Attendees: David Noble (Chairman), Tony Quarrington (Vice Chair) Tony Hill (Vice Chair), Marie-Helene Hunter, Felicity Trinder, Patty Key, Linda Bauer, Elizabeth Halstead, Jan McNeil, Jon O’Connor (guest speaker), Margaret Noble, Angie Chambers, Alison White, Mick Williamson, Matthew Cussens, Jenny Barraclough, Deryn Cutting, Michael Gilham, Nicky Tolson, Richard Wallace, Jo’ann File, Matthew Jones, Debby Jones, Dan Keeling, Penny Shepherd.
Apologies: Brenda Gilbert, Tony Gilbert, Pam Keeling, Linda Walker, Roland Tolputt, Belinda Walker.
Welcome and introductions: David Noble welcomed everyone to the meeting, especially new members and guest speaker, John O’Connor. The minutes of the December meeting were approved except for the reference to the electrical waste recycling project keeping a record of the amount of money raised – which should have read “number of items” (thank you, Mick Williamson).
Electrical waste recycling project
Mick Williamson announced that the project continued to prove extremely popular. Since its inception in October, more than 2000kgs of items had been donated, with many serviceable items being forwarded to local charities. Even so, more volunteers were always welcome.
Action point: Alison White to circulate the rota to encourage further take up.
Jonathan Ryan’s management of the project’s Facebook page received praise.
An article had been written for inclusion in the Town Council’s Community Magazine, again with an appeal for more volunteers.
Tony Quarrington proposed that the local media, including newspapers and radio, should be contacted and undertook, on Marie-Helene Hunter’s suggestion, to approach the editor of the Folkestone Foghorn.
Action point update: Tony has been in touch with Simon Richmond who agreed, should space allow, to include a short news item in the next edition.
Shortly after the meeting the project was a recipient of a Town Mayor’s Community Award and project members were invited to take afternoon tea at the Town Hall, on 11th March.
Folkestone library update
Jon O’Connor who, amongst his many other roles in the community, has been leading the Save Folkestone Library campaign, provided an update on the future of the Grace Hill location. He spoke initially about its recent history, notably its alleged mismanagement by Kent County Council (KCC), including several unsuccessful “repair jobs” before outlining the current position.
Following the Growth, Economic Development and Communities Cabinet Committee on 22nd January, two options were to be progressed by KCC:
- Sell or issue a long lease….and then lease back part of the building for the library – further engagement with Creative Folkestone for them to develop a proposal. The Asset of Community Value process will also be triggered to ensure any other proposals are given an opportunity to come forward; and
- Find an alternative leasehold site, including the option of moving to FOLCA – further discussions with FHDC to progress and/or KCC will look at other leasehold sites in Folkestone.
Jon stated that there was hope with the idea of each of the three floors being used for different functions, including a potential gallery space run by Creative Folkestone. The Community partnership proposal needed time to be considered.
Tony Quarrington asked what Go Folkestone members, both individually and as a group, could do to progress the campaign. John advised that this could be done by writing to KCC as part of the latest phase of consultation.
Action point: Tony Quarrington and individual members to write to KCC with objections/proposals.
Members’ Evaluation Exercise
Tony Quarrington reiterated his January announcement that, as part of an effort to both raise the profile of Go Folkestone and allow members the opportunity to be more involved in decision making, an evaluation exercise would shortly be carried out. Along with Tony Hill and Nicola Tolson, he would put together a draft questionnaire to be signed off by the Committee before forwarding to the wider membership in March.
Bus Services
Richard Wallace updated the meeting on the positive work of the two bus user groups (FHDC and Stagecoach) that he and Go Folkestone colleagues were actively involved in. Linda Bauer advised that the government was putting forward proposals for a nationally integrated transport system.
Seafront Development
Tony Quarrington outlined Go Folkestone’s evolving position on the project (broadly supportive of the early phases (B, C1, D1, E1 and F1) but more sceptical of the plans for the harbour site (G1 and H), advising the meeting of the most recent developments, notably the narrow refusal (by 5-4 with one abstention) of the latest plans by the FHDC Planning Committee and the prompt appeal by Roger De Haan’s representatives, Savill’s, reducing the number of homes from 410 to 405 and increase in commercial parking spaces from 328 to 500.
Richard Wallace remarked that De Haan still had his planning permission and was likely to have the latest plans approved. It became imperative now that GF focus on sea pollution (with Sunny Sands barely passing its latest “blue flag” recent.
This led to several impassioned statements, primarily in opposition, by attendees and an agreement that Richard should write to De Haan outlining the group’s concerns. Consideration would be given to including to allowing space in the magazine for an alternative view.
Action point: Richard Wallace to write to Roger De Haan with Go Folkestone’s concerns about the current plans and to include an article in the forthcoming edition of the magazine.
Earlscliffe Mews
Richard Wallace advised that, despite the need to preserve the adjoining trees, the block of six flats behind Earlscliffe School would likely still go ahead. There was still scope, however, for individual members to comment on the live planning application.
Princess Royal
Having previously utilised its good relationship with the De Haan organisation to elicit an agreement to regenerate the former public house, concern was expressed about the prolonged deterioration in the building.
Tony Hill argued that this might be an opportunity for Go Folkestone to collaborate with the New Folkestone Society to accelerate action on the site. This might be used as leverage for a less critical approach towards the greater harbour plans.
FOLCA
There appeared to be little progress on the future of the building. Moreover, Jan McNeil expressed concern that, with two boards missing from the front, it was being allowed to deteriorate.
Leas Lift
Tony Quarrington announced that there was a meeting in the Grand Burstin on 24th February at 6pm when the Leas Lift team would bring attendees up to date with progress. Those interested needed to register their attendance on “Eventbrite”.
Update: At the above meeting the Leas Lift Chief Executive announced that the lift should reopen by Spring 2026.
Sports Centre
We were also still awaiting details on the successful bid for the sports centre. Rumours were rife about its future use but nothing concrete (no pun intended).
Leas Pavilion
Tony Quarrington reported that the Friends of the Leas Pavilion had told him that Ant Napi would recommence building in late February, with the anticipated completion time set at twenty-two months.
Wilko
It appears that the owner of the Petticoat Lane Emporium in Ramsgate, which accommodates 250 small traders, is scheduled to open similar premises in the empty store.
Rendezvous Street
Work was continuing to create six new retail units on the former Oriental Buffet site.
Victoria Pier
Tony Hill reported that he had collaborated with local historian, Martin Easdown, on a new book about the former pier, to include the recovery of the foundation stone, which was scheduled for publication that month.
Leas Balcony
Richard Wallace stated that the estimate for the information on the lighthouse had been received and would cost £600. He proposed to ask FHDC to contribute half towards it.
Road of Remembrance
Tony Quarrington reported that KCC had recently visited the site and stated that it would now be 2026 before it reopened. Moreover, It was planned to retain the two way traffic scheme rather than converted it into a heritage pathway as some had wished for.
2025 Calendar Update
David Noble reported that this had been the most successful year in terms of calendar sales. He was planning to convene a meeting to review its design for the future. This might lead to more individuals being involved in its production.
Tony Hill congratulated David on the outstanding success of the calendars over the past decade.
Action point: David Noble to convene a meeting to review the future design of the calendar.
Venue for future meetings
The Burlington Hotel in Earls Avenue will host the general Go Folkestone meetings from March. Given that the meeting space had been offered free of charge, Nicky Tolson argued that it was important that attendees arrive early for meetings and buy at least one drink, alcoholic or otherwise, from the Bay Tree bar.
Tony Quarrington undertook to write to the management at Wards thanking them for their support over many years and wishing them all the best for the future.
Action point update: Tony Quarrington has sent a letter to the hotel.
25th Anniversary Event (provisionally 25th July 2026)
Tony Hill advised that he had met with the Manager of the Leas Cliff Halll who has offered the venue free for the day provided it was also open to members of the public and run from 2-10pm. Several other venues were, however, also under consideration.
Any Other Business
Debby Jones advised that the next talk for the New Folkestone Society would be given by local author Jean Hatton about prison reformer, Elizabeth Fry at the Cornerstone Centre on Castle Hill Avenue at 2pm on Saturday 22nd February.
Date and time of next meeting
Nicola Tolson stated that the next meeting would be held on Wednesday 12th March at the Burlington Hotel, starting at 7pm. She would advise which room, either Radnor or Domino, would be available nearer the time.