Attendees:  David Noble (Chairman), Maxine and Richard Ames, Linda Bauer, Angela Conyers, Deryn Cutting, Dorothy Douse, Michael Foad, Elizabeth Halstead, Tony Hill, Pam and Dan Keeling, Patty Key, Johnathan Simpson, Roland and Hilary Tolputt, Nicola Tolson, Felicity Trinder, Richard Wallace, Alison White, Mick Williamson, Jan Clark, Penny Shepherd, Tony and Brenda Gilbert, Belinda Walker, Phil and Ingrid Blades, Jan McNeill, Roger Bell, Jo File, Jim ?

Guests: Floortje Hoette, Ed Wealand,

Apologies: Yvonne Hutchcraft, Frank Bond, Tony Quarrington

Roger Joyce (not currently a member) Matthew and Debbie Jones

David Noble, Chairman Go Folkestone, opened the meeting – welcomed members and guests.

  • October Minutes approved. 
  • Chairman thanked the 2024 Committee and asked if anyone wished to stand down and whether they were happy to stand again.  Mick Williamson was proposed to join the Committee. Seconded by Pam Keeling.
  • Go Folkestone 2025 Committee
  • Chairman David Noble
  • Vice Chair Tony Hill & Tony Quarrington
  • Treasurer Celeste Foreman
  • Membership & Minutes Secretary:  Nicola Tolson
  • Communications:   Pam Keeling
  • Electrical Waste Recycling: Mick Williamson
  • Tourism: Tony Quarrington
  • Go Folkestone Magazine Editorial:  Richard Wallace & David Noble
  • Calendars: David Noble
  • Committee Marie-Helene Hunter
  • Website: Web Dandy
  • Leas Balcony update – almost at the point when the lines will be drawn up, with the advice from Roger Bell to ensure the lines point in the direction of the lighthouses that can be seen from the balcony. QR code and booklet will be underway in the early part of 2025. Chairman will sign FHDC documents to sign over artwork, but not maintenance of whole balcony.  Should things go wrong with artwork we have 28 days to take over.  Illustrator who did artwork on London and Paris Hotel to be used.  Richard Wallace
  • Foundation Stone update – has been in place near the pier abutment in Marine Walk for several months. QR code is being processed and information will be available on the Go Folkestone website.  Tony Hill
  • Electrical Waste Recycling update – an ongoing project supported by Penny Shepherd that has been taken over by and Mick Williamson has been heavily involved with every Saturday between 10am and 2pm, erecting and dismantling the gazebo, which has been necessary to keep volunteers dry.  Looking for a more permanent space.  Mick Williamson
  • Alison White has a rota as more volunteers are needed. Duties are very simple. We welcome people bringing waste items and place them in the appropriate gorilla cart of bags for recycling and hand out leaflets. Alison White
  • Finance update – given in lieu of absent Treasurer Celeste Foreman. Go Folkestone has money in the bank and gratitude was expressed to members for purchasing calendars which is the organisations main income.   Projects such as the Foundation Stone and Leas Balcony are financed by calendar sales.  Membership subs pay towards the thrice yearly magazine and postage for same.   Currently have approx. £8000 in two accounts.  Like all organisations we are keen to attract a younger group of people. Nicky Tolson
  • Patty Key spoke about litter picks held on last Friday of the month meeting at The Leas Arch on The Leas.  It is a worthwhile and rewarding task and also very social!  Patty Key
  • Penny Shepherd had recently attended a had meeting and Folkestone Lions brought along a ‘Message in a Bottle.’ This bottle contains a form giving details of medical conditions and medications being taken.  Useful if people are living alone or living with illness such as dementia, should emergency services be called, they will search fridge for this ‘bottle’ so that it travels with that person. A form of soft ‘insurance’.  Penny Shepherd
  • Library – Tony Hill spoke to officers from KCC working on cleaning gutters and gulleys. Building in reasonably good order. Tony Hill
  • Richard Wallace reported on:
    • FOLCA. Not a lot of commercial interest currently.  Bon Marche will be staying at present site.
    • Leas Pavilion – RW has spoken to operators. Viability report is good news and supports conditions of the project.  Planning permission given to WMB to develop 27 flats and building with five to go on top.
    • Cheriton Park (SAGA Call Centre) not an imminent development.

Richard Wallace

  • Go Folkestone 2025 calendars on sale £9.00 each and £8.00 to members attending AGM. Many thanks to Madeleine Vivers for once again helping with sales. David Noble
  • Chairman asked for photos for 2026 calendar as early as possible. Photos in all seasons, of Folkestone and surrounds.  Everyone carries an iPhone or smart phone, and these images are quite good enough.  Horizontal/landscape not portrait.
  • Outgoing Chairman, Richard Wallace, was thanked for 11 years’ service and his huge contribution, most of which has been towards the magazine.

David Noble

Big thanks to Wards Hotel for organising an excellent buffet.

Guest Speaker:

  • Floortje Hoette, CEO Leas Lift Company together with Ed Wealand brought members up to date with regards progress on the Leas Lift. Pam Keeling thanked both and gave each a Go Folkestone Aspects of Folkestone Calendar 2025.
  • The talk was well received, and compliments continue to come forward from those present.

Next meeting Wednesday 11th December at Wards Hotel, 6.45 for 7.00pm.  Christmas mulled wine and mince pies, courtesy Go Folkestone.

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