The Folkestone History Trail
As part of the local regeneration plans, Go Folkestone in
conjunction with Shepway District Council and Shepway Tourism Action Group
(STAG) are to implement a series of history trails in Shepway, beginning with a
6 point trail starting at Martello No3 on the East Cliff and including the
Harbour, the Bayle, and finishing at the west end of the Leas.
We needed a site visit to make sure that we would not be duplicating signs
already in place. There was very little signage on local history except on the
East cliff, where two signs were found, one about the Roman villa and one on the
Warren. After there was further discussion on who would do the research and what
was to be researched.
As the children of Folkestone are very aware that
regeneration of the Town is now underway we felt they might be interested in
taking part in this project. So it was decided that we would ask 6 local schools
if they would be willing to take on the research for a particular area of the
town.
The information boards would consist of a maximum of 6 items of interest within
the area they were to research. Each school would receive a credit on the
information board for participating in this project.
We have been heartened by the response to date and I was particularly happy to
receive an email from the Head Teacher of the Folkestone School for Girls
agreeing that the school take part, also for Monica Buckley Head of History and
Politics for inviting me to join her and Tina Stevenson History teacher and the
girls at the Folkestone library as they started their research.
On reaching the library and entering the heritage room I was overwhelmed by the
hive of activity and the mass of information laid out on the tables, they
certainly had got the bit between their teeth.
From there the girls went up to the Grand to hear a talk by the owner Michael
Stainer who is passionate and proud of the Grand and its history and is very
knowledgeable on a wide range of historical facts about the Town. So, we look
forward now to the information coming in from the other schools, St Peters, St
Eanswyths, Harvey Grammar, and Pent Valley. We thank you all for taking up the
baton, whilst we actively look for funding for this very interesting project.
Ann Berry, Chair Go Folkestone
Article from Go Folkestone Newsletter September 2007
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