Folkestone Seafront

Monday, December 10th, 2012

VOTE NOW for Folkestone’s Roman Villa dig
As the result of an article in Current archaeology magazine, Folkestone: Roman villa or Iron Age oppidum? By Keith Parfitt of the Canterbury Archaeology Trust, the archaeological excavations at The

Friday, September 28th, 2012

An outline planning application has been submitted to Shepway District Council for the development of Folkestone harbour and seafront. The outline application is not a detailed planning application and provides for the building of up to 1000 houses, together with new public spaces and recreational facilities. In view of the strategic importance of the site the plans will be determined by the full council, and the outcome is expected in spring 2013.

The application reflects the culmination of some three years’ work by the leading architect practice Terry Farrell and Partners, together with a team representing the landowners, the Folkestone Harbour Company, supported by experts in a variety of specialist disciplines. This has included two full rounds of public consultation (in spring 2010 and autumn 2011) on a range of ideas and proposals, and the results have fed back into the planning process.

Further consultation on the submitted proposals will now be led by Shepway District Council as part of their determination of the application. The proposals set out the design principles and parameters within which any future planning application will need to operate and incorporate the critical factors involved, including environmental considerations, improvements to transport in the harbour and seafront area and acknowledging the heritage of the site. The plan sets the tone and establishes clear ambitions for the development of the site over the next ten to fifteen years, with the exact timetable subject to prevailing economic circumstances.

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Tuesday, August 28th, 2012

BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP OFFSHORE POWERBOAT RACING

FOLKESTONE GRAND PRIX

1^ST & 2^ND SEPTEMBER 2012

For a second successive year the seas off Folkestone Harbour and the Warren will reverberate to the sound of high powered race engines as competitors in the British Powerboat Championships hurl their craft at up to 80 mph around the orange turn buoys.

The best viewpoints will be on the East Cliff, the Sandy Beach, Coronation Parade and the Warren.

Before and after racing the boats will be craned into the dry pits, situated on South Quay and visitors of all are welcome to come and meet the drivers and get close up to the boats. Always a great photo opportunity, but remember – No Smoking in the pits.

Some boats to look out for are 2-926, the orange and white, ex-world championship winning batboat of the Jackson brothers from Hampshire and B28 ‘Pirates Cave’ driven by Sharon & Stuart Atlee from Kent, who came fourth in the 2011 World Championship.

There is also a local newcomer team of Kevin Edmondson & Annika Hawthorne from Chartham Hatch in their Phantom 16 ‘Sea Fever’.

The 3.5 mile racecourse extends from two buoys outside the Harbour to two turn marks in East Wear Bay. There will be two races on Saturday, one at 12.00 and another at 12.30 and one main race at 1 pm on Sunday, lasting about an hour.

Monday, July 2nd, 2012

At 4.30pm on the same day, Folkestone will host a very special visit from a 30ft sailing yacht called ‘Collective Spirit’. Hand-crafted from 1,200 pieces of donated wood, including fragments from the Mary Rose and Jimi Hendrix’s guitar. The project is part of a national art project to mark the Olympics. Created as a ‘floating collage of memories’, The Boat Project has been funded by theArtsCouncil England’s Artists’ Taking the Lead project as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

To welcome the boat, our local community is working together to dress the Harbour with bunting, flags and other decorations, which will remain throughout the summer.  Drop in craft flag and bunting making workshops will be taking place at the old Triennial Visitors Centre3- 7 Tontine Streetbetween 11 June and 12 July. For up to date information please like the facebook page Folkestone Hosts: The Boat Project.

If you or anyone else you know might like to take part in these preparations please contact, Diane Dever on diane@folkestonefringe.com or phone 07762 573277. Other events planned include a free taster session for canoeing and kayaking at Little Sands in theInnerHarbour- supported by the newly opened Sea Sports Centre. Lone Twin, the artist’s behind ‘The Boat Project’ will hold a free talk at Quaterhouse at 7pm the same evening. To book a free ticket for the talk call Quarterhouse on 01303 858500

The ‘Folkestone Host the Boat’ team and their partners would very much like to invite you to attend Folkestone Harbour from 3.30pm to welcome this unique craft into our town. The visit to Folkestone is part of its maiden voyage around the South East coast.

Friday, May 11th, 2012

The community group has met and the winning entry for the Folkestone Sea Sports logo has been decided. Congratulations go to Afrida Islam for her entry. Read full post and comment…

Monday, April 16th, 2012

Due to the Easter break and to ensure that all schools are able to take part we have decided to extend the ‘Folkestone Sea Sports, Design a Logo Competition’ an additional two weeks – the deadline is now Monday 30^th April and the winner will be announced the following week. We would really appreciate if you could circulate and encourage any youngsters to take part. Please see previous post for details, if you require any further information please don’t hesitate to get in touch at enquiries@folkestoneseafront.co.uk