Article by Katie Feehan, James Fielding, James Robinson and James Tapsfield for MailOnline - published 29 January 2021 Priti Patel has tonight slammed the behaviour of migrants being held at a former army barracks, amid reports that a 100-strong group started a riot, torched buildings and threatened staff at the temporary asylum seeker site. The […]
Article by Ruth Ovens for KentLive - published 29 January 2021 Folkestone and Hythe MP Damian Collins says there's 'no excuse' for what happened at Napier Barracks following a fire that prompted a large response from the emergency services. The military site has been used to house about 400 asylum seekers since September last year, […]
Article by Sam Williams for KentOnline - published 14 December 2020 Concerns have been raised following claims eight asylum seekers have disappeared from military barracks. Around 400 people - all adult men - are currently being housed at the Napier Barracks in Folkestone, which has been transformed into a temporary dispersal facility by the Home Office. […]
This year has seen the passing of a Remembrance Sunday unlike any other since the Second World War. The COVID lockdown restrictions meant that none of the usual civic services took place but that couldn’t stop people from paying their respects to those who have sacrificed their lives in the defence of our country. The […]
Article by Sam Williams for KentOnline - published 9 October 2020 A new name - steeped in history - has been given to a former Debenhams store. A competition was launched in July to find a fitting new moniker for the now empty shop in Folkestone town centre, which has housed department stores for decades - first Bobby's and […]
Two Kent towns have been hailed as among the coolest places to live in Britain. According to new rankings published in The Times, Margate and Folkestone are both achingly cool. Margate was ranked third in the chart. The write-up said: "Dreamland — the revamped retro amusement park where Damon Albarn is curating a one-day music […]
On Friday morning last week, I visited St Eanswythe’s primary school in Folkestone, where I was given an excellent tour by the headteacher Jane Garrett, and heard about the pupils recent sporting successes. I then met with the headteacher of the Mundella primary school in Blackbull Road, Nigel Pantling, where I was shown some of […]
Shepway District Council has announced proposals to submit a bid to the government for support to create a new ‘garden town’ on the land surrounding Otterpool Park Farm, close to the south side of junction 11 of the M20. The council has my full support in its decision to launch this debate, but it is […]
We have many choices in life, but one thing we have very little say on is when we become ill or need medical assistance. That is why in our manifesto at the last general election, and in my leaflets in Folkestone and Hythe, we pledged to deliver a 7 day a week NHS, so that […]
I have commissioned a short film to showcase the recently reopened Harbour Arm in Folkestone. It is a fantastic new public space where people from the town love to come and spend time, eat amazing local food and enjoy live entertainment. It is a great symbol of Folkestone's rebirth and continued regeneration and a glimpse into the […]