Boot fair on the Old Rotunda Site.

SATURDAY 18th SEPTEMBER, in support of Folkestone’s Step Short World War 1 Project

£10.00 on day (No prebooking) On site from 7am Open 8am - 3pm

I hope you may have read the two articles in the Kent Messenger Extra article recently (Martello towers plans face opposition & Bid for village green status to halt development, dated: 13th August 2010) about the proposed escarpment development. The journalist did a good job except that where it says “I have proposed that Mr Forge gives tower number six to the Sandgate Community Trust” I actually said “I have proposed that Mr Forge gives tower number six and all the rest of the land to the Sandgate Community Trust”; that way there can be no further development.

We are meeting with John Forge and English Heritage on Wednesday (18/08/10). Following that we may call a public meeting and let Sandgate decide whether they want the development and the threats for further building in the future, a deal or that we should apply for village green status and stop any development in perpetuity.

On the question of village green status I am in the process of preparing the application and I am confident that we have a significant number of evidence givers as defined by the MacAlpine case ie “that ‘significant’ is a matter of impression after analysing the evidence. What matters is that the number of people using the land is sufficient to indicate that it is in general used by the inhabitants of any locality or neighbourhood within a locality”. We have one evidence provider who started using the land for leisure purposes in 1932.

I will not subit the village green application until after Wednesday’s meeting and/or the public meeting.

Speak soon

Kind regards

David

Related articles by Zemanta

• Village veto (bbc.co.uk)
• Parish councils to be given new powers to build houses and maintain rural services (telegraph.co.uk)

A group of artists from the Folkestone Arts Collective (FAC) met at the Cabin Cafe, recently re-located to the station side of Folkestone Harbour. We began the day with an enjoyable breakfast, before making our way to the now disused and sadly dilapidated Folkestone Harbour station platform, where once the Orient Express arrived in spledour. For further information about the station: http://www.urban75.org/railway/folkestone-harbour.html

As a group of both painters and photographers, we each sought inspiration for our respective media with whatever attracted our attention. Painters set up easels on the platform and began sketching. I had decided that my camera would be my sketchbook for the morning, recording some of the details left behind, following the demise of the harbour line. I felt a hint of deja-vu, remembering clearly the holidays I spent as a boy, walking the disused Norfolk railway track around Kelling Heath, before it was brough back to life and beautifully restored by the North Norfolk Railway:
http://www.nnrailway.co.uk/

Folkestone Harbour station is still magnificent, even now despite its crumbling state of disrepair. The huge sweeping ‘S’ of the line and its platforms must have been a spectacular sight back in its golden age. Reproduced above are a few of the shots from my photo sketchbook.

The FAC are hoping to arrange further monthly Breakfast Club meetings at a variety of Kent locations. For further information please contact Roberta on:
roberta.harrold@btinternet.com

Source: http://folkestoneartists.wordpress.com/

All Shook Up

Summer 2010 Lights Up Productions in conjunction with FHODS are presenting our biggest and best ever show:   ALL  SHOOK  UP  will be at the Tower Theatre, Folkestone from Wednesday 11th August –Saturday 14th August with performances every evening at 7:30 pm and an extra Saturday matinee performance at 2:30 pm.    This hilarious 1950s comedy musical features all the hit songs from Elvis and the show guarantees that your entire family will be jumpin’ out of their blue suede shoes! It’s ‘The best retro rock show since Grease’ (NBC) and features over 25 classic Elvis songs such as Jailhouse Rock, Hound Dog, Love Me Tender, A Little Less Conversation, Blue Suede Shoes, Devil in Disguise, Heartbreak Hotel and of course All Shook Up!

The show features a live Elvis Band of 10 musicians, gospel songs, rock ‘n’ roll dancing and of course a lot of comedy! With a strictly limited run, tickets are already selling fast so call the box office now on 01303 223 925 to book your seats. Ask about our special opening night ticket price for Wednesday 11th August. For a big family night out, group discounts and concessions are also available. Call the box office for more details or book on-line at www.towertheatrefolkestone.co.uk and reserve the seats of your choice. Booking in advance is highly recommended for this sure fire hit show. Don’t miss out on this incredible production!

You can download the latest Tower News from: http://towertheatrefolkestone.co.uk/towernews/tn_aug10.pdf

Step Short is the command given to soldiers as they marched downhill to Folkestone harbour from their camps on The Leas, to embark on ships to France during WW1… for The Western Front.

It is now known as the Road of Remembrance.

Folkestone Remembers, and in 2010 new MP Damian Collins and Chairman of Step Short addressed the March from the harbour. Red and White balloons were released to commemorate the memory of troops, many of whom never returned and now rest in peace in France.

Details here http://stepshort.gofolkestone.org.uk/

http://www.colinjon.co.uk

.