Cardyology

Cripes! I see that there's a rumour going round that Cardy Construction, the company that has been booked to build the Royal Sands (aka Titanic) development on the Pleasurama eyesore here in Ramsgate, is in a, um, spot of bother!

This gossip, and (please note Mr Cardy's lawyers) I am definitely NOT saying there's anything in it, was probably sparked by a charge and a subsequent winding-up order that was lodged against them last month, and appears to have been disseminated via Facebook and the local blogs, and other, Broadstairs-based, print sources.

Now, whilst someone has obviously been upset enough, and had their payments delayed for long enough, to go to the trouble of trying to wind the company up, that is definitely not the same as saying the company is on the skids, or that it is about to g* b*** (asterisks there to protect the innocent). In fact it's a tactic that's often used as leverage to get a delayed payment out of a firm when relations have turned a bit sour, and doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the ongoing viability of the company. I know this, because my accountant Cyril told me.

Not only that, but according to my information, the striking off letter was suspended three days later, suggesting that the dispute was resolved pretty quickly once it had escalated to that stage.

I must say, Cardy's last set of accounts, for 2012, look pretty healthy. But then the construction industry has been going through hard times, and who knows what their next set of figures will look like. I would cough up the twelve quid for a credit report on them, but Cyril says he needs that for his bus journey home.

Meanwhile there's another meeting at Duffer HQ in Cecil Square tonight to discuss the whole Pleasurama mess. I wonder if Deputy Leader Poole The Fool will acquit himself better tonight than he did here in Ramsgate earlier this week? My guess is 'no'.

Age Concern

Ramsgate reader Ashley writes:

I visited Ramsgate town on Easter Saturday to purchase two birthday cards, one for a female relative in the north of England, and the other for an elderly male neighbour of mine who has an interest in steam locomotives.

I thought a card with a locomotive or train picture on the front would be ideal. I went into Clinton cards in the old post office building in the high street, that was a mistake. I did find a card for the female that was just suitable and for my neighbour one that was not quite what I required but would be better than nothing.

I made my choice and took the cards to the counter to pay, and to enquire if per chance I had missed the steam card or maybe they had one that was not in any of the card displays. Oh dear. I was then told in no uncertain terms, and in front of a witness that 'we do not cater for people of your age' (I am 61). The lady assistant who told me this said that she thought it was wrong and that she had told head office so, but they stick by their guns.

It would appear that people of my age are not welcome in that card shop. Strange to say I was the only customer in there at that particular time. Maybe we will soon see the shutters going up on yet another shop in Ramsgate soon.

Well Ashley, they would certainly seem to be ignoring a large proportion of their potential Ramsgate customers there. I'm surprised, as Bill and Hillary are well into their 60s themselves. Perhaps someone should open a similar outlet and call it Cardiology? That should bring the elderly and confused flocking!

On Yer Bike

Zoiks! Looks like it is too late to join the British Heart Foundation's Viking Coastal Bike Ride, which covers a 32 mile circuit of the Ile de Thanet today. I wondered what all the yellow signs and oldies in hi-vis vests were in aid of.

Still, there's nought wrong with the old Dicky ticker. And Alain is the only cardi-ologist I need. He's just knitted me a smashing purple number in mohair!

Company Cardigan

How splendid to be back in Kent's Ramsgate Peninsula! Not quite the welcome I imagined, though. No comments, and Sir Roger Wind staring up at me from the doormat at the old CTM, imploring me to fight crime by placing his sticker in my window. I'm sure his gummy smile would be enough to deter even the most hardened bogus salesman, but as far as I know he's not even my MP. No, that honour goes to Dr Steve Ladychap.

Ah well. I had a good run back from Snives in the Priapus, and while I was there Alain, my cardi-ologist, fitted me for a gorgeous, hand-loomed organic hemp number, so I'll be cutting a dash on the Croisette later (Churchills). A bientot!