside interests to a failed expensive project.

Alas I too have to keep the exact terms of my lease with the council confidential but please be assured that over the 25 year term I will pay for most of the reef direct to the local council. If you take into account VAT and PAYE from the crew here we'll pay for it very quickly indeed. Margins are tight, but the contribution to the public funds are significant through a variety of taxes at both the Urban Reef and Beach. Then there is the £2 million it cost to build the venues in the first place. I still rent a flat in Boscombe since every penny that's ever slipped through my fingers has been reinvested into a town that I'm proud of and lucky enough to live, work, play and raise a family in.
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Would you prefer the Dorset Apple cake...that's putting money back into the community too ;-) xx

About how many locally use (would) use the reef were it half as good as that which hits the beaches when the S/Westerly blows anyway?

Just a thought about the reef was the assement on its potential evaluated , prior to the circumcising of the pier and has the removal of its head to turn it into a "Design Awarded Pier !! " affected the reefs performance,

Boscombe seafront is certainly more popular these days, but how much of this increased popularity can be put down to the presence of the 'reef'?
Surely it has more to do with the vast improvements to the appearance of the pier area (though I'm not at all sure about the value of the monoliths and concrete 'mastaba') and Boscombe Gardens?
As for the Council's secret meeting with people with a financial interest in the 'reef', ban on reporting, etc., it simply beggars belief.
What's happened to the openness you so grandly promised us, Cllr Charon?
Why are you behaving like somebody's puppet instead of a leader with some backbone.
Why can you not call a halt now to this 'secret reef assessment' fiasco, let the public know what is happening as it happens and help Bournemouth Council get back at least some credibility.
Of course, as we all know, Cllr Charon will simply spout some obscure Local Authority legislation, legal argument, or whatever, and bleat that there is nothing he or his Council cronies can do to change the current situation with the reef - and I would suggest that Cllr Charon and his fellow Cllrs were being economical with the truth.

The news of more secret meetings does not come as a surprise - the council think it's none of our business what they do to our town nor how they spend our money. And they really don't care what we think. The intelligence-insulti
ng spin they keep on handing down makes it clear they have no respect for those who vote for them. Their agenda is purely keep the developers happy and sell off as many public assets as possible to fund their high wages and pensions. Say goodbye to Kings Park. Say goodbye to Queen's Park.

I have to say all these calls for openness and no secret meetings are all very well. But would you want to be in an organisation where every conversation was immediately broadcast. In some situations a closed meeting is needed so the truth of the situation can be ascertained.
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With the Surf reef all these meetings and announcements can just become a chance to kick the council, not to find a real solution.
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I think like Tony Blair (not many things we agree on) that FOI may have gone too far and will just push meetings into corridors. It is also costing all of us a fortune in the answering all the frivolous requests from journalists.

Markcribb - You are correct in some things and wrong in others. The beach front looks good but more money poured into the reef with ASR's poor track record is not a good idea. Elsewhere in the world old truck tyres have been sunk to make a reef – can’t something like this be done?
Today we read about more drug busts in Boscombe - and let's hope the Police continue to put considerable pressure on drug dealers to reduce this problem.
Residents and traders (in Central Boscombe) compare the £5.5 million plus to be spent on the IMAX when Bournemouth town centre looks fine yet Boscombe central is a mess and no money has been spent on it.
Boscombe’s pedestrianised area looks visually impoverished and unwelcoming to tourists and locals. The paving in the area is in an appalling condition and is well overdue for repaving. At the moment there are a few flowers, which brightens up the shopping area to some extent. All the closed shop fronts could be improved if the Council did as has been done in other towns - that is, allow artists and social entrepreneurs to have the empty shops rate free until the shop is rented out.
The toilets in the Sovereign Centre are really disgusting and dirty - tiles cracked, or missing must make it virtually impossible to clean properly; I have no idea who this belongs to but surely if it is not Council owned, they could at least bring pressure to bear to make the owners improve it.
The Bournemouth Centre for Community Arts remains closed, yet it was a magnet for positive things. The Shelley theatre is still not open.
Boscombe was beautiful, thriving, clean and full of things to do for tourists and locals.
There were 2 cinemas, a swimming pool, the BCCA with theatre productions, there were thriving antique and art shops all the way down to Pokesdown station and all sorts of things for children and adults to do.
Look at Boscombe central now - can you honestly say it is attractive or has something unique or special to attract locals or tourists? It seems the Council have no interest in aiding Boscombe central to improve. All we have had is lots of “Let’s talk positively because that puts out a positive picture then people will come to see it in a positive light.”
This is simply untrue. What has worked in other parts of the country is to see the area as a product to be marketed. So we should be asking, “What advantages, attributes do we have and how can we build on them - and what disadvantes do we have and how can we tackle them together?”
The next stage is to make Boscombe more visually pleasant but it has to be done with the involvement of the residents. Positive things need to be put into place for children, teenagers, and families – to impede the cycle of poverty and make residents feel a sense of community so they care about it. The vibrant, respectable members of the community have to take ownership once again.
Once that starts to take shape, those with disposable cash must be attracted to it by putting in place those aspects, which will engage them – unique shops selling unique products; cafes (like Boscanova) which are laid back and funky; and live music (not just at the weekend but during the week too) in cafes, restaurants and bars.
It can all be done but without the Council’s intentions toward it, and the community believing the Council care, it is most unlikely to happen.

Ahoy Brethren,
Tis yet another sad day fer yerselves. Honesty, integrity, a sense of responsibility and that MUCH publicised ‘openness’ still elude thy BBC, reading thy article have left me apoplectic, I need a darkened room, a goblet of rum, allow me mercury to fall somewhat and concentrate me thoughts afore publishing them in full.

Markcribb - P.S. May I have my Dorset Apple Cake warmed and served with a huge scoop of ice cream and drizzled with lashings of double cream? (I haven't had my lunch yet)
I also want to have dinner at your restuarant at the beach tonight, with a large glass of white wine (something with a hint of gooseberries please) - and just to make it perfect, I want to eat outside watching the sun go down with a flamenco guitarist playing - Boscombe beach is a cool place (forget about the surf reef altogether, we don't need it)

Glashen wrote:
I have to say all these calls for openness and no secret meetings are all very well. But would you want to be in an organisation where every conversation was immediately broadcast. In some situations a closed meeting is needed so the truth of the situation can be ascertained.
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With the Surf reef all these meetings and announcements can just become a chance to kick the council, not to find a real solution.
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I think like Tony Blair (not many things we agree on) that FOI may have gone too far and will just push meetings into corridors. It is also costing all of us a fortune in the answering all the frivolous requests from journalists.

At last, someone with some sense. There should be NO INFORMATION ever given out to the public by any state organisation, apart from propaganda of course. It's freedom of information and democracy that's ruined this country.

Syd Poumen wrote:

Markcribb wrote:
Hi. Do any local residents remember how poor Boscombe seafront was before the reef was built and the area was redeveloped. The overstrand building had been closed for many years, and the pier, the car park had a reputation for drug abuse, as did under the pier. Anyone remember the syringes in the sand? The police use to attend the brewers fayre on a nightly basis to break up fights and the area was desserted. . Come down now and it's a thriving community with businesses and locals and tourists pumping money back into the economy that will pay for the reef in no time. It's now the honeypot of the bay with a beautiful atmosphere and really well used facilities. How such monumental changes can be percieved as a waste of money is beyond my comprehension. . Perhaps I could suggest that anyone who really hates this beautiful place could move to Slough and make some room for some move lovely happy people who can't believe how lucky they are to live in such a wonderful town right on the coast. . Coffee and a lovely slice of Kay's carrot cake overlooking the sea anyone? xxx

Markcribb
If your business is thriving so much as a result of the Surf Grief, I am sure you, and your fellow related businesses, will not mind immediately paying any additional costs to bring the Reef up to the standard originally agreed; thus avoiding the need for Bournemouth Council Taxpayers having to waste more money on it, when there are so many more deserving needs to be met.
Never mind your carrot cake, let's just see this carrot from you.
You can stick your carrot cake where the monkey sticks its nuts!

What's all this nonsense that monkeys stick things up their backsides? They don't. That's just people in Boscombe trying to chill.

"Do any local residents remember how poor Boscombe seafront was before the reef was built and the area was redeveloped. The overstrand building had been closed for many years, and the pier, the car park had a reputation for drug abuse, as did under the pier. Anyone remember the syringes in the sand? The police use to attend the brewers fayre on a nightly basis to break up fights and the area was desserted. "

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That is absolute rot. And I speak as someone who has lived in this areaa most of my life and have walked past that area for most days of the week of the past few years. If you are going to engage in this ddebate get your facts right and stop posting up blatant lies.


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The work that has been done there was partly funded by grants (gardens) and was long overdue as a result of years of having money spent elsewhere.


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"that over the 25 year term I will pay for most of the reef direct to the local council"

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More twaddle, the business taxes you pay are what all businesses pay. Just a shame that you don't have to pay for the extra signage, roadworks and endless council time that is spentpromoting the seafront businesses. As to the basic tarting up of the area that should have been done long ago.

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What is being conveniently missed here is what was originally laid out to us. The sunset boulavard was going to provide other shops and cafes (competition perhaps) and lead to a wondrous renaissance of the area. The drug busts in todays Echo demonstrate that little has changed. It was also going to, not only break even but, return a profit, ha !

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Here we are a few years down the line and, we the council taxpayers, are left with a number of open ended liabilites. We already know there is a £3m shortfall. What will it cost when this absurdity is finally broken up and has to be dragged away ? We do not know what futures costs are going to be incurred in the Overstrand building. Pretty pictures on the walls can only mask problems for so long.

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It is about time Bournemouth council started looking after the interests of all of it's taxpayers, not a priviliged few.

Hi Bob49,

I'm a local boy too having gone to Bethany School in Hamilton road and Portchester School. More than happy to provide photos of the seafront before the rennovations if you can't remember. Granted go back 30 years and it was beautiful, but go back 3 and it was very poor indeed. Today it is just stunning. 20 kids in the water outside my window learning to surf as I speak. That's got to be a postive thing. I kindly hope you will reinstore my permission to join the debate.
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Kindest regards. Mark xx

AHEM. It might be Friday but that's no excuse to start being rude to each other.
Rainbowkisses, Bob49 and Syd Poumen, I'm looking at you.

Markcribb wrote:
Hi Bob49, I'm a local boy too having gone to Bethany School in Hamilton road and Portchester School. More than happy to provide photos of the seafront before the rennovations if you can't remember. Granted go back 30 years and it was beautiful, but go back 3 and it was very poor indeed. Today it is just stunning. 20 kids in the water outside my window learning to surf as I speak. That's got to be a postive thing. I kindly hope you will reinstore my permission to join the debate. . Kindest regards. Mark xx

You went in the back gate, you must have been a Boscombe boy then.
Knole Road is the schools address

Well observed Lord Spring. I did indeed live in Hamilton road so nipped through the gate ;-) Funny memories!

Anybody else noticed how quiet Cllr Charon has become?

Good afternoon, right on cue Rainbow Kisses - sorry about the delayed response, I've been at the sea front - collecting on your behalf some of the most prestigeous awards - made by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors - including best project of the year - for the Boscombe Spa Village. There were only about 40 people in the sea - learning how to surf today - I think that's 2 or 3 less than yesterday. No they were not surfing the big wave, but they have come to Boscombe because Boscombe is on their surf-radar - and they are staying in local hotels and spending money in the local economy. The restaurant was busy, the beach was busy and everyone was enjoying themselves. I'm sorry if that is not what you want to hear, for quite a few of you - you hate the facts getting in the way of a good kicking. What the task and finish group is trying to do, and as I understand is making good progress - is find a solution to improve the performance of the reef itself - within the financial envelope of the £150,000 left - which belongs to the contractor provided they achieve the outcome required. That will not cost the taxpayer a penny more than has already been committed (for the 20th time). I am not running that group and if there are sensitive negotations required to bring about that end result then they can be dealt with in private - if that assists. There is no hidden agenda - ASR will either agree to carry out the works or they won't. I hope that they will and more important I hope that everyone involved will be able to agree on those works. So call me a liar if that makes you feel better. I can't sue you because I don't know who you are - but in politics being called a liar goes with the territory so no big deal - since I know that I am not, that's all that matters. The real shame, the real irony, is that for anyone else looking in, the regeneration including the gardens, the overstrand, the pier, the promendade, is nothing short of an outstanding example - and next week I intend to publish in full the speech given this afternoon by the RICS Head Judge. If our local paper thinks that our tourism industry and the regeneration is best served by a narrow focus on the performance of the reef itself - which without doubt needs improvement - whilst ignoring the massive benefits of the scheme as a whole, including a huge reduction in anti-social behaviour, that is a matter for the paper. I happen to think on this occasion, unlike the Air Festival, they have got it wrong. The land was sold to Barretts at a premium price, the Council wisely negotiated an overage of £750,000 - and despite the recession Honeycombe Chine was built out and the sales to date have seen us receive all of that money - all of which has been reinvested in the scheme. Sales of the pods have been slower than anticipated and we will be looking at how that position can be improved. But as far as I am concerned, and there is nothing that any of you can say that will make me change my mind, the scheme as a whole has been an outstanding success. I do however note and agree that we must not forget that there are still other parts of Boscombe that need our focus and support, and no-one should be in any doubt - it will get it. I am off now to celebrate the opening of the South West Regional Dance Centre at the Pavillion after a £3m+ investment - the most significant to date under this Administrations Town Centre Master Vision and another key attraction putting Bournemouth firmly on the tourist map.I wish you all a very enjoyable weekend. Hope that wasn't too noisy for you Rainbow Kisses.
Kind regards,
Peter
Cllr Peter Charon
Leader
Bournemouth Borough Council

Best this bunch of Bonza Surf Dudes club together and put their own money where their big mouths are.
They have wasted enough of the ratepayers money that could have been spent on something of real benefit to the community.
No more council money to be spent on something that will only benefit a few hundred people. Lets face it in the UK surfing is a MINORITY sport.
The simple fact of life is that this is Bournemouth NOT Bondai, NOT Malibu, its NOT even Cornwall.
Spend the ratepayers money on something for the MAJORITY not something that will only be of interest to a couple of local shops.

Cllr. Charon promised to keep in touch and here he is again - let's hope he is right and the central part of Boscombe will be improved to match up to the fantastic seafront. Boscombe central so desperately needs it to ensure regeneration is to work long term and extend further into the community.
Mark Cribb I still want my Dorset Apple Cake with cream!!! Or should I now go straight for dinner, a cold beer, then a glass of cold, white wine?
Let's hope this Indian Summer weather stays for a long time - I intend to chill out this weekend (weather permitting).
Rainbowkisses - I can see your angry, disallusioned and cynical - but it really is a fab day so put it all away and get out and chill out....all we can really do is trust that people will keep their promises and they need a chance to do that. Cllr. Charon has only been in the job weeks.......

PeterCharon wrote:
Good afternoon, right on cue Rainbow Kisses - sorry about the delayed response, I've been at the sea front - collecting on your behalf some of the most prestigeous awards - made by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors - including best project of the year - for the Boscombe Spa Village. There were only about 40 people in the sea - learning how to surf today - I think that's 2 or 3 less than yesterday. No they were not surfing the big wave, but they have come to Boscombe because Boscombe is on their surf-radar - and they are staying in local hotels and spending money in the local economy. The restaurant was busy, the beach was busy and everyone was enjoying themselves. I'm sorry if that is not what you want to hear, for quite a few of you - you hate the facts getting in the way of a good kicking. What the task and finish group is trying to do, and as I understand is making good progress - is find a solution to improve the performance of the reef itself - within the financial envelope of the £150,000 left - which belongs to the contractor provided they achieve the outcome required. That will not cost the taxpayer a penny more than has already been committed (for the 20th time). I am not running that group and if there are sensitive negotations required to bring about that end result then they can be dealt with in private - if that assists. There is no hidden agenda - ASR will either agree to carry out the works or they won't. I hope that they will and more important I hope that everyone involved will be able to agree on those works. So call me a liar if that makes you feel better. I can't sue you because I don't know who you are - but in politics being called a liar goes with the territory so no big deal - since I know that I am not, that's all that matters. The real shame, the real irony, is that for anyone else looking in, the regeneration including the gardens, the overstrand, the pier, the promendade, is nothing short of an outstanding example - and next week I intend to publish in full the speech given this afternoon by the RICS Head Judge. If our local paper thinks that our tourism industry and the regeneration is best served by a narrow focus on the performance of the reef itself - which without doubt needs improvement - whilst ignoring the massive benefits of the scheme as a whole, including a huge reduction in anti-social behaviour, that is a matter for the paper. I happen to think on this occasion, unlike the Air Festival, they have got it wrong. The land was sold to Barretts at a premium price, the Council wisely negotiated an overage of £750,000 - and despite the recession Honeycombe Chine was built out and the sales to date have seen us receive all of that money - all of which has been reinvested in the scheme. Sales of the pods have been slower than anticipated and we will be looking at how that position can be improved. But as far as I am concerned, and there is nothing that any of you can say that will make me change my mind, the scheme as a whole has been an outstanding success. I do however note and agree that we must not forget that there are still other parts of Boscombe that need our focus and support, and no-one should be in any doubt - it will get it. I am off now to celebrate the opening of the South West Regional Dance Centre at the Pavillion after a £3m+ investment - the most significant to date under this Administrations Town Centre Master Vision and another key attraction putting Bournemouth firmly on the tourist map.I wish you all a very enjoyable weekend. Hope that wasn't too noisy for you Rainbow Kisses.
Kind regards,
Peter
Cllr Peter Charon
Leader
Bournemouth Borough Council

I am surprised you have the front to show your face. How can anyone take you seriously? You deny knowing what Spencer is in trouble about when half the town knows. That makes you very economical with the truth in my eyes so why believe a word you have to say Mr ex Developer now landlord?

Sam Shepherd wrote:
AHEM. It might be Friday but that's no excuse to start being rude to each other. Rainbowkisses, Bob49 and Syd Poumen, I'm looking at you.

Sam
Here's looking at you,babe!
I trust that Cllr Charon is no longer 'in the dark' about who you are, Ms Shepherd, and that you will never consider banning him....as I find his contributions so entertaining!

Syd Poumen wrote:

Sam Shepherd wrote:
AHEM. It might be Friday but that's no excuse to start being rude to each other. Rainbowkisses, Bob49 and Syd Poumen, I'm looking at you.

Sam
Here's looking at you,babe!
I trust that Cllr Charon is no longer 'in the dark' about who you are, Ms Shepherd, and that you will never consider banning him....as I find his contributions so entertaining!

entertaining yep. but well rewarded financially and a handy job if your in the landlord/Developer game eh?

I find myself agreeing with both Mark Cribb and Jinglebell. Boscombe seafront has really turned around as a Boscombe born lad I'm so happy and proud to see it. However the regeneration funds Boscombe town centre had have done very little and the pedestrian precinct is something to be fully ashamed of. As jingle bell points out the surfacing is dreadful. I would imagine a pedestrian precinct surface is designed to last 15-20 years, although many councils replace far more frequently. Boscombe has had 22 years now, and 2days out of 7 has market lorries on it which it wasn't designed for. The council should fully replace as a matter of urgency.

Bob 49 is talking a load of rubbish as usual, don't worry about him Mark

yet more poll tax money wasted.
It was a failed venture from the start,yet the overpaid brain dead morons at town hall thought it was a good idea to go ahead with the shambolic thing.

No Charon, you weren't to noisy for me. Nor were you enlightening. You seem to have all your answers canned, ready to bring out on cue. Nothing you have said will make most people change their minds that the reef has been a white elephant from beginning to end. Funny how you see so many surfers--- every time I walk past it, and that is most days, everybody is on the otherside of the pier. As for this behind the doors group, just why is it pro reef people get a say, yet anti reef people only get to sound off on here? You promised openess, but all we get is closed doors, thats why your a liar to me. I'm not really that upset about it either----the more you tell, the fewer votes you and your mates will get in May. You really do think all voters are stupid and have such short memories. that will be your downfall. Oh and don't forget, you have just said that any tweeking will NOT cost us anymore money except the £150k already allocated. See if you can at least get that right----time will tell.

'rainbowkisses" go back to where you crawled out from,you cant even get the facts you believe in right. Trot trot

Peter Charon wrote: ‘Good afternoon, right on cue Rainbow Kisses - sorry about the delayed response, I've been at the sea front - collecting on your behalf some of the most prestigious awards - made by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors - including best project of the year - for the Boscombe Spa Village.’
It’s what locals and holidaymakers think that matters, Mr Charon, not ‘prestigious’ bodies like the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.
Have you ever noticed how winning the Man Booker Prize does not always make a novel popular?

Peter Charon wrote: ‘There were only about 40 people in the sea - learning how to surf today - I think that's 2 or 3 less than yesterday. No they were not surfing the big wave, but they have come to Boscombe because Boscombe is on their surf-radar - and they are staying in local hotels and spending money in the local economy.’
How do you know any of this to be so, Mr Charon?
Did you interview each one of these 40 or so ‘surfers’?
If you must indulge in political spin, Mr Charon, then at least try to do a better job of it.

Peter Charon wrote: ‘The restaurant was busy, the beach was busy and everyone was enjoying themselves.’
What was the cause of this, Mr Charon, the recent improvements in the Boscombe Pier area or the presence of the ‘reef’?
Are you implying that most of the restaurant’s patrons were surfers?

Peter Charon wrote: ‘I'm sorry if that is not what you want to hear, for quite a few of you - you hate the facts getting in the way of a good kicking.’
You misunderstand, Mr Charon.
Locals do want to hear that Boscombe seafront is now much improved and attracting more visitors from all over.
What we do not want to hear, Mr Charon, is you and your fellow Councillors telling us or implying that the ‘reef’ is behind this influx of visitors.

Peter Charon wrote: ‘What the task and finish group is trying to do, and as I understand is making good progress - is find a solution to improve the performance of the reef itself - within the financial envelope of the £150,000 left - which belongs to the contractor provided they achieve the outcome required. That will not cost the taxpayer a penny more than has already been committed (for the 20th time).
You say ‘the taxpayer’.
This term applies usually to payers of income tax, not local council tax.
So, Mr Charon, what are you actually assuring us of here; that no more of our (Bournemouth residents) council tax will be spent on the ‘reef’?
Or are you actually saying no more UK residents’ income tax will be spent on the ‘reef’?

Peter Charon wrote: ‘I am not running that group and if there are sensitive negotiations required to bring about that end result then they can be dealt with in private - if that assists.’
You may not be running the group, Mr Charon, but surely, as Council Leader, you are kept fully aware constantly of what is being said and by whom?

Peter Charon wrote: ‘There is no hidden agenda - ASR will either agree to carry out the works or they won't. I hope that they will and more important I hope that everyone involved will be able to agree on those works.’
The three people called to this latest ‘reef’ behind closed doors meeting (what happened to all your talk about openness?) have an interest in the continuing existence of the ‘reef’, and yet you, Mr Charon, claim there is ‘no hidden agenda’?
And what if ASR (or whatever name they now call themselves) refuse to carry out the works?
What then, Mr Charon?
Are their contingency plans in place to deal with such an outcome?

Peter Charon wrote: ‘So call me a liar if that makes you feel better.’
Well, I do not think you are lying about anything here, Mr Charon, but I do believe that you are being economical with the truth – but, then, should I expect anything different from a politician, even a minor one such as yourself?

Peter Charon wrote: ‘I can't sue you because I don't know who you are
Now you are being plain daft – and a tad panicky.

Peter Charon wrote: ‘- but in politics being called a liar goes with the territory so no big deal - since I know that I am not, that's all that matters.’
No, Mr Charon, what matters is that some of your electors see you as a liar, and here you are being dismissive about it. In this you come across as arrogant, and that, as I am sure you will agree, is not a good thing.

(Because it is nothing more than political spin)

Peter Charon wrote: ‘- I do however note and agree that we must not forget that there are still other parts of Boscombe that need our focus and support, and no-one should be in any doubt - it will get it.’
Can you not see, Mr Charon, that these ‘other parts of Boscombe’ should have been dealt with before refurbishing Boscombe seafront?
Why did it escape the Council’s notice that to reach this seafront one has to pass through some of the most depressed and depressing parts of Bournemouth?
What was the thinking behind attracting more people to Boscombe seafront and at the same time reducing the number of parking spaces?
Why cannot you and your fellow councillors just admit openly that mistakes (the ‘reef’ in particular) have been made with the Boscombe seafront makeover, and then set to somehow putting it right?

Peter Charon wrote: ‘ I am off now to celebrate the opening of the South West Regional Dance Centre at the Pavillion after a £3m+ investment - the most significant to date under this Administrations Town Centre Master Vision and another key attraction putting Bournemouth firmly on the tourist map.
I am sure that those folks living in the parts of Boscombe that desperately need improving will be delighted by this news.

note:
I wrote, '(Because it is nothing more than political spin)'
In front of this I wrote 'snip' but for some reason it doesn't appear on the Echo forum.

Good afternnoon, whilst I don't particularly want to indulge in bloggers ping pong - there are some issues raised that I think are worthy of reply:
This project - including the original feasibility study - goes back to 1999. Way before my time, and way before the time of the present Conservative Administration. I cannot answer for things over which I or my colleagues had no control. But when it comes to risk-taking and ground-breaking initiatives -of course mistakes will be made and yes, that is exactly what we are trying to do - work through them and resolve them - at no new cost to the local taxpayer. But when it comes to innovation and levering in money from the private sector, heritage lottery and others, the entire scheme is an outstanding achievement. Yes, as a matter of fact, it is precisely because of the surf-reef, that there have been several thousand people - locals and holiday makers alike - in the last 12 months - who have come down to Boscombe to learn to surf - of course not on the reef itself - it was never designed or envisoned to be for learners - but because of the reputation - national and international - of the regeneration. Anyone who says that it only matters to the locals - 99% of whom do not surf - are way off base. When outside bodies - comparing 30 or more regeneration projects in the whole of the South West - choose Boscombe Spa Village as the best - the word goes around and it becomes a virtuous circle - more people want to come and find out what all the excitement is about. And I will do as I said I would early next week - publish the speech that was given by the Head Judge - with his permission - so you will see how the outside world views us. And when I say there were 40 or so people learning to surf that's because I and 30 other people in the presentation group saw them with our own eyes. Were you out and about yesterday Rainbow Kisses? My answers to you are neither canned nor prepared - they are spontaneous and easy to write because the truth is - you just don't see it when it is staring you in the face and you and some of your blogger mates are not used to having someone who will answer back. The £150,000 is without doubt local taxpayers money, which was generated by selling off a piece of prime real-estate for over £10m if you count the overage. It was not raised by Council Tax but it was land owned by the Council on behalf of our residents. This regeneration project by itself has improved deprivation levels, reduced anti-social behaviour and whereas property prices in Boscombe overall were 20% below the Bournemouth average they are now 5% above it. So there is much more to this than just the reef itself - but no argument or disagreement from me about the need to increase the performance of the reef, and now turn our focus and attention to those remaining parts of Boscombe that need it and will be an absolute priority over the next few years, but starting much, much sooner. I can't help anyone with their perceptions - or their opinions. And how do you know that there is no-one in Boscombe that will not be delighted with the brand new dance centre? It is a sheer delight and before you knock it go and take a look for yourselves. Again we were told that already the centre is starting to have a reputation for the excellence of the facilities on offer - locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. A £3m project, on time, and on budget, like the Kinson Hub, like the RoCo centre in Pelhams Park, like the new council housing at Mallard Road, like the extra-care home for people with dementia again in Kinson. Whilst you bloggers (not all it must be said) are busy knocking, it is the Conservatives at the Town Hall who are delivering time and again and that is how it is whether you accept it or not. MarcussCarcuss - no matter how many times I say (and my register of members interests confirm) that I am no longer a developer, you continue to trot it out. Top marks for bringing this to everyone's attention again.
Kind regards,
Peter
Cllr Peter Charon
Leader
Bournemouth Borough Council

PeterCharon wrote:
Good afternnoon, whilst I don't particularly want to indulge in bloggers ping pong - there are some issues raised that I think are worthy of reply:
This project - including the original feasibility study - goes back to 1999. Way before my time, and way before the time of the present Conservative Administration. I cannot answer for things over which I or my colleagues had no control. But when it comes to risk-taking and ground-breaking initiatives -of course mistakes will be made and yes, that is exactly what we are trying to do - work through them and resolve them - at no new cost to the local taxpayer. But when it comes to innovation and levering in money from the private sector, heritage lottery and others, the entire scheme is an outstanding achievement. Yes, as a matter of fact, it is precisely because of the surf-reef, that there have been several thousand people - locals and holiday makers alike - in the last 12 months - who have come down to Boscombe to learn to surf - of course not on the reef itself - it was never designed or envisoned to be for learners - but because of the reputation - national and international - of the regeneration. Anyone who says that it only matters to the locals - 99% of whom do not surf - are way off base. When outside bodies - comparing 30 or more regeneration projects in the whole of the South West - choose Boscombe Spa Village as the best - the word goes around and it becomes a virtuous circle - more people want to come and find out what all the excitement is about. And I will do as I said I would early next week - publish the speech that was given by the Head Judge - with his permission - so you will see how the outside world views us. And when I say there were 40 or so people learning to surf that's because I and 30 other people in the presentation group saw them with our own eyes. Were you out and about yesterday Rainbow Kisses? My answers to you are neither canned nor prepared - they are spontaneous and easy to write because the truth is - you just don't see it when it is staring you in the face and you and some of your blogger mates are not used to having someone who will answer back. The £150,000 is without doubt local taxpayers money, which was generated by selling off a piece of prime real-estate for over £10m if you count the overage. It was not raised by Council Tax but it was land owned by the Council on behalf of our residents. This regeneration project by itself has improved deprivation levels, reduced anti-social behaviour and whereas property prices in Boscombe overall were 20% below the Bournemouth average they are now 5% above it. So there is much more to this than just the reef itself - but no argument or disagreement from me about the need to increase the performance of the reef, and now turn our focus and attention to those remaining parts of Boscombe that need it and will be an absolute priority over the next few years, but starting much, much sooner. I can't help anyone with their perceptions - or their opinions. And how do you know that there is no-one in Boscombe that will not be delighted with the brand new dance centre? It is a sheer delight and before you knock it go and take a look for yourselves. Again we were told that already the centre is starting to have a reputation for the excellence of the facilities on offer - locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. A £3m project, on time, and on budget, like the Kinson Hub, like the RoCo centre in Pelhams Park, like the new council housing at Mallard Road, like the extra-care home for people with dementia again in Kinson. Whilst you bloggers (not all it must be said) are busy knocking, it is the Conservatives at the Town Hall who are delivering time and again and that is how it is whether you accept it or not. MarcussCarcuss - no matter how many times I say (and my register of members interests confirm) that I am no longer a developer, you continue to trot it out. Top marks for bringing this to everyone's attention again.
Kind regards,
Peter
Cllr Peter Charon
Leader
Bournemouth Borough Council

Peter
Well Said

It is good to see you making the case, clearly not everyone likes to have their views challenged but you at least are prepared to make your case.

Peter
Your blogs provide better entertainment than any episode of Would I Lie To You?!
Please continue to share (that's share as in Charon) your views.
Never forget, 'We're all in this together.' Truth or Lie?

All Bloggers - For goodness sake!! How can you call someone a liar when they have hardly had a chance to start the job. I realise people are sick of Councillors telling them to think positive; that anti-social behaviour is down; property prices are up etc. etc. when what you see does not seem to accord with what we are told.
Cllr. Charon has said he intends to improve Boscombe Central - it is here in black and white. Most Councillors have been very coy about their intentions preferring euphemistic language to hide their real intentions.
I would find it astonishing if Cllr. Charon was lying - it would be political suicide.
Deprivation in Boscombe must cost the Council a fortune in Social Services; Council tax relief etc. etc. - the more that is done to turn the corner from deprivation into regeneration, the less the costs will be.
Cllr. Charon is a sucessful business man - it simply makes good sense to invest in Boscombe Central - with the community's complete involvement so the residents actually feel it is their community and can take pride in looking after it again.
Hope has been dashed so many times -the time for action is here and I believe Cllr. Charon should be given the chance to prove he can do it.
Mark Cribb - I haven't heard a word back - what's the cake for today? And I do wish you would let us sit outside at the seafront to have a meal (not just the barbecue)!

My apologies jinglebell. Your wine and cake observations have been well followed but I was not entirely sure this was the place to respond. Today I think the strawberry muffins are particularly good.
.
Dinner on the deck us something we would love to do too. However in the summer we have in excess of 100 people per night eating in the restaurant desperate to visit 'toilet' town Boscombe whilst overlooking 3 million quids worth of sandbags and moaning into their fresh mussels and rib eye steaks. Serving food on the deck too would require to big a compromise in quality from the small kitchen. This is why our daytime cafe menu is differerent from our restaurant menu when we serve food on all levels.
.
Mark@urbanreef.com for any more details and the free cake or I suspect the echo will think I'm advertising :-)
.
This blog has indeed made me chuckle over the past few days and for that I thank you all greatly.

Kind regards. Mark.

@jinglebell
Which part of the MasterVision suggests any rush for investment in Central Boscombe? Perhaps with their £3.8million investment in the Pavillion Dance Centre, after £3million plus wasted on the Surf Grief, Cllr Charon and BBC are dancing to a different tune. But, for the moment, it remains slow, slow, maybe quick,quick, slow for any development in Boscombe proper.

@Markcribb
Thank you for your continued politeness. May you keep on chuckling and laughing all the way to the bank, just so long as you both remain solvent.
Oh, and don't worry about the Echo and free advertising, you have miles to go in that regard before you catch up with Palmair or Tailor Made at Sandbanks, don't you know?!

PeterCharon wrote:
Good afternnoon, whilst I don't particularly want to indulge in bloggers ping pong - there are some issues raised that I think are worthy of reply: This project - including the original feasibility study - goes back to 1999. Way before my time, and way before the time of the present Conservative Administration. I cannot answer for things over which I or my colleagues had no control. But when it comes to risk-taking and ground-breaking initiatives -of course mistakes will be made and yes, that is exactly what we are trying to do - work through them and resolve them - at no new cost to the local taxpayer. But when it comes to innovation and levering in money from the private sector, heritage lottery and others, the entire scheme is an outstanding achievement. Yes, as a matter of fact, it is precisely because of the surf-reef, that there have been several thousand people - locals and holiday makers alike - in the last 12 months - who have come down to Boscombe to learn to surf - of course not on the reef itself - it was never designed or envisoned to be for learners - but because of the reputation - national and international - of the regeneration. Anyone who says that it only matters to the locals - 99% of whom do not surf - are way off base. When outside bodies - comparing 30 or more regeneration projects in the whole of the South West - choose Boscombe Spa Village as the best - the word goes around and it becomes a virtuous circle - more people want to come and find out what all the excitement is about. And I will do as I said I would early next week - publish the speech that was given by the Head Judge - with his permission - so you will see how the outside world views us. And when I say there were 40 or so people learning to surf that's because I and 30 other people in the presentation group saw them with our own eyes. Were you out and about yesterday Rainbow Kisses? My answers to you are neither canned nor prepared - they are spontaneous and easy to write because the truth is - you just don't see it when it is staring you in the face and you and some of your blogger mates are not used to having someone who will answer back. The £150,000 is without doubt local taxpayers money, which was generated by selling off a piece of prime real-estate for over £10m if you count the overage. It was not raised by Council Tax but it was land owned by the Council on behalf of our residents. This regeneration project by itself has improved deprivation levels, reduced anti-social behaviour and whereas property prices in Boscombe overall were 20% below the Bournemouth average they are now 5% above it. So there is much more to this than just the reef itself - but no argument or disagreement from me about the need to increase the performance of the reef, and now turn our focus and attention to those remaining parts of Boscombe that need it and will be an absolute priority over the next few years, but starting much, much sooner. I can't help anyone with their perceptions - or their opinions. And how do you know that there is no-one in Boscombe that will not be delighted with the brand new dance centre? It is a sheer delight and before you knock it go and take a look for yourselves. Again we were told that already the centre is starting to have a reputation for the excellence of the facilities on offer - locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. A £3m project, on time, and on budget, like the Kinson Hub, like the RoCo centre in Pelhams Park, like the new council housing at Mallard Road, like the extra-care home for people with dementia again in Kinson. Whilst you bloggers (not all it must be said) are busy knocking, it is the Conservatives at the Town Hall who are delivering time and again and that is how it is whether you accept it or not. MarcussCarcuss - no matter how many times I say (and my register of members interests confirm) that I am no longer a developer, you continue to trot it out. Top marks for bringing this to everyone's attention again. Kind regards, Peter Cllr Peter Charon Leader Bournemouth Borough Council

Actually Charon, I have no problem with you answering back, I just don't believe a word you say. There was so much spin in your post, I'm surprised you didn't get dizzy writing it. Nothing you say is going to make me change my mind, just as nothing I say will make you change yours. What is obvious though, is your contempt for the voters of Bournemouth. That comtempt might just bite you in the butt come May. I notice you kept quiet about your "openess" policy. Not doing a very good job with it are you? You make a big song and dance about the few things you have got right, as if we should pat you on the back for doing the job you're paid for. That's the problem with this Council---- you get so many things wrong, you have to make lots of noise about the things you get right. You won't get respect Charon, unitl you actually back your words with action. People are p****d off hearing promises, they want action. I actually had high hopes for this Council when I read your blogs and comments---- you soon burst that bubble.------------ As for you stopps, don't worry, I'm sure your Mum will put your toys back in your pram soon.

Xchurch-man wrote:
Best this bunch of Bonza Surf Dudes club together and put their own money where their big mouths are.
They have wasted enough of the ratepayers money that could have been spent on something of real benefit to the community.
No more council money to be spent on something that will only benefit a few hundred people. Lets face it in the UK surfing is a MINORITY sport.
The simple fact of life is that this is Bournemouth NOT Bondai, NOT Malibu, its NOT even Cornwall.
Spend the ratepayers money on something for the MAJORITY not something that will only be of interest to a couple of local shops.

Hope you will be as forthcoming about the deviants in your council...oh don't you know or are you a liar?

stopps wrote:
'rainbowkisses" go back to where you crawled out from,you cant even get the facts you believe in right. Trot trot

Are you Mrs/Mr Charon?

rainbowkisses wrote:

PeterCharon wrote: Good afternnoon, whilst I don't particularly want to indulge in bloggers ping pong - there are some issues raised that I think are worthy of reply: This project - including the original feasibility study - goes back to 1999. Way before my time, and way before the time of the present Conservative Administration. I cannot answer for things over which I or my colleagues had no control. But when it comes to risk-taking and ground-breaking initiatives -of course mistakes will be made and yes, that is exactly what we are trying to do - work through them and resolve them - at no new cost to the local taxpayer. But when it comes to innovation and levering in money from the private sector, heritage lottery and others, the entire scheme is an outstanding achievement. Yes, as a matter of fact, it is precisely because of the surf-reef, that there have been several thousand people - locals and holiday makers alike - in the last 12 months - who have come down to Boscombe to learn to surf - of course not on the reef itself - it was never designed or envisoned to be for learners - but because of the reputation - national and international - of the regeneration. Anyone who says that it only matters to the locals - 99% of whom do not surf - are way off base. When outside bodies - comparing 30 or more regeneration projects in the whole of the South West - choose Boscombe Spa Village as the best - the word goes around and it becomes a virtuous circle - more people want to come and find out what all the excitement is about. And I will do as I said I would early next week - publish the speech that was given by the Head Judge - with his permission - so you will see how the outside world views us. And when I say there were 40 or so people learning to surf that's because I and 30 other people in the presentation group saw them with our own eyes. Were you out and about yesterday Rainbow Kisses? My answers to you are neither canned nor prepared - they are spontaneous and easy to write because the truth is - you just don't see it when it is staring you in the face and you and some of your blogger mates are not used to having someone who will answer back. The £150,000 is without doubt local taxpayers money, which was generated by selling off a piece of prime real-estate for over £10m if you count the overage. It was not raised by Council Tax but it was land owned by the Council on behalf of our residents. This regeneration project by itself has improved deprivation levels, reduced anti-social behaviour and whereas property prices in Boscombe overall were 20% below the Bournemouth average they are now 5% above it. So there is much more to this than just the reef itself - but no argument or disagreement from me about the need to increase the performance of the reef, and now turn our focus and attention to those remaining parts of Boscombe that need it and will be an absolute priority over the next few years, but starting much, much sooner. I can't help anyone with their perceptions - or their opinions. And how do you know that there is no-one in Boscombe that will not be delighted with the brand new dance centre? It is a sheer delight and before you knock it go and take a look for yourselves. Again we were told that already the centre is starting to have a reputation for the excellence of the facilities on offer - locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. A £3m project, on time, and on budget, like the Kinson Hub, like the RoCo centre in Pelhams Park, like the new council housing at Mallard Road, like the extra-care home for people with dementia again in Kinson. Whilst you bloggers (not all it must be said) are busy knocking, it is the Conservatives at the Town Hall who are delivering time and again and that is how it is whether you accept it or not. MarcussCarcuss - no matter how many times I say (and my register of members interests confirm) that I am no longer a developer, you continue to trot it out. Top marks for bringing this to everyone's attention again. Kind regards, Peter Cllr Peter Charon Leader Bournemouth Borough Council

Actually Charon, I have no problem with you answering back, I just don't believe a word you say. There was so much spin in your post, I'm surprised you didn't get dizzy writing it. Nothing you say is going to make me change my mind, just as nothing I say will make you change yours. What is obvious though, is your contempt for the voters of Bournemouth. That comtempt might just bite you in the butt come May. I notice you kept quiet about your "openess" policy. Not doing a very good job with it are you? You make a big song and dance about the few things you have got right, as if we should pat you on the back for doing the job you're paid for. That's the problem with this Council---- you get so many things wrong, you have to make lots of noise about the things you get right. You won't get respect Charon, unitl you actually back your words with action. People are p****d off hearing promises, they want action. I actually had high hopes for this Council when I read your blogs and comments---- you soon burst that bubble.------------ As for you stopps, don't worry, I'm sure your Mum will put your toys back in your pram soon.

Hey 'rainbow', you're not the only one having your views challenged by Mr Charon in a robust manner. I happened to make a common-sense 'state of the nation' response to his second 100% positive blog, and, surprise, surprise, he didn't agree with me!
Where's all these Independent candidates? Roll on May 2011?

Maybe I'm wrong BUT most surfers don't really strike me as the type to bring in much money, so why do we need a surf reef? And even if we do really need one why make it so minuscule in the first place? I'd rather my council tax went towards cleaning up the town and encouraging better shops and businesses than failing miserably at enticing in a few surfers that aren't going to spend much money and will probably sleep in their VW's rather than book an hotel.

The chances of Mr Charon telling the truth about the Spencer story or admitting the abject failure/public land sell off of the Reef scam is about as likely as Cameron's Spin Doctor being in the dark about phone tapping, or an ex Developer wanting to be a big cheese on the Council for reasons other than self interest.

The council said,
The council also decided not to issue a press update afterwards, saying they would only do so when the group has finished its discussions and is ready to make recommendations.
Of course they wont because its all a whitewash, so this will be more thousands of our money spent on this ill thought out load of old tosh.
The best recommendation would be to let the whole thing rot back into the sea and cut the losses.
I know people who have tried to use the surf reef and after only one visit they still get up early in the morning and drive to the place where surfing is guaranteed ------ Cornwall.

People, Cllr Charon doesn't have to come on to this website and respond to your comments. He could report you all for libel and try to force us to take your comments down.

That he doesn't is to be commended - and the least you can do is be civil enough to call him Mr Charon instead of Charon.

You don't have to agree with each other but you do have to treat each other with respect.

Sam Shepherd wrote:
People, Cllr Charon doesn't have to come on to this website and respond to your comments. He could report you all for libel and try to force us to take your comments down. That he doesn't is to be commended - and the least you can do is be civil enough to call him Mr Charon instead of Charon. You don't have to agree with each other but you do have to treat each other with respect.

"He could report you all for libel".....
Sam, he could report people who are critical and exceed the libel limit, but please, that is not all of us.
Yes, I agree, he is to be commended for not taking that line.

I'm rather reminded of Monty Python's parrot sketch when reading this thread. Questioned about what £11m has delivered and we are told kids paddle in the water - never had that at Boscombe beach, have we ?

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Ask about what happened to the 'promised' regeneration of the area and we are told that house prices are now higher in Boscombe than Bournemouth. That must be pleasing to all those who own the multi occupancy houses in Boscombe (whoever they are and whereever they live).

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The reef has failed - "it's not, it's just resting !" The upmarket retail/cafe outlets on the pier never happened - " yeah, they're just stunned ". Surfpods have not sold " beautiful plummage (artwork).

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So maybe we could cut the evasion and have one or two straight answers.

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Income from the sales/renting of the surfpods was factored into the budget for this development. Can we be told what the shortfall is in this area and from what other budget will the council make up that shortfall ?

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How much has been spent on 'beach fundays' and other promotions related to Boscombe beach and from what budget did this money come from ?

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How much has been spent on running buses to a from Boscombe pier and again from what budget did this come from ?

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The Overstrand building has had all of it's lights on for the past year. Even in the earliy hours of winters mornings. As no one is allowed to remain in the surfpods over night why is this ? Can we be told how much this has cost and from what budget has the money come from ?

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There. Four pretty straightforward questions that relate to how Bournemouth council taxpayers money has being spent. Could we have some answers, please ?

All I want is VFM !
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£1500 COUNCIL TAX per annum!!
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Thats every 12 months for the cretins in Boscombe.
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FOR WHAT ??

Sam Shepherd wrote:
People, Cllr Charon doesn't have to come on to this website and respond to your comments. He could report you all for libel and try to force us to take your comments down. That he doesn't is to be commended - and the least you can do is be civil enough to call him Mr Charon instead of Charon. You don't have to agree with each other but you do have to treat each other with respect.

Sam,

Cllr Sharon didn't have to start off with all the hype "I'm the greatest, most honest, I'll sort it all out" !
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Where is he now ?
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Public SERVANTS good or bad will always be in the frame, thats why you have a job !!
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If you can't stand the heat don't light the FIRE

If the people posting these responses are so concerned with boscombe, perhaps they should put their money where their mouth is and show some leadership.

All I see are anonymous jokes complaining endlessly. What do you expect that to accomplish? I can assure you nothing, and it only makes us look ungrateful and selfish.

If you have problems, do something about it. Wasting time posting on the daily echo message board is a sure fire way to accomplish nothing - no one cares about rainbowkisses or cap't ahab.

Improvements are obvious, one step at a time. For a small seaside town, the council has taken very unique approach - I applaud them. It's unfortunate that people are so sheepish, get worked into a frenzy by the daily echo, and can't recognize how hard our civic leaders work to improve our lives.

"no one cares about rainbowkisses or cap't ahab"

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Other than you it would appear.

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"how hard our civic leaders work"

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That has never been the question. It is their competence that is being challenged - and just as you see the relevance of using this forum so do many others.

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The 'Emperors new clothes' had a small voice from the crowd crying out in dissent. The same voices on here are just as welcome as they are likewise needed.

That's your prerogative - the emperor's new clothes is a fable, sure a valuable lesson, but only a story. This is the real world Bob, change doesn't come from message boards, it comes from action.

Max Green wrote:
If the people posting these responses are so concerned with boscombe, perhaps they should put their money where their mouth is and show some leadership.

All I see are anonymous jokes complaining endlessly. What do you expect that to accomplish? I can assure you nothing, and it only makes us look ungrateful and selfish.

If you have problems, do something about it. Wasting time posting on the daily echo message board is a sure fire way to accomplish nothing - no one cares about rainbowkisses or cap't ahab.

Improvements are obvious, one step at a time. For a small seaside town, the council has taken very unique approach - I applaud them. It's unfortunate that people are so sheepish, get worked into a frenzy by the daily echo, and can't recognize how hard our civic leaders work to improve our lives.

Ahoy ‘Max Green’
Tis right that ye spend time voicing yer opinions, how did ye phrase it? “If you have problems, do something about it. Wasting time posting on the daily echo message board is a sure fire way to accomplish nothing - no one cares about rainbowkisses or cap't ahab” …. Then why have ye just ‘wasted’ thy Echo’s time with yer comments, I be right flattered ye moor me, yer humble servant alongside ‘rainbowkisses’ but surely ye do praise me too much there be many more accomplished Brethren upon here that are entitled to their opinions as indeed you are, yet unfortunately fer thee, those DO speak common sense, no wonder ye be incensed.
It also be a puzzle that since Cllr Charon have taken thy BBCs helm many more, as before, unheard of ‘supporters’ have come aboard here, it cannot be afore any major rebuilding, structural changes fer nought have bin accomplished, thy BBC still be navigating its Pre-Cllr Charon course. It make me smile sir, me thinks ye have bin ‘press-ganged’ in to service fer support. How ironic ye choose to use the very medium ye condemn thy Brethren fer using.
Me Regards.

"get worked into a frenzy by the daily echo"

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Rather an over exageration I would suggest.

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You didn't have anything to do with the numerous promises made by the council in regards to this sham did you ? They were rather over exagerated as well .

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As to a story and a fable, the much vaunted regeneration of Boscombe falls under that category as well. £11m used to subsidise a few priviliged outsiders. Eat you heart out Hans Christion Anderson, you could never conjure up such a fantastic tale.

Nothing to do with the reef or the regeneration except to support them as good ideas. Boscombe is recognized because of them - and in a good way. We were on no one's map until these changes were made. Is that a bad thing. I think it's tiring that you guys spend a lot of time bashing everything mindlessly and I think its important for people to see that not everyone feels the way that you do.

Good morning - thank you Mr. Green for your balanced views. Last week on this blog I promised that I would publish the Head Judge's (SW RICS) remarks at the award ceremony. I am sorry it has taken an extra few days but for those of you who are willing at least to read for yourself the way that other people see us - please visit the Council's website at www.bournemouth.gov.
uk - click on Leader's Blog, click on "this weeks blog" and in the middle of the text there are 2 links - one to the judge's speech in full and the other to a detailed presentation about the Boscombe Spa Village and just what sort of effect it has had. Rgds. Peter
Cllr Peter Charon
Leader
Bournemouth Borough Council

Peter Charon wrote 'thank you Mr Green for your balanced views.'
Good job your name is not Mr Blue, because we all know what sort of unbalanced views Bournemouth's Mr Blue looks at, and few of us wish to share them!

Max Green wrote:
Nothing to do with the reef or the regeneration except to support them as good ideas. Boscombe is recognized because of them - and in a good way. We were on no one's map until these changes were made. Is that a bad thing. I think it's tiring that you guys spend a lot of time bashing everything mindlessly and I think its important for people to see that not everyone feels the way that you do.

Ahoy ‘Max Green’
Here ye be yet again and as ye do say wasting even more of thy Echo’s time and print with yer opinions. There were one point I did agree with ye about yesterday but me scribe omitted it in me reply to thee and it were yer OWN words (just in case Ms S.S. be a peeking at Peapod.) “you do look ungrateful and selfish” Tis with a most familiar arrogance ye have about ‘telling’ me crew and I what we be allowed to do! How dare ye spout yer limited knowledge of Boscombe history, then ye venture to quote yer ‘Weights Elephant’ as a ‘good idea’ perhaps it, with a far stretch of thy imagination, an idea but in reality it were doomed to the failure it undoubtedly is and that sir is not how I seek to have Boscombe placed on any map. Tis also fair to draw yer attention that because of thy BBCs behaviour it be mentioned again in Private Eye!! Guess ye should be proud of that notoriety and place that recognition firmly on yer map.

PeterCharon wrote:
Good morning - thank you Mr. Green for your balanced views. Last week on this blog I promised that I would publish the Head Judge's (SW RICS) remarks at the award ceremony. I am sorry it has taken an extra few days but for those of you who are willing at least to read for yourself the way that other people see us - please visit the Council's website at www.bournemouth.gov.

uk - click on Leader's Blog, click on "this weeks blog" and in the middle of the text there are 2 links - one to the judge's speech in full and the other to a detailed presentation about the Boscombe Spa Village and just what sort of effect it has had. Rgds. Peter
Cllr Peter Charon
Leader
Bournemouth Borough Council

Ahoy Cllr Charon
Tis with some reservation I read yer thanks to Mr Green fer his ‘balanced’ views, forgive me but am I to assume in order to obtain a balance one has first to agree with his blatantly bias opinions? I be right afeard me faith in thee be seeping away like a leaking barrel but to be fair it bin just a few weeks ye bin helmsman, ye appear to have set yer minions afloat to board thy Echo with their support of ye, they not very discrete though. I do suspect if thee do not take some decisive action relating to thy issues (ye claim to be aware of) within thy BBC then be prepared to ship even more water over yer gunnels from next years electorate.
Regards.

Its a Joke ,

Simple solution , Kerry Black , Shaw Mead and their other parties involved in this hoax HAS to foot the bill for reactification. There is not OTHER way to resolve this issue. They are sitting in their houses in Lombok and Raglan , LAUGHING at every tax payer that funded THEIR new lifestyle .

GET THEM BACK AT THEIR COST

not ours

Ahoy there Ahab, thank you for the new commission as all seems that it not yet sorted?
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I do detect with my power of observation that a prominant shill is active again -so obvious that all will know he is acting too suspiciously.
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It becomes too easy to see -defending that which is indefensible. But beware there captain - as there may be dark evil a foot yet !
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Watson is working undercover in the most unlikely of places and already has exposed much that defys description.
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Again I have enlisted the aid of my good friend Sigmund . He has reviewed all the information that you sent on all such projects globally. He reports as expert in his field that a pattern of fiendish behaviour is emerging. This story repeats itself over and over in many other places. Money paid and less than expected results emerging.
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I have another associate checking if this is normal and acceptable for such contracting. Sad to say if it is, there will not be much that can be done.
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As you know well the ocean has no friends -only victems.

at your service as always

~ SH&W ~
~
" for when the truth needs airing"

Ahoy again captn, Thank you for the question regarding the meaning of shill. I asked Sigmund and he has penned this quote from the wiki.
"A shill in a psychology experiment, or the like, is called a "confederate". In Stanley Milgram's experiment in which the subjects witnessed people getting electric shocks, a confederate would pretend to be one of the experimental subjects who would receive the fake shocks, so that the real experimental subject would think that a draw of names from a hat was random. The confederate would always play the role of the learner, and the subject would be the teacher, and the subject would think that this was a random draw from a hat containing papers that say "learner" and "teacher".

In performance art, such as DECONference (Decontamination Conference), the confederates were called "deconfederates", and when a large group of (de)conference attendees were asked to remove all clothing prior to entry to the deconference, the deconfederate, planted among the attendees, would comply immediately with the request, causing all of the others to follow the orders and disrobe as well. (Reference: Volume 36, Number 4, August 2003, E-ISSN: 1530-9282 Print ISSN: 0024-094X, "Decon 2 (Decon Squared): Deconstructing Decontamination", August 2003, pp. 285-290"
_

There are many interpretations of the term if you were to use your electric scribe "thingy " to search for "shill". One may recognise much within the descriptions offered there.

Thank you for the question and I hope the answer is helpfull.

~SH&W~

Ahoy Sherlock,
Tis a right warm welcome back I offer ye. Sad to say in yer absence nought much have changed, thy BBC have a new Helmsman, I refrain from Captain as he aint taken charge with thar conviction he did lead thy Brethren to believe he be capable of and there still be much ‘loitering’ behind closed and secret doorways, but I’m sure yer good self be up to date as usual.
In yer absence I had occasion to change duties of a brace of crew (Bill&Ben) to validate snippets of information relating to ex-Cllr Spencer, I stopped pecuniary rewards fer ‘alleyway gossiping’ as they were leading me up yer proverbial garden path (by intent or accident?) but I may return them to normal duties now that thee be back on thy case.
I did take on board yer 2nd missive to Peapod, although it did read as a ‘reply’ to me yet this be me first contact fer many a month? No matter and it well noted how yer dispatch complimented me being led off course or at least in to a dry dock where Peapods planking be stripped by some ‘Legal’ shipyard. Kindly offer me felicitations to yer friends Watson and Sigmund, once again the game afoot.
Regards, Ahab.

my apologies - my fine Captn, a carrier pigeon arrived with the question in its care.
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As I noticed a little seaweed in its claw I assumed it came from the Peapod.
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Not often am I lead astray like that - theres more to this than one can assume.
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I now realize that the seaweed sprig was "a plant".

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One needs to keep all his senses tuned in this little adventure of sorts?

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Its a jolly time we be hav'in in its execution? Keep a keen watch out for badly shaped shallows that not be true!
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~SH&W&Sigmund~

I think it's interesting that in a debate about whether the surf reef works or not, not a single person has talked about the actual wave and how it breaks on the reef, which surely is how you determine whether the reef works. How do you know that it doesn't work? How many of you have surfed it? If you have never surfed it you must be relying on others experiences to make your mind up. Well here is another persons experience of the reef, mine. And these are undisputable FACTS. I regularly surf the reef and it is definately NOT a failure. It has easily doubled the amount of days I've surfed since it was built and in my 15 years of surfing the local area I've had the best surfs I've EVER had in the bournemouth area...within it's first year of completion. My opinion is not 'Isolated' and 'unrepresentative' as I have been told by one member of the task force, who are not listening to the people who actually use and enjoy the reef. And anybody looking for proof of whether the reef works or not I urge you to visit:
http://www.facebook.
com/#!/group.php?gid
=136933823008480&ref
=ts
and look at the photos (negative comments will be deleted). If anybody can show me a better picture of a wave breaking in bournemouth in the last 50 years I'd love to see it.

I completely agree with MarkCribb.

I think it's embarrasing to live in an area where such an innovative idea has been met with such hostility.

I've lived near Boscombe all my life, it used to be crap, now it's great. Why are you all whinging!!!!!!!!!!!!
!

Ahoy ‘Paul Humber’
Stamp me ivory sir, is has taken thee a full 4wks fer ye to repeat yerself, yet again trying convince thy Brethren there be surfing on ‘Weights Elephant’!! Ye are persistent I give ye that fair enough.
It be right pointless to state the obvious to thee that yer imagination do create ‘indisputable’ facts for YOU, but the reality be that them sandbags be a failure. As I pointed out to thee on 5th Sep 2010, after ye took ‘Rainbowkisses’ to task on her comments, I did quote from yer own newssheet……

Riding the waves for first Boscombe surf festival
10:00am Monday 22nd March 2010
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· Comments(41)
· By Stephen Bailey »


Boscombe’S first-ever surfing festival proved a popular success, although the artificial reef only produced good enough waves to be used for a handful of stages.
All four of the surfing events were done on the waves around the pier, while the £3.6m reef was used for the final stages of the body boarding competition.

Hardly a glowing endorsement is it??.
Now if ye truly be serious, arrange fer a video to be made capturing YOU either with yer friends or alone actually surfing on ‘Weights Elephant’ then I suspect thy BBC would pay thee a right pretty penny fer that film.

Your right i have repeated myself because people are still filling these discussions with un-educated, ill advised, un-accurate rubbish about whether the reef works or not.
have you looked at the photos at:
http://www.facebook.
com/topic.php?topic=
282&post=1067&uid=13
5927623111632#!/grou
p.php?gid=1369338230
08480&ref=ts

If this is not proof enough for you, we are in the process of documenting the waves on the reef. If we can get proof in the form of video evidence that good waves are breaking on the reef will everybody stop moaning about the project?????????????
? I very much look forward to proving all the whingers wrong very soon!!!!!!
p.s. I notice you are quoting from a website regarding that competition so you were obviously not there to witness it yourself. I was, the waves were tiny, on the beach and on the reef. The reef made the absolute most of what waves were on offer and some of the best bodyboarders in the country were really impressed with what they saw. The reef will not work on all tides (like every other reef on the planet) so to anybody who knows what they are talking about it is and always will be impossible to surf the reef all day long, therefore impossible to hold an entire competition of that size on the reef. I feel once again it is ill informed people listening to stories from the press who also know nothing about what they write about.

Paul Humby

I am sure that all are pleased that you enjoy the reef so much.

You obviously value it greatly and enjoy it often.

it is good to hear that it is of so much benefit to you.

have fun and take it easy!

Ahoy ‘time nor Tide’
Yer reply to Paul Humber did make me smile, the trouble be, now ye have set me crew earnestly upon a betting spree as to ‘which side of yer cheek were thy tongue when ye commented’
Regards Ahab.

Ahoy ‘Paul Humber’
Tis only fair that I offer ye a reply, after yer postulations. It were me suggestion to thee to offer video evidence of thyself a ‘surfing?’ but I do note with some humour and I quote yer good self… ”IF we can get proof in the form of a video etc” Ye do NOT say “when” does thee. Let me help ye, fer I do not seek to have thee a wandering under ‘illusions’ however many gold coins bin spent. If ‘Weights Elephant’ had performed as PROMISED then ye and me would not be exchanging opinions now and certainly tangible evidence would’ve bin sighted by now to prove you correct, alas!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ll offer ye exactly thar same opportunity as I did another ‘Weights Elephant’ surfer?. YOU prove to me that there be another natural (they being best fer yer surfing) reef that have ANYWHERE near thar configuration of ‘Weights Elephant’ on this ‘planet’ given the location of yer successful ‘Weights Elephant’ regards to tides, winds etc.
Ye be too ready to condemn me knowledge of reefs and surfing, ye also, in spite that me scribe made it perfectly clear to thee, that it were not a website me enclosure to thee were from but thy own ‘Echo’ who were in attendance a thy ‘competition’
Best ye take yerself off to thy hammock rest awhile, refresh thyself, make sure yer assumptions contain a little accuracy, perhaps dream of surfing albeit thar Cornish accent be tricky at times.