From the Dover Express, 1 August, 2002.

ANALYSIS by SIMON FINLAY.

Save our streets call at East Cliff.

The small collection of individuals who waved placards last Friday did so when their week's work was done.

It was a good-natured display of English bolshiness by the seafront cottages, complete with hanging baskets.

East Cliff is like no place on earth, marooned between the largest and busiest passenger port in Europe and more than a stone's lob from the rest of central Dover.

The focal point for its residents is the First and Last pub, which enjoys a unique position as the only one in its immediate area.

Its landlady, Mel Perkins, is a blunt Northern Irishwoman from a village not far from the province's port, Larne. She is not happy.

"No one asked us if we wanted more asylum seekers. Of course we're suspicious - wouldn't you be?

"We keep saying it and we hope someone will listen. We're not saying we don't want any or we want less. We just don't want any more."

Mrs Perkins pulls no punches and her County Antrim accent certainly underlines her annoyance.

When her German shepherd dog, Sam, was run over at the weekend, the people of East Cliff grieved along with Mel and her husband Paul. No one could believe it.

It is that kind of place. Not so long ago, Migrant Helpline started using the cheap hotel accommodation to house asylum seekers and while that decision was hardly as welcome as a summer breeze, they have learned to live with it. Mrs Perkins makes a valid point when she says that Folkestone Road is a larger area in which to concentrate asylum seekers.

"Migrant Helpline says that they will be kept busy all day. Fair enough, what will they be doing at night? Where will they go to?

"It just doesn't seem to have been thought through. Yet we are the ones who might suffer."

In all truth, Migrant Helpline is on a hiding to nothing - damned if they do and damned if they don't.

It is very hard to imagine that the Home Office-funded charity has gone out of its way to deliberately irritate the 141 people who live there

Clearly, the situation on the Folkestone Road could not be allowed to continue, and any resolution to the problem - if you see it as one - is bound to cause conflict.

To take the 195 who may be housed in East Cliff to another town and the effect would have been exactly the same or worse.

When that point is made to the group's head of development Tony Fuller, a reasonable and personable New Zealander, he holds his hands up as if to concede it.

His responses were well prepared when a journalist from this newspaper visited the charity's headquarters on the day it exclusively broke the East Cliff story.

In fact, Migrant Helpline has been on a charm offensive - 'offensive' being the operative word, according to one East Cliff resident - of late. And there are many in the Priory and East Cliff areas who remain wary because of it. A long-suffering resident of Folkestone Road put it thus: "Don't trust 'em. On anything."

Dover and Deal MP Gwyn Prosser admits Migrant Helpline has 'not bad a good record when it comes to informing or consulting.

Which, one would suspect in the eyes of East Cliff residents, is a bit rich since Mr Prosser was informed of and consulted about their plans, but chose not to share them.

The conspiracy theorists have enjoyed an open season. One notion is that moving the asylum seekers out of a safe but beleaguered Labour area into a safe Tory area solves the problems.

The council seats up for grabs next May would be retained by Labour, and the MP can take some of the credit for sorting out a five-year problem in a Labour heartland while a Tory area picks up the problem.

It is unlikely such detailed social and demographic planning went into it.

It was more likely that three hotels were found near the dock in an area - with asylum seekers already resident - which happened to be Tory. The most vocal of the two Tory councillors.

Nigel Collor, seems content to stand on the sidelines while the residents make their point. He hopes to change Migrant Helpline's mind in some other way.

The residents can do little but hope that Migrant Helpline will relent to their wishes at the eleventh hour, but that seems unlikely.

From the Dover Express, 15 August 2002. By SIMON FINLAY.

Neighbours meet to settle fight rumours.

EAST Cliff pub landlady Mel Perkins last week called for calm in the wake of an incident at a local hotel involving asylum seekers.

Almost 50 people gathered at the "First and Last" as she read statements from police and Migrant Helpline to counter rumours spreading following a spat at "Gordon House Hotel."

Locals were already furious that they were not consulted over Home Office plans to put 50 extra newly-arrived asylum seekers in East Cliff.

Mrs Perkins told the largely good-natured meeting: “There’s absolutely no point in us losing our heads - we won’t win any arguments that way.

“We have right on our side and we’ve got to be responsible about how we go about protesting. Losing our rag won’t help.”

Four men were arrested and bailed pending further inquiries last Monday after the incident on August 4.

But rumours of a slashing and gunshots spread like wildfire around the tiny neighbourhood - sparking Mrs Perkins into calling a meeting to deliver the facts to locals in attempt to defuse tension. The group voted narrowly against picketing Dover and Deal MP Gwyn Prosser’s home and office in an effort to get him to attend a meeting with local people.

The residents resolved instead to bombard Mr Prosser with letters and queries.

Anger was expressed that letters of complaint sent to Mr Prosser -who knew of the plans to house up to 195 asylum seekers at East Cliff but did not share the news with his constituents - were given the same reply, which was identical to the one that county councillor Bill Newman brought to the first meeting after the Express broke the East Cliff story.

The press will be banned from a meeting of residents, hoteliers, police and the Migrant Helpline on Wednesday.

Hotel on the list.

THE Beaufort House Hotel may be used to house asylum seekers in emergencies, Migrant Helpline has admitted.

The hotel - once dubbed ‘the worst in Britain’ - could be used if another situation developed where there is a sudden influx of immigrants through the Port of Dover.

The helpline was forced to use every single available bed space at its processing centres in Dover, Ashford and Margate earlier this month when numbers topped 900.

Migrant Helpline’s ‘absolute crisis’ figure is 800.

Bill Hankin, who runs next door’s Cliffe Court Hotel - which will be used for asylum seekers being moved from Priory - has assured residents that he will use the hotel for ‘commercial’ business with no asylum seekers.

Head of development Tony Fuller said: “It is possible that we might use the Beaufort but it’s not in our plans to use it.

“If there was another major situation like there was a couple of weeks ago then we might use it for emergency bookings.”

He said he wouldn’t discourage the protesting residents from having a voice but insisted again that Migrant Helpline’s plans were not going to change.

He added: “Of course they should be able to express their concerns but we are not going to change or plans.”

Mr Fuller praised the latest Dover Express exclusive on the luxuries afforded to asylum cheats awaiting the boot from the UK inside the immigration removals centre.

He said: “It was a good article about the place up on the hill.”

From the Dover Express, 22 August, 2002.

ANALYSIS by SIMON FINLAY.

Meet the voice of the people

You take a volatile situation in a quiet residential corner of town, add a measure of fear for the future among the neighbours and stir in some rumours, you get a potentially dangerous cocktail. But don't worry, landlady Mel Perkins is around to keep things in hand, says SIMON FINLAY.

MEL Perkins life has always had a peripheral link with the sea and ports.

As landlady of the First And Last pub in East Cliff by the eastern docks she has become the unlikely leader of a group of residents not best pleased at the idea of 50 asylum seekers being foisted on her tiny neighbourhood.

But the link goes further back to her Northern Irish roots.

People with Irish roots are often eligible for Irish citizenship by descent.

She was born in Leeds in 1973, but her parents moved home and eventually settled in the tiny village of Ballycarry, not far from the province's biggest passenger ferry port at Larne.

"Larne is a very different place but I think I understand port people and it is probably why I feel so at home here in Dover. I love the people of this town."

She sees the redevelopment of Larne as a handy pointer to what can be done and is equally impressed by the work done in nearby Carrickfergus - which also boasts a seaside castle - to make full use of resources.

"The other weekend when the regatta was on, you could see the beginnings of a really good idea for somewhere like Dover. It is such a brilliant idea.

"If that sort of atmosphere could be extended through the whole of the summer, we'd get a lot more visitors and that would bring so much revenue to the town.

"The seafront is one of the best assets that we have and I just think that it could be used more."

Mel returned to England ten years ago and quickly found there was not the 'hassle' one might expect from life in Northern Ireland.

This is fairly typically understated shorthand that Ulstermen and women use as an extreme euphemism and something which must not be explored.

But, suffice it to say, Mel Perkins has suffered more than most.

"People say the English are reserved. In a way they are but that is true of every nationality I have ever met, so I think it is a misrepresentation.

"Go to any country in the world and you will find happy people, grumpy people and shy people. People are people."

Mel worked as a chef to Channel Tunnel workers when she first arrived and saw the Queen when at the official opening in 1994.

She married Paul at Dover register office in May 1997 and their young son Billy was Christened in Ballycarry, largely to 'go with the flow' of her parents.

She observes: "Back home you've not really arrived in the world until you've been Christened."

Paul has the rather more dubious distinction of being remembered for breaking a leg jumping up and down on the garage roof opposite the pub when England beat Argentina in the World Cup this summer.

The Dover Express billboard poster to that effect is hung on the wall with no embarrassment whatsoever.

"I love him to pieces. We've been together for nine years now and I like his sense of humour and he's got a great personality. A great all-rounder."

Circumstances have thrown Mel into the spotlight and it is one she would rather not be in.

Her characteristic bluntness may not be to everyone's taste but there is never anything other than honest opinion if it is asked for.

She pays constant tribute to Christine Shrubb and Debbie Stephenson and other 'neighbours and friends' for their support - but she treats them all as equals in the fight against the plans to house more asylum seekers in East Cliff.

In fact, many of the most vociferous in the protest hardly fit the bill of rabble-rousers they are just normal people who feel their little corner of Dover will be changed for ever.

"I don't see myself as the leader because I am not the leader. I have merely let the pub be used as a meeting-place."

But it was Mel who tried, and succeeded, in calming tensions when an incident at one of the hotels recently led to false speculation spreading like wildfire around the neighbourhood.

Yesterday morning, Mel and three other residents were due to meet Dover and Deal MP Gwyn Prosser.

"People mustn't get the wrong idea of us. We were not consulted properly and have been totally railroaded into this. We feel we don't have any alternative but to fight our corner - what else can we do?"

From the Dover Express 24 July, 2008

SINGING DUO REUNITED AFTER CHANCE MEETING

TWO crooners who performed golden oldies in pubs and clubs in Dover before losing touch, have luck to thank for their shock reunion after 13 years.

Now Graham Mart, 58, from Whitfield and Paul Quinn, 42, from East Cliff, who hooked up in 1990 to form Remember This, are to turn back the clock with a one-off gig at the "First and Last" pub in East Cliff next month.

The warblers started off covering hits from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s at Graham's now defunct pub The "York House" in Snargate Street, before performing across the region.

Mr Quinn, who works in customs clearance for J.F. Hillebrand, said: “I used to drink in Graham's pub when I was working in freight clearance. It was a real eclectic mix of people and good music. One night I got up on stage with Graham and we sang a couple of songs. It just seemed to click and some of the customers said we should get together.”

The duo entertained audiences with covers of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Ray Charles, Van Morrison and Neil Diamond and tracks from films such as the Commitments and the Blues Brothers.

Dover-born father-of-three Graham, who was first XI captain of Dover Cricket Club from 1979 to 1986, said: “We had people coming from all over the town and in the summer with the marina opposite we would get the Dutch and Germans, who would then invite us back onto their yachts.”

They drifted apart in 1995 when Paul joined soul band Souled Out. He said: “My father Bobby was a professional musician and my love had always been with soul music. Graham was really supportive.” Graham, who now works as a police community support officer supervisor, continued to sing solo, but sold his pub in 1996 and became a director with greeting cards firm Noel Tatt.

After 13 years apart they unexpectedly crossed paths again last month, when Paul saw a poster for a forthcoming gig by Graham at the "First and Last" pub and got in touch with landlord Teresa Hopkins.

He said: “I thought it had to be him, so I told Teresa that if he called she should say to him: ‘Do you remember this because I knew if it was Graham, he'd get it.”

Unfortunately Graham didn't call Teresa before his performance, but Paul popped along to see if his long-lost pal was the man advertised on the poster.

Graham was singing on stage when Paul walked through the door, but he instantly recognised him. He said: “We caught up over a few beers, it was like old times. We've had a few more drinks since.” Paul said: “I used to have hair and no glasses when we were performing and I noticed that Graham had a lot more grey hair.”

There pair were encouraged to duet again by Teresa, and are now preparing for their gig on Saturday, August 2 from 8.30pm. Graham said: “There's been a lot of people since I left the pub saying they miss it. This will be a trip down memory lane.”

From the Dover Express 11 February 2010

LANDLORD APPEALS FOR OLD PICS OF PUB

History: Neil Cairns, new landlord of the First and Last.

THE new landlord of the "First and Last" in Dover is asking people to help in his search for any old photos of the historic pub.

Neil Cairns, 24, took over the management of the Shepherd Neame bar on Monday, February 1, and intends to introduce a traditional feel for customers.

Mr Cairns said: "Dover is a town absolutely steeped in history, from the castle to the visit of Sir Winston Churchill.

"We want to better pinpoint where we fit in to that. What we would really like are photos of the "First and Last" from the last 50 years to put up, so people can appreciate them while enjoying a pint or one of our lunches.

"When people go into pubs, they like seeing images from its past. It adds character. That is what we are trying to capture here."

Mr Cairns has worked in the industry since leaving school, and was manager of "Bar 26" in Margate before taking on the new role in Dover.

From the Dover Express 1 December, 2011.

Report by Sam Inkersole

REOPENED PUB LIKELY TO PROVIDE JOBS CHEER

Above shows Danny McGhee, licensee from November, 2011.

AN HISTORIC pub in Dover that closed three months ago has reopened with a new landlord, bringing with it the prospect of six new jobs.

The "First and Last" pub in East Cliff Will be run by Irishman Danny McGhee.

The site backs on to a backpacker hostel for weary travellers who are about to cross the Channel or who have just entered the country ready for sightseeing.

Mr McGhee, 45, originally from County Monaghan in Ireland but now living in Folkestone, re-opened the pub three weeks ago and has had good business so far.

It was owned by Shepherd Neame, which still has the freehold. But Visit Journeys, which runs the hostel, now holds the lease for the pub as well.

Mr McGhee and his wife, Tanya, have invested what they say is a significant sum of money sprucing the place up and doing some essential maintenance.

Danny described the pub as the "first pub you will see when you arrive, and the last you will see when you leave."

He added: "The pub was only open sporadically, flitting between owners and wasn't really serving a purpose or boosting the local economy.

With the economy the way it is, there is a risk involved, but I am so happy to be able to provide the opportunity for employment for four full-time and two part-time staff at the pub.

"We have invested a significant amount of money so far sprucing up the pub and the hostel. There is still a little bit more to do so we don't have a final figure yet.

"It is not just about offering a service, it is offering some work to some people in an area that has traditionally struggled with the lack of jobs.

"Business has been good so far, and I am hoping it will continue for the future."

Rooms at the backpacker hostel start from £9.95.

From the Dover Express, Thursday, 17 May, 2012. 65p.

PUB IS SEEKING HOSTEL APPROVAL

DOVER: The owners of a Dover pub that provides accommodation for visitors is now seeking planning authority to allow part of the premises to be a tourist hostel.

The "First and Last" public house at 57 East Cliff has been providing a bed for visitors on the first floor since last November but now Stephen Holland of Bermondsey, London has submitted a retrospective planning application for a tourist hostel on the converted first floor.

Mr Holland, of Visits Journeys Hostels, says the hostel at the base of the cliffs is able to provide 30 beds in dormitory accommodation 24 hours a day.

From the Dover Express, 11 February, 2016.

SHEPHERD Neame denies causing “damage” to a historic Dover pub recently bought by Paul McMullan.

The "Castle Inn" owner was the highest bidder at a recent auction for The "First and Last," once called The "Albion."

But he says signs were taken off by Britain’s oldest brewer and interior damage caused.

Shepherd Neame says it acted in accordance with a contract of stated items that could be removed, including the signs.

The "First and Last" was put up for sale by the Faversham-based company at the end of last year.

Mr McMullan told the Express “beer coolers, cellar buoys, fridges, T-bars and pumps” were removed by workers hired by Shepherd Neame.

The former News of the World journalist said: “With nothing there to dispense beer with and with the place reduced to looking like a terraced dump with holes in the wall, there is little chance of custom.

“Shepherd Neame put back the First Last letters this week but they were badly scratched by their earlier removal and there was no sign, literally, of the hanging ‘yacht’ emblem.”

He added: “Not a good start to a new venture but hopefully things can only get better.”

A Shepherd Neame spokesman said: “The terms of the auction were clear to all parties.

“The contract explicitly detailed any items that would be removed from the pub, including all beer dispensing equipment and branded signs. These were removed in accordance with that contract and we refute any allegations to the contrary.”