Attendees: David Noble (Chairman), Tony Hill (Vice Chair) Tony Quarrington (Vice Chair) Penny Shepherd, Dan Keeling, Frank Bond, Mick Williamson, Alison White, Gudrun & Peter Bill, Belinda Walker, Richard Wallace, Jo File, Felicity Trinder, Patty Key, Linda Bauer, Elizabeth Halstead, Jan McNeil, Maggie Noble, Marie-Helene Hunter, Jenny Barraclough, Deryn Cutting, Nicky Tolson

Apologies: Rob Wilson, Dorothy Douse, Pam Keeling, Roger Bell

Tony Hill chaired the meeting on behalf of David Noble.

 Minutes of November AGM

The minutes were approved with the following comments:

  • Felicity Trinder highlighted inaccuracies which had been immediately amended but not yet distributed.
  • The talk by the Leas Lift Company CEO, Floortje Hoette, had been very well received.

Electrical Waste Recycling

  • The project was progressing extremely well, with a regular handful of volunteers, including Richard Wallace, Mick Williamson and Alison White, Eddie & Rita Lee and many others who helped setting up in all weathers on Saturdays between 10am and 2pm, and taking down the gazebo. Mick and Richard work hard at redistributing the items donated throughout the mornins.  These have been checked for workability with Sunflower House and possible sale through charity shops. SWEEEP, Kuusakoski, based in Sittingbourne, recording the weight of recycled goods.
  • Alison suggested keeping a record of the amount of money raised. Jo File added that a press release might be beneficial, which Tony Quarrington would prepare.

Action: Tony Quarrington to prepare a press release on the electrical waste recycling project

  • Penny Shepherd reminded the meeting that sharing the recycling project via their own local WhatsApp groups and social media pages would spread awareness. Moreover, Johnathan Ryan has set up a Folkestone Electrical Recycling Facebook page, and it would be appreciated if all members would Like, Follow and Share the page.

Action: All members to engage with the Facebook page and consider promoting the project on other platforms.

  • The Committee had approved the purchase of a banner at its meeting on 5 December. Richard advised that this had already been ordered.

Bus Station and Services

  • Richard reported that there were two groups looking at the future of bus services – the Shepway Bus Users’ Group, of which Elizabeth Halstead, Linda Bauer and Belinda Walker were also members and a new group which enables direct engagement with KCC and Stagecoach.
  • Richard encouraged members to forward their views on the current service via the group representatives from Go Folkestone.

Action: All members to send their views on bus services to Richard Wallace and colleagues on the Shepway Bus Users’ Group.

  • TH would like thoughts put to group about regulation of bus services since re-organization of buses. LB quoted that central government are regulating buses. Local community can influence local buses. Focus group can be influential.
  • There was a lively discussion about the impact of the removal and reorganisation of individual bus routes.
  • Penny raised concerns about the infrequency of buses to Buckland Hospital in particular.
  • Linda advised that there appeared to be more activity in the 1954 bus station building than in the recent past, which was encouraging, although concern was expressed that money spent on this might mean further diminution to bus services.
  • Linda also informed the meeting that the Government was considering its bus strategy, including a return to regulation.
  • Belinda Walker expressed frustration that there had been no response from Stagecoach yet to issues raised.

Pier Foundation Stone

  • Tony Hill and Marie-Helene Hunter had arranged a recording of the Marie Lloyd song with pianist and local singer, Katie Bradley. Tony played the song which, with its authentic late Victorian/Edwardian crackle, was very well received. It would be incorporated into the QR code beside the stone and the Go Folkestone website. Tony advised that Martin Easdown’s seminal book on British piers was being written with an update on the Foundation Stone for publication shortly.
  • It was proposed that the pianist and singer receive a calendar in lieu of their time and effort as they had not been paid.
  • Richard announced that there would also be a link in the next edition of the magazine, whilst Marie-Helene recommended that the sheet music for the song be included too.

Leas Balcony

  • Richard reported that he had now received the Viewpoint pictures in from school students. Funding had been agreed for the proposed supporting booklet. There would be a feature in the upcoming magazine.

White Lion (Cheriton)

  • Tony Hill advised that, in response to the order, the owners had virtually re-roofed the building.
  • There was speculation on what the future use of the building might be. Tony undertook to maintain a check on progress.

Action: Tony Hill to check progress on the White Lion.

Earlscliffe Mews

  • Richard reported that the planning application made by Leo Griggs had been refused, probably due to the presence of trees, and that something more acceptable would now be required if building was to go ahead.c) Princess Royal (Building dates 1864) – no change. NFS have no news either.

Princess Royal

  • Richard stated that there was no substantive news on the building, and that he was awaiting a response from the Harbour Company as to what its plans were.

FOLCA

  • There was widespread concern about the continuing absence of news on the future of the building. A number of options, including the provision of small retail shops, a food court and the relocation of district council services – as well as the now rejected medical centre – were discussed.

Library

  • Similarly, there was little news about the future of the Grace Hill building.

Sports Centre

  • Interest had been expressed by several organisations, all of which contained the intention to retain a sports centre. The council was scheduled to make a decision on the preferred bidder shortly.

Leas Pavilion

  • Following some confusion in recent months as to the future of the building work, it was now expected that it would continue in the New Year. Tony Hill reported that he had been assured that the terracotta was being preserved and would still be reinstated.

2025 Calendar

  • David announced that, despite sales being a little more difficult than in previous years, the calendar was still on course to make a profit. Felicity undertook to collect some calendars for the Holy Trinity Church.

Venue for Future Meetings

  • Nicky advised that meetings would continue to be held at Wards, at least in January and February. A decision will be made in March whether an alternative venue, potentially the Burlington Hotel, would be considered.

Any Other Business

  • David referred to an email received regarding the urinal at the bottom of the Road of Remembrance. Elizabeth had suggested it would make the town a laughing stock.  Discussion turned to the idea of a tourist train path down the road, which could incorporate the recently uncovered urinal as a feature among many. Tony Hill advised, however, that the Shepway Heart Forum had mooted a similar idea in the past and had been firmly rejected.
  • It was agreed that signage directing people away from the Road of Remembrance was grossly inadequate.

Next meeting: January 15th at Wards Hotel.   6.45 for 7.00pm start.  

This will be a social event with limited business covered.

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