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OneFolkestone Community Concept

The next coffee afternoon will be September – 11th – OneFolkestone with Jon O’Connor. 

The OneFolkestone concept was founded at the ‘Community 50/50’ event the Society held back in January.  Since then, Jon has been hard at work developing the concept as a community partnership approach to regeneration.  With local government reorganisation imminent, it will be important for outgoing and incoming councils to be working with local communities.

Come and learn more about the concept and how it has evolved over a free tea or coffee from 3-5pm.

A guided tour by Friends of Folkestone Old Cemetery.

ABOUT THE TOUR

With so many Folkestone residents laid to rest in the cemetery, there are naturally many stories to be uncovered.  Join us to have a stroll around the cemetery to hear some of these stories, find some well-known local names and see the flora and fauna.

After the tour, we will head over the road to Folkestone Bowls Centre for Afternoon Tea at 4pm.  Should the weather be inclement, we will have an indoor talk in the Bowls Centre in place of the tour.

ONLINE BOOKING ESSENTIAL!  Please book by 20 July to secure your place.

For more details, see the event page

Saturday 28th June 2pm for 2:30 start. Location: The Masonic Centre, Grace Hill.

Please notice the change of venue and the Masonic Centre is not wheelchair accessible. See poster and events page for more details.

For more details, see the event page

Thursday 12 Jun 3-5pm at the Community Room on the Bayle

For more details, see the event page

Saturday 31st May 2025 10am at the Cornerstone Centre.

For more details, see the event page

Thursday 8 May – The Community Room, 19 The Bayle. 3-5pm (mini talk at 3.30pm) FREE ENTRY & REFRESHMENTS

For more details, see the event page

Despite a damp night, around 200 people joined Folkestone’s Town Mayor, Councillors, representatives of the Nepalese and Filipino Community and many other communities for an evening procession from outside The Grand on The Leas down to the Harbour Arm.

The new “Son et Lumiere” event was organised by the New Folkestone Society (NFS) who wish to thank everyone who contributed to making it a success including the Officers and staff of Folkestone Town Council along with Folkestone and Hythe District Council who helped promote the evening and provided advice on the planning and logistical aspects.

The NFS would also like to thank the community groups and individuals who came together to read poetry and stories, including Matthew Hahn, and past and present members of FHODS (Folkestone-Hythe Operatic and Dramatic Society), FPAC (Folkestone Performing Arts Company), Sunflower House and Write by the Sea.

Music was an important part of the event, with an amazing drummer and piper, David Simpson and Chris Bone, and Tom Klidzia playing a wonderful violin piece, specially composed for the event. Alex McNeice and members of the Showtime Choir lifted the spirits of the crowd, and everyone was supported by the expertise of Sophia and Tim at Seaview Studio and Folkestone Music Town.

Thanks also to David Harvey of Frizbee who arranged for first aid support from Folkestone Rescue, to Touchbase Care on Tontine Street for providing the minibus, to our First Aider, Rocky Ramharak, former serviceman and member of Folkestone Masons, and to the Folkestone Harbour Arm Team for their support in reserve. And last, but not least, NFS would like to thank Folkestone Taxis who provided transport for those who needed it for the procession.

The New Folkestone Society was delighted to work alongside Shorncliffe Trust who provided the lanterns and we acknowledge the continual work they undertake in promoting the historic relevance of Shorncliffe and Folkestone Harbour. The Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Company also provided huge support, and we value the access we have to such a historic and beautifully restored harbour arm and station platform which played a central role in the history of Folkestone in WWI.

We all carried the spirits of the men and women (the lanterns) from The Leas to The Harbour Arm at our first Folkestone Son et Lumière in 2024. The New Folkestone Society is planning to repeat the event again in 2025, working again with the Harbour Arm team, to include a return of the popular Walking with Ghosts experience.  If you are interested in getting involved in organising this event, would like to provide feedback or are interested in becoming a member of NFS, then please get in touch through our website: www.newfolkestonesociety.org.uk