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Dover Rolls-Royce Celebrations - 6 June 2010

Dover is set to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the first non-stop return flight across the Channel by Charles Rolls, and the town’s many local connections with the iconic Rolls-Royce company, with a special centenary celebration on Sunday 6 June.

Dover District Council and Dover Town Council are organising a range of free events to mark the centenary and are welcoming this as a prestigious opportunity for the area.  The event is being generously supported by Rolls-Royce Plc.

Events lined-up by Dover District Council include:

• A display of up to 100 historic and new Rolls-Royce cars on Dover seafront, organised in partnership with the South Eastern section of the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club
• The chance to see, courtesy of Norfolk Museum service, Charles Rolls’ only surviving car, an original 8hp Panhard Levassor, which he brought to one of the UK’s earliest motor shows at Crabble Athletic Ground in 1899 
• A special exhibition at Dover Museum from June to September
• The statue of CS Rolls on Dover seafront will be refurbished and rededicated on 6 June.

A range of events is being organised by Dover Town Council, including:

• A firework display on Saturday 5 June
• A Continental Market
• A vintage car display, and a vintage bus to connect the seafront, Market Square and Western Heights.

2010 is the centenary of the first non-stop return flight across the English Channel, from Dover to Calais and back, by Charles Rolls. The internationally renowned Rolls-Royce company had many other local connections with the Dover area. Henry Royce and his engineers were based in St Margaret’s between 1913 and 1917, where they developed the first Rolls-Royce aero engines. Claude Johnson, the first Managing Director of Rolls-Royce, had a weekend house for many years in Kingsdown.  From 1908 until just after World War II, Palmer’s of Dover (later Jenkins and Pain) was one of a few select coach building companies providing bodywork for Rolls-Royce cars.

Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council said: “This is a prestigious opportunity to showcase the district.  We are delighted to be able to host these events to mark the centenary of Rolls’ historic flight, and to celebrate the many connections between Dover and the iconic Rolls-Royce company.”

The Right Worshipful the Town Mayor of Dover, Cllr Mrs Sue Jones, said: “Dover can yet again enjoy the benefits of a free event thanks to its strategic position as the place aviation pioneers chose to exhibit their bravery. Our thanks go to everyone who is supporting the event."

For more information, please see the Dover Rolls-Royce Celebrations web site.

Date: 12/03/2010
Contact:  Andy Steele
Telephone:  01304 821199
Fax:  01304 872062
Press Office Direct Line:  01304 872020
E-Mail:  pr@dover.gov.uk