The life of our coastal communities comes from the sea. People have been fishing for food off the Kent coast for thousands of years and will still be doing so long after we have all gone. Our fishing businesses are not just part of our local economy, but are at its heart. Last Saturday I was delighted to accept the invitation from Terry Noakes of Folkestone Trawlers, to present the prizes for the trawler race, off of Folkestone harbour. It was great to see this race return after an absence of eight years. The annual trawler race had been a fixture in Folkestone's summer season, going back for many years. I hope this year's race will revive that tradition. The trawler race and fun day at the Stade in Folkestone was organised by the fishing community in partnership with Folkestone Festivals, Town Centre Management, Coastwatch, the Creative Foundation and Folkestone Town Council. It was not only successful in attracting crowds out to the harbour, but also in connecting people to the life and work of our local fishing fleet.
This has been an important year for all of the fishing businesses around Hythe bay; from Folkestone to Dungeness. I was able to support our local industry in our campaign to keep the bay open for commercial fishing, and prevent the introduction of a marine conservation zone, which could have stopped it. We all support the principles for marine conservation, and not least the fishermen who rely on a ready supply of healthy fish for their livelihood. However, the introduction of arbitrary restrictions on fishing, without any scientific case to support additional conservation measures was not acceptable. I am pleased that a new scheme is being planned which will give the local industry more control of the future management of our coastal waters. We will also remain vigilant should any proposals come forward in the future, which could jeopardise the future of our local fisheries.
If last Saturday's trawler race reminded us of the importance of the sea as a source of food and trade, this coming Monday we remember that the Channel has also been a frontier. On 4th August I will welcome Prince Harry to Folkestone to lead our commemorations for the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, including the dedication of the Step Short memorial arch. Standing at the site of the arch you can look across the sea to France and remember the movements of over ten million soldiers back and forth across the Channel through the port of Folkestone during the war. The trenches of the western front were less that one hundred miles from the town, and people would have been able to hear heavy artillery bombardments and large explosions. There are a number of events and exhibitions that have been organised in the town during the day, including the dedication of the arch. In the evening there will be a torchlight parade starting at 10pm from the bandstand on The Leas and concluding at 11pm, the hour when was declared 100 years before.