We have just sent out our first company of the New Folkestone Community News. You can view the latest version here or sign up to receive the newletter next month here. This issue includes an update on the Harbour Development including some first survey results, progress on the ‘Save Our Library’ campaign, information on the Town Centre development plan and more…
Despite the holiday season, August has been another busy time for the New Folkestone Society.
The Committee met to discuss the Harbour Arm developments and prepared a response to the consultation on behalf of our members and the wider Folkestone community. Our survey is online at https://www.newfolkestonesociety.org.uk/harbour-plan-survey/ until mid October with nearly 900 surveys already completed.
We were able to discuss our thoughts on the Harbour Arm development with a huge number of residents and visitors at the Folkestone Airshow where the New Folkestone Society had a pop up stand for the weekend event. The Airshow was a great opportunity to meet so many people, including members and non members, and new and long standing residents, for whom Folkestone is a valued place to live. This follows our pop up stand at the Coronation Weekend in June where we focused on the Save Folkestone Library Campaign.
The New Folkestone Society continues to monitor and respond to consultations and to engage with the Folkestone, Hythe and District Council and developers in a number of plans including protection of Debenham’s Corner further to our online survey in which 87% of over 1,500 entries said ‘no’ to demolition. We place high value on this section, not only through location and contribution to the street scenery but it also matches other cherished buildings in Sandgate Road.
Do keep an eye on the New Folkestone Society website for new events and information on consultations, and in particular look our for two forthcoming talks: How Islamic Architecture Shaped Europe on 30 September and Leas Pavillion – Restoration and New Construction on 28 October.
We always welcome new members and new ideas to continue to make Folkestone a great place to live!
To meet members of the Committee, discuss any matters you would like to raise, get an update on our Folca survey and have a short discussion on why heritage matters, come to the Sunflower House Coffee Morning on Friday 21 October.
More information can be found on the event page.
We conducted a survey at the Folkestone Air Display. The survey is now available online here.
Following the survey being featured as the headline article in the 21 September issue of Folkestone & Hythe Express, we will keep it open until 30 September 2022 to enable readers to participate.
Click to take survey
New Folkestone Society is hosting Civic Day, an initiative set up by Civic Voice in 2011 to encourage people to engage in conversation about the future of their high streets and communities, with the vision of a society where everyone can say “I am proud of where I live!”
Whilst the Society’s remit is Folkestone, Cheriton and Morehall, it is aware that the future of each town has an impact on the entire district, so discussion must include people from across the district. Consequently, New Folkestone Society invited other civic and historical societies, museums, groups representing the arts and other community-minded associations to collaborate under one roof with stands to show what they are about, sell their products and hopefully get more people to participate in their activities.
The event is on Saturday 18th June from 11am-4pm in the Quarterhouse, Tontine Street, Folkestone. Admission is free. Come along to show your pride in your town or village, meet the people who run 23 organisations and find out what they do, learn more about the district’s history, see old photographs, discover new talks and events, find group activities to participate in and make your voice count on local matters. We will be serving reasonably-priced refreshments throughout the day.
Chairman Matthew Jones said: “Civic Day will have a marketplace-feel with a lively room full of discussions, including short talks in Speakers’ Corner from several key speakers. The Society really wants to hear the opinions of people from across the district on its future. We hope people will come along to celebrate their towns and villages, discover the district’s rich history and visitor attractions, and engage with us!”
The event has been made possible by the kind support of Folkestone & Hythe District Council, who provided a Free Use Day of the Quarterhouse, and the Creative Folkestone team.
