- This event has passed.
Son et Lumière Remembrance Parade 2025
HISTORY
Folkestone was a key port during WWI. From 1914, over 65,000 refugees headed to the town from Belgium and millions of men and women travelled between Folkestone and France from 1916-18. More than 100,000 railway engineers kept supplies and troops moving. The railways carried millions of injured soldiers to safety. Amazingly, nobody was lost to enemy action whilst crossing the English Channel.
Unfortunately, the town also suffered the largest single incident with civilian casualties outside London during WWI when, on 25 May 1917, German Gotha bombers hit several sites, including a busy Tontine Street. 74 people died that day, with at least 96 injured.
In 1940, Folkestone received an estimated 35,000 troops and 9,000 refugees from Dunkirk. The skies above Folkestone were a hive of activity that summer and the area became known as Hellfire Corner.
ABOUT THE PARADE
Unfortunately, the Walking With Ghosts event is unable to take place again this year. In order to remember those brave people who passed through Folkestone, and mindful of wars across the globe today, the New Folkestone Society will again be hosting a free Son et Lumière remembrance parade.
Meet on The Leas outside The Grand at 5.45pm.
LANTERNS
The ‘lumière’ element of the event will be achieved through the use of battery-operated lanterns. Shorncliffe Trust have kindly lent us 150 lanterns, which will be distributed to the first 150 participants. We encourage the public to bring battery-operated tealights or lanterns (no real candles please) if they have something appropriate, as there may be a shortage! The Shorncliffe Trust lanterns will be placed on the Folkestone Harbour Station platform to create a tribute, and returned to the Trust after the event. We would suggest visitors mark their battery tealights on the base if they wish to include them, so they may be collected after the event.
We envisage the event to end at around 8.15pm.
ABOUT THE ROUTE
The procession will depart from outside The Grand at 6pm, walking along The Leas to the Leas Bandstand for poetry and letter readings, before heading to the Step Short Remembrance Arch for the Last Post. It will then head through the Sandgate Road pedestrian precinct, down the Old High Street to Folkestone Harbour Station for music and reflection, where the lanterns will be assembled to create a tribute.
We encourage anyone who becomes lost from their party to continue to the arch, where marshals will be able to assist in reuniting parties.
TIMINGS
Please note all timings are approximate:
| 5.45pm | Assemble outside The Grand |
| 6.00pm | Parade commences |
| 6.20pm | Poetry & letter readings at Leas Bandstand |
| 6.50pm | Parade continues to Step Short arch for Last Post |
| 7.20pm | Music & reflection at Folkestone Harbour Station |
ACCESSIBILITY
The route from The Grand to the Step Short Remembrance Arch is relatively flat. Please keep to the designated path.
The Old High Street is relatively steep, cobbled and uneven.
Anyone who is unable to join the procession but wishes to join us at Folkestone Harbour Station can enjoy music courtesy of the U3A Swing Band from 6.15pm.
Please wear sensible shoes and dress for the weather. Warm coats are advised, and possibly have brollies on standby!