The Queen's Pier Story .. .. ..

October 2006

It was good to see so many of you at our very successful Annual General Meeting last month despite the inclement weather. Your Committee thank you for your continued faith in re-electing us en bloc for a further term. We shall keep the fight for the Pier very much alive so do not give up. We are almost there! I have read both the Report of the Honorable Select Committee and the Hansard report of the debate that followed its presentation to Tynwald in June. I have to admit to being quite heartened by what I read and the amount of support shown for the Pier in this Debate. Some of it from quite unexpected quarters. Of course there was an element of political opportunism and some totally unwarranted and discourteous interjections from one particular MHK who should know better. Our Charity is strictly apolitical and we accept that not every MHK/MLC shares our commitment but there was absolutely no need for such comments and in my opinion the Member brought Tynwald into low esteem by his actions!

At the AGM it was pleasing to hear that a working Party has already been set up (Yes! ANOTHER ONE) to investigate the Pier and to report to the Council of Minsters prior to that body discussing the Pier's future in February.

During the debate it was apparent that most Members had read the report although not all appeared to fully understand it. Perhaps it is our fault for not communicating clearly. We know what is meant by "selling planks" to raise funds but sadly many of them thought it referred to selling off the scrap as souvenirs. So when your prospective candidate comes on the stomp for your vote, as he or she surely will, please take the opportunity of explaining carefully and slowly that Selling Planks is a form of sponsorship of the New material and not collecting old firewood.

You should also stress that the Pier is NOT called "Ramsey Pier" or anything like that. Our ladies name is "The Queen's Pier" and this is the only such structure in the British Isles to be so named. This is part of the international Uniqueness that makes it vital to preserve her! Her "owners", DoT on behalf of the Manx Nation, should be proud of this fact and ashamed of how they have neglected her. There is of course no need for Ramsey voters to stress this as all our members have been very supportive and you are preaching to the converted. They have all given very spirited and supportive speeches both during and after the debate and the Friends are deeply indebted to them.
So where do we go from here?

Well there is definitely a mood for change in the air and a breath of realism abroad at last. The Chief Minster has picked up the gauntlet and we wish him well. Several Senior Ministers have spoken out in favour of the Pier and we shall just have to wait and see.
The Attorney General has confirmed to me that "No Government Department is above the Law". Both the Transport Minister and Environment Minster are 'on notice' that they cannot continue in the manner of the last eleven years and of course we have an Election looming with a possibility of more new blood giving a fresh complexion to what many folk believe is a somewhat stale Tynwald.

Make your views abundantly clear to him or her.

I cannot close without expressing our thanks on your behalf to the hardworking Members of the Select Committee. Peter Karran, MHK, (Chairman) Eddie Teare, MHK and Dudley Butt, MLC. They worked hard and presented a fair and balanced report which, whilst not perfect, deserved a far better reception from Tynwald than it received. Thank you Gentlemen! You may at least take comfort that at least the Queen's Pier has been placed firmly back on Tynwald's Agenda.