The work of volunteers is the backbone of every strong society and we
are fortunate locally to have so many individuals and organisations
who give up their time to help others. All of this work deserves
recognition, but it is matter for particular local pride when any
organisation from our community receives a national award. I was
delighted therefore to be invited last Friday to see the Folkestone
National Coastwatch Institution receive The Queen’s Award for
Voluntary Service. In a ceremony at the East Cliff Pavilion, the
station manager Tony Hutt received the award from the Lord Lieutenant
of Kent, Viscount De L'Isle, in front of the many local volunteers and
their families who have helped to run, support and maintain the
station.
I have previously visited the Folkestone Coastwatch station at its
stunning location near to the Martello tower sitting high above
Folkestone’s harbour and East Cliff. I also recommended it as one of
my favourite places in Folkestone in the book, ‘Everywhere means
something to someone’ published by Strange Cargo for this year’s
Triennial arts festival. From the coastwatch station on a clear day
you have a perfect panorama from the Port of Dover down to Dungeness,
which is ideal for the work of the team as the ‘eyes along the coast’.
The team of volunteers man the station between the hours of 10am and
6pm in summer, and 9am to 5pm, or sunset in the winter months. They
use their local knowledge of the sea to watch out for people who might
get themselves into difficulties, and to alert the coastguard if they
do. Their work is vital, and has undoubtedly saved lives. I would
like to offer my congratulations to them on receiving this prestigious
national award, and also to Councillor Susan Carey and Shepway
District Council who supported their nomination.
Following this service at the East Cliff I joined the volunteers who
have run the Step Short information centre, in the Hub located in Tram
Road car park in Folkestone harbour. The Step Short project marks the
role of Folkestone during the First World War when it was the main
port for servicemen to go to and from the trenches of the western
front. The exhibition in the Hub tells part of this story, and you can
also find out more about the project at their website
www.stepshort.co.uk. 17 volunteers have helped to run the Hub over the
last 6 months, and it has been calculated that over 14,000 visitors
have called in during this time. The Hub also provides other
information about attractions in the local area which are useful to
visitors and residents alike, and will remain open throughout the
winter on Fridays and Saturdays. Earlier in the day I had also
welcomed the Director of the National Army Museum, Janice Murray to
Folkestone so she could see some of the work of the Step Short
project. I believe this story should be an important part of the
national commemorations for the centenary of the First World War in
2014.
On Sunday, along with Sarah and the children we joined in the fun at
the annual Conker Bash on the Elham village triangle. Sadly my
involvement in the competition was short lived, but there was an
excellent turn out to support this fundraising event for the village.