The large number of local events and festivals over the summer months provide entertaining things to do, and are often a welcome distraction during the long school holidays. These events, like the Sandgate Sea Festival, the Hythe festival and the harbour festivals in Folkestone, and the Dymchurch Day of Syn, are also though a reminder of the fantastic work of local volunteers to support the community. A great many of these events are organised by the community to support local groups and organisations.
Last week, I attended the excellent fun day on The Rype organised by the Children’s Centre in Lydd. This event was supported by the local councils and the police, fire brigade and the RNLI Lifeboats. As well as promoting local organisations, it was also a great and free event for the children. Last Saturday, as Chairman of Step Short, Folkestone’s First World War centenary charity, I supported an event at our visitors centre in the harbour, to thank the many volunteers who have helped the project over the last seven years. Much of the recent focus of the work of Step Short has been on the memorial arch on The Leas, however a great deal of the work of the project has been led by the volunteers who have run the visitors centre and prepared local history exhibitions, like the excellent display of photographs and artefacts telling the story of Folkestone’s role in the First World War; this is currently on show at the Sassoon Room at the town’s library. It has also been great to see so many people visiting the memorial arch since it was opened by Prince Harry on 4th August, and some fantastic pictures of the arch that have been shared by them on the internet.
During August the Elham Historical Society has also been showing its own excellent presentation of the impact of the First World War on the village. The society has commissioned a series or boards detailing the lives of individual servicemen who are remembered on the village war memorial, and then placed these outside the house in the village where they lived. To walk through Elham and see clusters of these boards outside people’s homes really brings alive the personal impact of the losses of so many soldiers on the western front. You can find out more this project at the society’s website www.ehs.elham.co.uk.
On Monday I received the very sad news of the death of the former Mayor of Folkestone and Chairman of Shepway District Council, Councillor George Bunting. George had been a well known figure in local politics and the Conservative Party for many years, including serving as agent to both Albert Costain and Michael Howard. Until a couple of months ago he would also regularly help at my constituency surgery in Folkestone. George was a great supporter of the United Reform Church and the Folkestone School for Girls serving on their board of governors. He leaves a record of public service to Folkestone over many years and will be greatly missed by his many friends and colleagues.