I would love to see a Ferry like the 'Spirit of Ontario' (shown above) operating out of Ramsgate to Boulogne in a few weeks time. I can only leave you to consider how likely this is and perhaps you might wonder if our Council, MP and media should be more cautious when 'trumpeting' an issue that is so important to Thanet and Ramsgate in particular, when you have read on..
You will have to make your own mind up about the likelihood of Euroferries delivering a ferry service or whether you think it is a 'kite flying' operation that in these troubled financial times will have difficulty staying in the air.
I am not a financial expert and do not really understand what the implications are of the information I place before you. You must seek your own counsel. Anyway, it would seem that a Private Ltd Company called VER Nominees Ltd, owns 3 other Private Ltd Companies called Euroferries Holdings Ltd; Euroferries Lt and Euroferries Shipping Ltd.
The picture above shows you what looks like a block of flats in a residential area of St Albans. I can inform you that this is the registered Main Trading Address of VER Nominees Ltd. Details from searches through the internet reveal the following about VER Nominees Ltd:.
VER NOMINEES LTD
Private Ltd Company – Line of Business: Miscellaneous Business Services.
Issued Capital: I share
Director: Mr Graham Hedley of Adam Close, Cippenham, Slough SL1 9AP
Director: Mr Raymond Hedley of Kings Keep, Beaufort Close Kingston upon Thames
Surrey, KT1 2HP.
Main Trading Address: 47, Cedar Court, St Albans, Herts AL4 0DL
Registered Office: 11 Adam Close, Cippenham, Slough SL1 9AP
Ownership: Mr Graham Hedley
Accounts: 31 Mar 2006Assets at 31 Mar 2006: 0 (at time VER Nominees Ltd appeared dormant).
The picture above looks like a typical suburban close in Cippenham, Slough, with its fair share of 'white van men' living there. This is the registered office of VER Nominees Ltd who own all the 'Euroferries' Companies mentioned earlier and the home of Director of VER Nominees and Director/Company Secretary of all 3 Euroferries Companies, Mr Graham Hedley.
The picture above shows the 'nerve centre' of Euroferries Holdings Ltd, Euroferries Ltd and Euroferries Shipping Ltd. It is King's Keep in Kingston upon Thames and my contact in London tells me it appears to be a warden assisted block of flats for the elderly. I have asked him to confirm this. It is the 'Main Trading Address' and 'Registered Office' of all three companies and the address of 87 year old Mr Raymond Percival Hedley shown as a director of VER Nominees Ltd..
Details of the 3 'Euroferries' Companies through internet research are shown below and with the exception of Mr Adrian Gillan, it does seem to be a 'family firm' with Mr Hedley Snr and Mr Hedley Jnr involved.
.
===========================
EUROFERRIES HOLDINGS LTD
Private Ltd Company – Line of Business: Miscellaneous Business Services.
Issued Capital: I share
Director: VER Nominees Ltd (Mr Graham Hedley?) of Adam Close, Cippenham,
Slough SL1 9AP
Director Mr Adrian Gillan of Main Street, Sutton at Hone ,Dartford ,Kent DA4 9HB
Main Trading Address: 2 Kings Keep, Beaufort Close Kingston upon Thames
Surrey, KT1 2HP.
Registered Office: : 2 Kings Keep, Beaufort Close Kingston upon Thames
Surrey, KT1 2HP
Ownership: VER Nominees Ltd.
Accounts: 31 Jul 08
Assets as at 31 Jul 08: 0 (at the time Euroferries Holdings Ltd appeared dormant)
EUROFERRIES HOLDINGS LTD
Private Ltd Company – Line of Business: Miscellaneous Business Services.
Issued Capital: I share
Director: VER Nominees Ltd (Mr Graham Hedley?) of Adam Close, Cippenham,
Slough SL1 9AP
Director Mr Adrian Gillan of Main Street, Sutton at Hone ,Dartford ,Kent DA4 9HB
Main Trading Address: 2 Kings Keep, Beaufort Close Kingston upon Thames
Surrey, KT1 2HP.
Registered Office: : 2 Kings Keep, Beaufort Close Kingston upon Thames
Surrey, KT1 2HP
Ownership: VER Nominees Ltd.
Accounts: 31 Jul 08
Assets as at 31 Jul 08: 0 (at the time Euroferries Holdings Ltd appeared dormant)
===========================
EUROFERRIES LTD
Private Ltd Company – Line of Business: Miscellaneous Business Services.
Issued Capital: I share
Director: Mr Adrian Gillan of Main Street, Sutton at Hone ,Dartford ,Kent DA4 9HB
Director/Company Sec: VER Secretaries Ltd (Mr Graham Hedley?) of Adam Close,
Cippenham, Slough SL1 9AP
Main Trading Address: 2 Kings Keep, Beaufort Close Kingston upon Thames
Surrey, KT1 2HP.
Registered Office: : 2 Kings Keep, Beaufort Close Kingston upon Thames
Surrey, KT1 2HP
Ownership: VER Nominees Ltd.
Accounts: 31 Jan 08
Assets as at 31 Jan 08: 0 (at the time Euroferries Ltd appeared dormant)
EUROFERRIES LTD
Private Ltd Company – Line of Business: Miscellaneous Business Services.
Issued Capital: I share
Director: Mr Adrian Gillan of Main Street, Sutton at Hone ,Dartford ,Kent DA4 9HB
Director/Company Sec: VER Secretaries Ltd (Mr Graham Hedley?) of Adam Close,
Cippenham, Slough SL1 9AP
Main Trading Address: 2 Kings Keep, Beaufort Close Kingston upon Thames
Surrey, KT1 2HP.
Registered Office: : 2 Kings Keep, Beaufort Close Kingston upon Thames
Surrey, KT1 2HP
Ownership: VER Nominees Ltd.
Accounts: 31 Jan 08
Assets as at 31 Jan 08: 0 (at the time Euroferries Ltd appeared dormant)
=================================
EUROFERRIES SHIPPING LTD
Private Ltd Company – Line of Business: Miscellaneous Business Services.
Issued Capital: I share
Director: VER Nominees Ltd (Mr Graham Hedley?) of Adam Close, Cippenham,
Slough SL1 9AP
Director Mr Adrian Gillan of Main Street, Sutton at Hone ,Dartford ,Kent DA4 9HB
Main Trading Address: 2 Kings Keep, Beaufort Close Kingston upon Thames
Surrey, KT1 2HP.
Registered Office: : 2 Kings Keep, Beaufort Close Kingston upon Thames
Surrey, KT1 2HP
Ownership: VER Nominees Ltd.
Accounts: 31 Jul 08
Assets as at 31 Jul 08: 0 (at the time Euroferries Holdings Ltd appeared dormant)
EUROFERRIES SHIPPING LTD
Private Ltd Company – Line of Business: Miscellaneous Business Services.
Issued Capital: I share
Director: VER Nominees Ltd (Mr Graham Hedley?) of Adam Close, Cippenham,
Slough SL1 9AP
Director Mr Adrian Gillan of Main Street, Sutton at Hone ,Dartford ,Kent DA4 9HB
Main Trading Address: 2 Kings Keep, Beaufort Close Kingston upon Thames
Surrey, KT1 2HP.
Registered Office: : 2 Kings Keep, Beaufort Close Kingston upon Thames
Surrey, KT1 2HP
Ownership: VER Nominees Ltd.
Accounts: 31 Jul 08
Assets as at 31 Jul 08: 0 (at the time Euroferries Holdings Ltd appeared dormant)
===============================
.
In thinking back to the non-appearance at Dover in 2006 of 'The Spirit of Ontario' a source has told me that Mr Geoffrey Ede (ex Hoverspeed Chief Exec) is no longer involved as an adviser to Euroferries and has retired to the West Country where it is rumoured he now runs a pub.
In thinking back to the non-appearance at Dover in 2006 of 'The Spirit of Ontario' a source has told me that Mr Geoffrey Ede (ex Hoverspeed Chief Exec) is no longer involved as an adviser to Euroferries and has retired to the West Country where it is rumoured he now runs a pub.
Mr Adrian Gilland (a Director of all 3 Euroferries Companies) was quoted in 2006 when pressed on the operations of Euroferries said "We have a clear and well thought out strategy for this project.......and one that we are not at this stage prepared to share."
.
To make enquiries with Euroferries yourself either go to their very scant website or to save you the time, e-mail addresses are below. I don't have a clue who will answer your e-mails or where they might be located but I hope it will not be the eldery 87 year old Mr Hedley in Kingston upon Thames . (There are no telephone numbers listed)
.
Marketing - marketing@euroferries.co.uk
Enquiries - enquiries@euroferries.co.uk
Coach Operators - coaches@euroferries.co.uk
Enquiries - enquiries@euroferries.co.uk
Coach Operators - coaches@euroferries.co.uk
Good luck!
21 comments:
I suspected it might be too good to be true - the craft looks suspiciously like the one that used to run out of Dover that went bust last year - or am I mistaken?
I regret to say 03.37 that I have had to edit the one word that you included in your post that whilst it may be correct, is potentially libellous!
Anonymous said...
Long live c*****...
22 February 2009 03:37
Could I ask readers to be careful what they post in their comments. What we may hold as a private opinion is fine but unless there is evidence to support an assertion,I will have to edit it!
09.44, there is no reason yet to assume that because Euroferries were unable to get The Spirit of Ontario in 2006 that they might not be more successful in setting up a service from Ramsgate soon. I hope they manage to do it but presumably will need to have finance/backers to do it.
The Spirit of Ontario was purchased by a German company (see Who Pays The Ferryman?)and as far as I am aware did not operate out of Dover.
I do not recall the Council 'hype ing' this story up, just a local MP and the media, oh and the odd blogger
But where is the spirit of commercial immediacy ? Thanet open for business ? Ferry service. Airport. Passengers. Jobs and a future for our kids. A glowing future of national minimum wage prosperity.
There is now a blog supporting Manston expansion. Its author seems overly concerned about itinerant purveyors of ironing board covers. I wonder if his blog is a deception ploy by the anti Manston expansion group ?
Joke of the week (not raising any laughs but why should you escape it Bertie)
"I hear that Gary Glitter is investing in a self propelled ferry service out of Ramsgate. Paedolos."
well have to admit this is similar to information i found out about the company, I started digging when speed ferries from dover to bolougne went bust (nothing similar to the vesel in this pic).
As far as im aware the fast ferry cats need a special berth for loading/unloading cars and ramsgate has never had one of these types of craft for passengers. The alwarm bells started ringing.
Not to mention LD lines start up a regular ferry service to boulogne as well and thier web site has full booking details for the months ahead, euroferries web site.....erm nothing.
Would be good if another fast ferry starts up but to be honest with the euro strong against the GBP at the moment i cant see this happening. Speed ferries bought about 80% of thier fuel from the French and the euro vs sterling issue effected them a lot fuel went up by almost 50% almost over night.
well heres to eurodreamers :)
Seems to me that this smacks of someone trying to get the option on a route, and then selling it on to a third party; or in this case, someone who might actually own a ferry!
Why is it that as soon as someone shouts jobs; all sense goes out of our councillors and they bend over regardless!
CGP ( No real job details); Thanet Earth ( No jobs for Thanet people) ; Euroferrys ( Who?); Airport ( 11 flights create 300 jobs most of which exist already!).
I seem to recall Cllr. Latchford being fairly enthusiastic about the ferry potential. Dr. Ladyman was also enthusiastic in a cautious sort of way. The media was very enthusiastic but knowing some of the local press, probably merely re-producing the company's PR hand-out.
If no ferry sevice commences who is going to pay for the many days work by the Dover dredger engaged for many days enlarging the man made mud hole known as the ferry terminal,us?.
Stargazer.
19.49, I am glad to hear that the sediment is still being stirred at Ramsgate Harbour. There is that new beach re-appearing again on the other entrance.
Hopefully all this mucking around will see a ferry docked soon. My 'Mole' at TDC tells me that Euroferries chaps were down at Ramsgate Harbour today with TDC. Now that 'Mauwice' has become all nautical, I am sure he welcomes the opportunity to talk boats with anyone.
And the domain ownership?
Introduces a new addres to check, at least. I also note the use of a "coin-slot" domain registrar - that doesn't necessarily suggest amateur setup but the way the euroferries website re-sizes my browser window *does*! :-)
Domain name:
euroferries.co.uk
Registrant:
euroferries
Registrant type:
Unknown
Registrant's address:
1f St Mary's Court, La Rue Piette
Castel
Guernsey CI
GY5 7AA
GB
Registrar:
GX Networks Ltd t/a 123-Reg.co.uk [Tag = 123-REG]
URL: http://www.123-reg.co.uk
That's interesting 8.56! I am not into the technical stuff but clearly there is more behind this Euroferries than meets the eye. A name of a businessman in Guernsey, crossed my radar from a contact at the week-end; didn't think much of it at the time but does any-one know of a Mr Robert Morn/Mourne/Morne?(my contact could not confirm the spelling?)
To 19.49 and Bertie, just to let you know chaps, the Derdger 'Admiral Day' that you can all see working constantly in the port at them moment is urnder contract for the wind farm project, this actually has nothing to do with Ramsgate New Port or Eurodreamers. so dont be fooled by these silly rumours running wild!!
Toodle Pip Chaps!!
Thanks for that, 19.30.
Would I be right in assuming that both basins at Ramsgate are full of sediment and that TDC, or more specifically 'Woger' has responsibility for the harbour? So until silt is removed neither Wind Farm or Ferry can gain safe access to berth?
Erm well yes and no Bertie, at the moment in time it is actually physically impossible ofr the windfarm ships to even get anywhere near to their berth because there is soo little water, as for the ferries, well its is possible, but as TEF Larkspur found out not so long ago, if the the wind catches them whilst trying to berth on number 2 berth, then they end up stuck on the sand bank and have to wait untill the tide has come up and the winds have eased. Im not 100% sure but i do believe the dredger is only working for the windfarm and that TDC have managed to wrangle free dredging out of them...if this is true i would not be suprised at all :o)
Bertie this is correct. Its time for TDC to act and get a dredger in.
A week serious dredging and there are safe again for a couple of years.
LD lines had a meeting today with TDC, more info to follow later...
The LD lines contacts failed as Euroferries pushed themselfs in.
Euroferries also intend to start up a service between Ramsgate and the port of Flushing.
More to follow later.
I heard a rumour the vessel was to be Incat 51, formerly the Bonanza Express. The vessel was operated by Fred Olsen in the Tenerife area. If the vessel was being hired from another operator, it would possibly come with a crew.
Thanks 07.37. I have put up what I know, on a posting of 6 March - "Roll on The Bonanza Express"
Robert M involved in failed startup before. No money. Ede likewise, Adrian Gillan likewise. Bonanza express will fit the berth. Remember Holyman to Oostende, same Incat craft only smaller.
All ideas and no money. Vessel mentioned has no stern ramps so unable to load discharge cars!
major alteration required. Fred Olsen owns the boat but wont let it go until money up front!
Ramsgate to Boulogne a no go financially. Only ramsgate as dover harbour would not even entertain talks with euroferries as not a serious company with a credit rating (last checked a massive $500) not worthy of a boot fair stall!
in todays local newpaper it says that euroferries will star running from 14th november i find this impossible seeing as none of the work that needs to be done at the port of ramsgate has been done ie there are no berthing facillities for the boat the terminals are not ready there are no xray machines installed infact the terminal itself is in such a bad state of repair it will take months for the port to be ready if it ever gets ready
Thanet Strife
Thank you for the publicity for the leading fast ferry operator on the Channel.
Us folks here in Boulogne are all ready for the big off. Monday morning (yes, 1 March 2010... remember, the big day).
The timetable is published and Euroferries is ready to confound all you doubters and wow the world.
Commercial considerations mean that we have had to keep the name of our craft confidential, but get yourselves down to Ramsgate first thing Monday to greet our maiden voyage. The ship leaves Boulogne at 7.30 am Monday. And into Ramsgate at 7.45 am-ish. Free croissants for all who turn up for the party.
Post a Comment