A Dover historian has spoken out over claims she was ignored by the chairman of the Port and Community Forum.

Lorraine Sencicle, of Danes Court, who has published two books and a series of historical articles on her website www.doverhistorian.com, offered help for the Bluebird Heritage Trail initiative last year and wrote to forum chairman Derek Leach.

She said there was a lack of communication and any correspondence she did receive was “surly” leading her to believe the forum and Dover Harbour Board were operating on an “in crowd” basis.

Mr Leach, also chairman of the Dover Society, denied he ignored Mrs Sencicle.

She said: “Eventually I went through Dover Harbour Board’s publicity department and they contacted the chairman.

“His response was a hastily convened talk to the Dover Society’s April meeting.

“It was made clear the entire historic trail project except the financing was done and dusted.

“I received a surly email from the chairman. He informed me that I could attend the next meeting of his committee where the financing of the project would be discussed. I declined.”

Mrs Sencicle said this experience and the representation on the interview panel for the appointment of a community director showed it was the same people making all the decisions, as this panel also included Mr Leach.

She said: “Only those within the ‘in crowd’ will be considered.”

Mr Leach explained that he replied to Mrs Sencicle to explain that the research for the Bluebird Heritage Trail had already been completed. He invited her to a meeting to see if she could find a role for herself within the group but she did not attend.

He said: “If Lorraine thinks it’s an in-crowd she’s entitled to her opinion.

“For the community forum, Dover Harbour Board invited local community organisations to join it. I would say it is representative.

“Dover Harbour Board decided who should be on the appointment panel and how the process should work.”

He said the panel included community organisations, Dover District Council leader Paul Watkins, MP Charlie Elphicke, chairman of the port users group and deputy mayor of Dover Cllr Sue Jones.

“That was the panel for better or worse. It’s an experiment. This is the first process which is a trial for the permanent process.”

Dover Harbour Board was not available to comment.