Extracts from the 6th GF AGM
Guest Speakers
Ray Johnson from Independent Insurance Services, speaking on Green Issues,
described all the initiatives in terms of energy saving and recycling which had
been taken by his company in the fight against global warming, and for which
they had won awards.
He said that Shepway District Council was making good progress and all small
steps were to be encouraged. There were possibilities for alternative energy
sources in the area and wave power was an obvious option to be explored. Cycle
paths and buses needed to be prioritised.
Following Ray Johnson’s very informative talk there was a short discussion
relating to this country’s apparent reluctance, compared with other countries,
to ban plastic bags in supermarkets. Paul Fox also pointed out that this country
produces less than 5% of the world’s carbon emissions. He believed that the real
priority should be to get countries such as China, India and the USA to see the
light.
Damian Collins from M&C Saatchi provided a very interesting insight into the
challenges posed by the marketing of any particular area in order to present it
as something exciting and different. He introduced many ideas and possibilities
for Folkestone/Shepway area, which he believed had huge potential, including a
possible description of the area as the ‘Continental Corner’ offering a new way
of life and unique quality of life. Other catch phrases might be summed up by
four ‘Cs’ – Commute – Community – Creativity – Culture.
He was aware that the description of the area as ‘Shepway’ was not altogether
popular although there were historic reasons for adopting this name. Thought
could be given to an alternative and one of his own suggestions was ‘Cinque
Ports Country’.
For the future, plans needed to be made well in advance to ensure successful
marketing of the area. Thought needed to be given now to the marketing of key
future dates which would provide potential for drawing people to the area.
Terry Begent, Go Folkestone Vice Chair, addressed the issue of the future of Go
Folkestone now that many of its original objectives had been achieved. We needed
to refocus. Terry invited those present to provide any ideas they might have. A
future meeting of members would be called early in the Spring to find the way
forward for 2008 and beyond. See article on p24.
SERPS (Shepway Economic Regeneration Group) in many ways mirrored the activities
of GF and perhaps we could become part of SERPS or feed into it. Would GF
perhaps become a body into which ideas were fed for passing on to other
organisations? Philip Carter and Ann Berry are currently on the board of
S.E.R.P.S
Another area where Go Folkestone serves the Community very well is the
‘Folkestone Youth Project’ Philip Carter, Terry Begent and Lynne Smith are all
on the Board. The GF Community Arts Group continues to act as a conduit between
the various artistic bodies and stages events for the enjoyment of all the
community.
Philip Carter stated that GF had achieved much and with all the new developments
in the area, there were still battles to be fought and there was much to be done
in terms of surveillance of activities.
Ann Berry Chair
Go Folkestone Action Group
Article from Go Folkestone Newsletter March 2008
