Folkestone Harbour Station under threat of demolition

[shinglma]

Have you considered contacting Private Eye? (Nooks and Corners)

Gwyn

Given Mr Hislop's interest in Great War matters that might be a very smart idea.

Mike S

[Dragon]

... and 'Piloti' appears to loathe Foster.

Gwyn

[benghazi]

John

I have recently read in one of my family history mags that a load of ww1 visitors books have been found, all with signatures and comments,including Winston Churchills. Do you now of these books?

Roger

[Charles Fair]

I have recently read in one of my family history mags that a load of ww1 visitors books have been found, all with signatures and comments,including Winston Churchills. Do you now of these books?

Roger - there is a thread on these books here - FHS visitors books. I would be very interested to see the reference - do you know which mag it was? We have been trying to get some publicity in the magazines.

Gwyn - thanks for idea re Private Eye. The Rotten Boroughs Column is also very pertinent given the way in which KCC are trying to close Folkestone's Museum without public consultation.

Neil - thanks for your kind offer, I will PM/email you.

[shinglma]

Charles

I've only just noticed this thread but would like to express my appreciation for what you are doing re. Folkestone Harbour Station. I think it is important that this heritage site is preserved.

At least two of my relatives passed through Folkestone on their way to war; my great-uncle with 8/KRRC and my grandfather with 135 SB RGA. I suspect that both might be horrified by its delapidated state today.

I look forward to your piece in the WFA bulletin.

If there is anything I can do to help please let me know.

Kind regards

Mike S

PS I have a photo of 135 SB on what looks like a dockside. I suspect it might be Boulogne rather than Folkestone (the history of the 135 does not clarify) but I'm happy to share it with you if its of use.

[Neil Clark]

Charles,

I have just been given a copy of the Hythe Herald which has very recent story on the work you have done to protect this important historic relic. I live very close to Folkestone and have a lot of spare time on my hands at the moment. If ever you want me to make up numbers just email me and I will be delighted to lend a hand doing whatever...

Alas it looks as though "Money Talks" and the local authority seem quite happy to see the whole thing disappear for good! Quite shocking but not entirely surprising to me personally...

Neil

[Neil Clark]

Charles,

I tried to send you this (in response to your email) but your message box is full -

________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________

YES the offer still stands. Just send me your wording (MS Word) and the photos you want to attach and I shall put it on kentfallen. I think it's quite important and therefore I shall design a separate file on the home page. Of course I will make sure your name appears prominently.

I am glad to have been of help to you as I support what you are trying to do. I fear that the political elite in Folkestone have already decided to demolish it. Backhanders were probably passed years ago to members of the council who have been left to decide on the stations fate......Thats the kind of democracy we now live in! Besides these people don't give a toss about the White Mans history, they are too busy embarking on their loony left multi-cultural experiment!

Almost all our troops passed through this station including most of our casualties. I believe Folkestone was used to take troops to France and Dover was used to bring home the wounded and men on leave.

Don't mince your words Charles, I am happy to put up anything you wish to say.

Neil

[tom compton]

hello pals. lets try and keep this post on the boil. I have sent a email to tessa batacharia who is the senior communities editor at the daily mail .if a few more pals would like to do the same it may get them going,after all it was the mail that did the DVDs on the great war so i would think they would be interested in the fate of folkestone harbour station . tom

[Charles Fair]

Neil - thanks, I will email you via your email address on your website. Sorry about the PM, its a d**n nuisance and I have disabled it, I would rather people sent me an email instead.

Tom - thanks for contacting the Mail. I have been trying with them too.

Quick update

I submitted an appeal to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport last Thursday 27th. I presented the additional info that has come to light in recent weeks re the vistors books and the exact location of the canteen. This is all new information that did not form part of the original listing request (originally made in May 2006). The letter was put in just before the end of the 28 day appeal period and hopefully will delay everything somewhat.

Prince Charles, Save Britains Heritage, the local MP (Michael Howard) and his likely replacement at the next election have also been contacted in the last few days.

Kent Messenger will hopefully run something this week. Their reporter was off sick today but I hope to speak to him tomorrow.

I am preparing a press release to go to all the national and weekend papers this week.

What I will also do is post a template letter in Word so that anyone can download, personalise and send to their MP.

[Dragon]

A potential problem of writing to an MP is that MPs can only help with issues that are the responsibility of Parliament or central government. Many will not be willing to respond to issues that are the business of another MP's constituency. It's worth a try, though and letters may reach sympathetic readers. Even if the MP can't or won't help, the letter will have been read by others, such as PAs and secretaries. The MP may agree to put pressure on the relevant department.

Another option open to citizens is a petition to the House of Commons. This has to be presented by an MP. The Clerk of Public Petitions (Journal Office, HoC)can advise on the format.

The role of the media is influencing the public who can then influence decision makers. The real people to target are those who make the decisions. They are the only people who can give campaigners what they want. Media publicity is good because pushes the issue into the public eye, brings about public pressure and forces decision makers to justify what they have decided or will decide.

Is it possible to consider leafleting the area, with sponsorship from local business/es? Is there a campaign website?

My own experience in campaigning has been that the public is most likely to come on board actively (not passively) when it's made easy for people to say, 'Yes, I'll do that!' Because lots of people are hesitant about writing letters, especially to MPs or media, template letters are a useful tool. So are postcards (though I personally dislike collective postcard campaigns - I prefer individual letters).

Wishing you every success with this.

Gwyn

[Dragon]

Has anyone written to Foster?

[Charles Fair]

My apologies for having gone quiet on this recently, there has been a lot going on behind the scenes locally.

The good news is that the development appears to be on hold at the moment given the current carnage in the construction industry. A developer has not so far been found for the project. One was supposed to have announced back in March, but nothing has been said.

Meanwhile an Association - The Remembrance Line - has been set up with the purpose of negotiating with Network Rail and other stakeholders. (Please click here for a Beta version of the website. It still needs some work.) We believe there is a good business case for any development in the area to incorporate the heritage.

There will be a proper launch event later in the year. Meanwhile, there will be an exhibition at the War and Peace show next week. I will post more when I have info.

[Dragon]

There are fabulous photographs on the website, Charles. Very evocative.

So at the moment, neither retail nor residential has confidence in the project. I'm pleased that buys you some time.

Gwyn

[tom compton]

Hello charles any news on the station or the book its gone very quiet . tom

[Pete1052]

Click here for a review of the book Dover and Folkestone During the Great War by Michael and Christine George.

[tom compton]

Thanks Pete .Yes i must buy that book after exmas.tom

[Guest kelal]

If you wish to help save Folkestone Harbour Station please sign the petition at:

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/folkestone/

[phil@basildon]

Seeing as this is a former railway building it might be an idea to publicise your campaign through such organs as the "Railway Magazine" and "Heritage Railway".

[chrisharley9]

Just to let you know I have signed the petition

Chris

[Keith Woodland]

Just to let you know I have signed the petition

Chris

So have I, I have seen trains on the branch and sailed from Folkestone to France and it would be a shame for it to go.

[Terry_Reeves]

Like it or not, the station is not commercially viable and has not been for a number of years, and you can't run this sort of thing based entirely on nostalgia. Tussauds ran the Royalty and Empire Exhibition at Windsor Station, a very interesting and professional undertaking, but this has now gone despite their expertise in this field.

TR

[chrisharley9]

So have I, I have seen trains on the branch and sailed from Folkestone to France and it would be a shame for it to go.

Keith

actually used it on a service train in the 1980s on a sailing from Ostend - also disembarked at the Pier end from the Paddle Steamer Waverley a few years back proceeding to my B&B via the Road of Remembrance - strange to think that I was walking in the steps of my granfather

Chris

[phil@basildon]

The line down to the terminus is under threat of closure. It is basically redundant and has been since the Channel Tunnel opened. Network Rail has plans to convert the station area into a marina, though this may be delayed by the economic downturn.

[Keith Woodland]

Keith

actually used it on a service train in the 1980s on a sailing from Ostend - also disembarked at the Pier end from the Paddle Steamer Waverley a few years back proceeding to my B&B via the Road of Remembrance - strange to think that I was walking in the steps of my granfather

Chris

I wonder if my Grandfather sailed from there, I hope he did. As for the Waverley I once had to escort a prisoner from Lundy to Ilfracombe on that grand old vessel. By arrangement with the crew he was locked below whilst I enjoyed the view. Ah the go0d old days.

[tom compton]

Hello.Its all gone very silent. Any news on the station or the book.Tom