A Little About Folkestone
It is generally thought that the name Folkestone is likely to originate with its original Celtic inhabitants. However, it was not until the late 7th century that the early spelling Folcanstan appears. It has been suggested that this refers to Folca's stone; another idea is that it came from a Celtic personal name, with the addition of ton, meaning place.
The origin of the name may never be certain because Folkestone’s history, as with so many towns in this part of southern England, is a jumble of invasions and counter-invasions, which probably is likely due to the fact of its proximity to the continent of Europe. This began when groups of Brythonic invaders occupied East Kent. The Romans followed, and after them the Jutes. A Norman knight once held the Barony of Folkestone, by which time the settlement had become a fishing village. That led to its entry as a part of the Cinque Ports in the thirteenth century; and with that the privilege of being a wealthy trading port.
At the start of the Tudor period it had become a town in its own right. Wars with France meant that defences had to built here; and soon plans for a Folkestone Harbour began to be made. Folkestone, like most settlements on the south coast, became involved in smuggling during the eighteenth century. At the beginning of the 1800s a harbour became a reality, but it was the coming of the railways in 1843 that proved to be the town’s future. With it came the tourist trade, and the two industries, port and seaside resort, were the making of its prosperity until changes in tourist opportunities in the mid twentieth century brought about its present somewhat depleted fortunes.
Folkestone is located where the southward edge of the North Downs, escarpment meets the sea. The cliffs here are composed of Greensand and Gault Clay, in contrast to the white cliffs at Dover further to the East. A small stream, the Pent Stream, cuts through the cliffs at this point, providing the original haven for fishermen and cross-channel boats. The cliffs are constantly under attack from the sea: the original headlands, which once protected the port, ceased to do so, and artificial protection, in the form of breakwaters and piers have been necessary since the 17th century.
The town is now built on both sides of the original valley: the West Cliff and The Bayle to the West, and the East Cliff on the other side of the stream. The Pent Stream now runs through a culvert from the fire station, at the junction of Radnor Park Road, Park Farm and Pavilion Road, until it reaches the inner harbour. Remains of a quay, dating to the 17th century, were discovered under what is now a public car park, between the Old High Street and the railway viaduct, adjacent to the current harbour. Included in the town is Cheriton, where the Channel Tunnel northern exit is located; Newington; and Peene.
The town is situated at the foot of the North Downs, offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside and the coast of France, a mere 24 miles (39 km) away. The area is a magnet for passing migrating birds and the Warren (woodlands adjoining Wear Bay) and the cliffs above are of particular interest during the spring and autumn periods.
The Folkestone Parks and Pleasure Grounds Charities are lands which were donated to the people of Folkestone for perpetual recreational use by the Earls of Radnor during the 19th century. The lands are administered by Shepway District Council, with the Cabinet members forming the Board of Trustees. Previously, the Charter Trustees were also Trustees of the Charities, but that arrangement lapsed upon the parishing of the Folkestone and Sandgate area. Negotiations are ongoing regarding the transfer of the lands to Folkestone Town Council and Sandgate Parish Council.
The Creative Foundation is a new charitable organisation which is acquiring a large number of run-down properties in the Creative Quarter of Folkestone (the oldest part of town, including the Old High Street and The Bayle), renovating them and letting them at long-term affordable rents as work-spaces for artists and creative businesses (some with living accommodation). One hundred creative individuals are already in residence and more are taking up space as the renovation work is completed. As a key element in the ongoing artistic renaissance of Folkestone, the Foundation is opening a brand new medium scale theatre, conference and music venue in the heart of the Creative Quarter. Designed by award winning practice Alison Brooks Architects, the £4m new centre, named Quarterhouse, comprises a 300 seat flexible auditorium, restaurant and bars and a range of units for creative businesses. The opening is scheduled for March 2009.
The Strange Cargo Arts Company is central to the creative quarter, and the Georges House Gallery holds frequent exhibitions by local artists. The vision is to attract people to live, work and visit, creating a vibrant and exciting environment buzzing with life and ideas, bustling with studios, shops, galleries, street art, festivals, cafes and restaurants providing a long term sustainable future for Folkestone as a centre for creativity.
The long-established Metropole Galleries, located in the one-time Metropole Hotel on the Leas, staged year round exhibitions until it closed in 2008. The inaugural Folkestone Triennial art event took place between June and September 2008 with artists such as Tracey Emin submitting work. The Folkestone Literary Festival 08 is to take place in November 2008.
In its heyday Folkestone could boast four theatres and a range of other entertainment venues, all competing to serve the thriving tourist market. Over the past half century they have one by one fallen silent, leaving just one venue remaining in the town - the magnificent former dance hall The Leas Cliff Hall - which is now leased by the local council to Live Nation as a location for large scale concerts, conferences and events.
Folkestone together with Hythe, have an amateur theatre group: the Folkestone & Hythe Operatic & Dramatic Society. They are a charitable organisation, producing and performing several different shows a year at their own venue, The Tower Theatre, located in Shorncliffe.
The Folkestone Museum has been transformed into a local history centre: the Folkestone People’s History Centre.
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