New Folkestone Society
A Voice for the Community

ABOUT THE TALK

After an introduction, there will be a 50/50 presentation – Jon O’Connor talking about his 50 years spent working with communities and schools, and what he has learnt from this work.

This will be followed by a Q&A panel session on the topic of 2025 – challenges for our community featuring Officer and Councillor representation from Folkestone & Hythe District Council with Jon O’Connor

There will be a Yes or No or Maybe presentation from Matthew Hahn of Folkestone Performing Arts Company on Planning for partnership.

And the day wraps up with Boo!  An opportunity to (literally) give answers on a postcard.

We envisage finishing around 4.30pm.

Doors open at 1:45pm for a 2:15pm start.  Refreshments will be served.

ABOUT THE VENUE

The Back Hall is located within the Cornerstone Centre, formerly the United Reformed Church, next to Folkestone Central station.  It is located on Castle Hill Avenue, near the junction with Cheriton Road.  From the main entrance to the church, walk towards Kingsnorth Gardens and take the path behind the church, just before Bus Stop C.

The hall is on the ground floor with no stairs and has a disabled toilet.  There is a slight step into the entrance and a couple of 90 degree turns to enter.  If you have any accessibility needs, please Contact Us page on our website so we can make arrangements for you, including on-site parking.

The Old Folkestone Cemetery in Cheriton Road was opened in 1856 and has around 15,000 graves – many with double burials.  It hosts 45 Commonwealth War Graves and three Victoria Cross recipients.  There is a Cross of Sacrifice and two Grade II Listed memorials – one for the Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) and another to the crew of the German Warship SMS Grosser Kurfürst, which sank near Folkestone in 1878.

With so many laid to rest in the cemetery, there are naturally many stories to be uncovered.  Join us to hear about the people who built Folkestone and some surprising stories of other residents of the town.  Furthermore, the Friends have also surveyed the wildlife found in the cemetery and will be telling us what can be found there.