Walking past Ella Fashion Boutique, 13 Rendezvous Street, as I do frequently I noticed that there was a lovely red silk corsett and black bussled skirt in the window which caught my eye and was very attractive.

I thought this time instead of just looking at the fashions in the window I would pop in for a closer look - so inside I went and Aggi was happy to let me browse the clothes rails.

What was lovely was that the rails held lots and lots of beautiful evening dresses and party frocks - it really did feel a bit like Aladins cave - and none of the dresses looked like the mass produced fashion you find in the big stores. These were all one off pieces so you could be quite sure you would be the only person wearing that particular dress.

I asked Aggi what type of person shopped there and she said it was mostly professional women who wanted clothes tailored to fit exactly right for them rather than buying off the shelf items which rarely fit well.

I asked Aggi the price of the silk corsett and skirt - expecting it to be too much for me..but surprisingly it was within my range. In fact I am booked in for a fitting for a silk corset next week, the first of two sittings, and it will then be made especially for me in time for a special event at the end of the month. And the cost of this made to measure silk corset - amazingly it will cost me no more than a nice meal out for two…so I am very happy.

Now I just need to consider if I can afford the skirt too…..hmmmm!!

http://www.ellafashionboutique.co.uk/

Ella Fashion Boutique

13 Rendesvous Street, Folkestone,

Tel: 01303 246085

Opening times: Mondays appmnts only, Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 3pm.

Each person is unique with different body shapes, sizes and personalities. Your clothing should be individualised to suit you. What we offer is: fashion, design, dressmaking, clothes copying, personal styling, bridal dress making and alterations and colour consultations.

If determination and passion guaranteed success then I have no doubt that The Sandgate Trading Co will be a resounding retail triumph. Its proprietor, Nikki Wilson, has been planning the venture since she and her husband Paul returned to Sandgate two years ago and she has found inspiration in the seaside village they love.

From her workroom at the back, Nikki crafts and fashions most of the items she sells in the shop from serendipitous finds on the beach and surrounding woodlands. Others she buys in but their eco credentials are scrutinised and wherever possible she buys from British sources. All are displayed in two rooms whose interior design reflects the creative nature of the owner.

Whether it’s a long planned anniversary or a last minute panic, The Sandgate Trading Co will probably have the answer. Arts and craft, furniture, lotions and potions, candles, jewellery and retro vintage items can all be found in this veritable haven by the sea. The greetings cards are made from sustainable sources and her fascinating carrier bags have been constructed from recycled newspapers.

“I first tested the demand for my products at the twice monthly Farmers’ Market held at the Chichester Memorial Hall” said Nikki, “and the result convinced me that there was a need for such a shop in Sandgate”. I asked Nikki how will she know if her hopes and aspirations are realised and she replied, “It will be when The Sandgate Trading Co becomes a relevant part of the Sandgate community”. You can’t ask for more than that, can you?

Review by David Cowell

The Sandgate Trading Co can be found at 78 Sandgate High Street. Sandgate, Kent CT20 3BX

Contact details:

Nikki Wilson

01303 226610

Email: wnikkiwilson@hotmail.co.uk

David Cowell

01303 257022

email: david@davidcowell.net

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If determination and passion guaranteed success then I have no doubt that The Sandgate Trading Co will be a resounding retail triumph. Its proprietor, Nikki Wilson, has been planning the venture since she and her husband Paul returned to Sandgate two years ago and she has found inspiration in the seaside village they love.

From her workroom at the back, Nikki crafts and fashions most of the items she sells in the shop from serendipitous finds on the beach and surrounding woodlands. Others she buys in but their eco credentials are scrutinised and wherever possible she buys from British sources. All are displayed in two rooms whose interior design reflects the creative nature of the owner.

Whether it’s a long planned anniversary or a last minute panic, The Sandgate Trading Co will probably have the answer. Arts and craft, furniture, lotions and potions, candles, jewellery and retro vintage items can all be found in this veritable haven by the sea. The greetings cards are made from sustainable sources and her fascinating carrier bags have been constructed from recycled newspapers.

“I first tested the demand for my products at the twice monthly Farmers’ Market held at the Chichester Memorial Hall” said Nikki, “and the result convinced me that there was a need for such a shop in Sandgate”. I asked Nikki how will she know if her hopes and aspirations are realised and she replied, “It will be when The Sandgate Trading Co becomes a relevant part of the Sandgate community”. You can’t ask for more than that, can you?

Review by David Cowell

The Sandgate Trading Co can be found at 78 Sandgate High Street. Sandgate, Kent CT20 3BX

Contact details:

Nikki Wilson

01303 226610

Email: wnikkiwilson@hotmail.co.uk

David Cowell

01303 257022

email: david@davidcowell.net

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Kent’t New Military History Shop “Still in the trenches’ opens in Folkestone Old High Steet during May and already word is spreading about this new shop and trade is beginning to build.

Walking up the Old High Street from the Harbour I came across a new business which only recently opened its doors to the public. ‘Still in the trenches’ has a significant collection of: medals, badges, trench art, helmets, uniforms, gas masks. edged weapons, de-activated firarms, inert grendades, intert ordnance, flags, books, aviation items, webbingk photos, documentation, postcards and military models for sale - in fact more than enough for anyone interested in military paraphanalia.

I popped my head into the shop where there were several people browsing through the artefacts and I stood chatting for a while to the proprietor who told me that the shop had only been opened a few weeks but already he was seeing a steady stream of people popping in to look and buy various items. Over the coming months he also intends to run some events locally for people interested in military history and paraphenalia.

With our close proximity to the coast I am sure this shop will do very well - as interest grows in the rich military history of the area especially as various local projects start to gather steam such as the Step Short project and the Shorncliffe Redoubt project which is a little further down the timeline.

www.stillinthetrenches.com

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For those that have been following the coming and then going of Moda Ceremics from the Old High Street - I am pleased to tell you that Moda Ceramics has not gone away - it has just moved - and has now re-opened on Rendesvouz Street.

Moda specialises in selling designer jewelery and fashion accessories. They also offer a large selection of selected gifts ranging from handmade soap and ceramics to locally-produced jam, honey and chocolate. The new premises is light and bright and very welcoming - it is hard to resist browsing.

11, Rendezvous St, Folkestone, Kent CT20 1EY

Tel: 01303 241311

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Speculation is growing about a celebrity chef opening a fish restaurant in the harbour. A Facebook user announced to his Facebook friends that Marco Pierre White was in Folkestone on Wednesday checking out premises at the harbour. He was also seen in the area later in the week.

Keith Holland from Googies Art Cafe (Rendezvous Street) started the conversation by saying “Marco Pierre White opening a fish restaurant in Folkestone Harbour….good or bad? Discuss”

Keiths announcement created a very interesting mixed and lively Facebook conversation with many points being put forward - including:

Sharon Manning said “This type of elite restaurant is good for the middle classes with the money but may alienate those on a lower income - we need to do more to involve these people, not alienate them more.”

Another female FaceBooker said “Good to hear this. Marco is a popular big name, it would be good for Folkestone to have a celeb chef restaurant here.”

Stewart Hollyhead said “change is inevitable if you want to regenerate an area, you can’t handpick what aspects of that change you want or don’t want. If you want a fast train to London and a theatre then you are probably going to get a MPW opening a restaurant in replacement of a rundown bar. Just speaking as someone who has lived through three regenerations. I live in the harbour area and its quite empty all the time and could welcome a boost of visitors by a new restaurant. This is a great thing to happen, and will bring more people to the harbour area - hopefully will bring more big names to the area too.”

Sharron responded again with “gentrification is not always a positive thing it has made Whitstable Camden on sea and made the sense of disadvantage and alienatation worse for those who were already struggling while the middle classes embraced expensive coffee, art and deli culture and their London bretherin paying silly price for property….Folkestone struggles already with this problem I would like to see us creating local employment and projects …”

Steve Thompson said “Bringing more affluent people into town benefits those at the lower end of the social ladder we need an influx of disposable income to help kick start the regen program. Having a signature restaurant in the harbour will attract mid market places to the area too. Keeping it as it is will only lead to a further downward spiral. This is a good thing.”

Jason Martin who joined the conversation said:

“Why do people always think we should have one or the other…..I agree with Stewart….let’s have both…..Folkestone’s diversity is part of its charm, and we need facilities and infrastructure that meets the needs of everyone. One thing we should all agree on is that Folkestone requires more disposable income being spent locally, and from the sound of things there are a lot of social entrepreneurs that should be setting up things where they can spend it. Call in for advice!!”

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