Step Short Arch Construction

Standing underneath the newly constructed Step Short Memorial Arch Damian explains: "Behind me on the Leas you can see the Memorial Arch that we've built to mark the centenary of the First World War. We've built an arch on this site to remember the journeys of the men who went to fight in France and Belgium to fight on the Western Front. There were 10 million movements of service personnel through Folkestone during the First World War and many of them would have marched along the Leas behind me under the site of where the arch currently stands. We've built this arch to remember them and their journeys and the role Folkestone played in those journeys and as the main port of embarkation during the First World War.

"In this film you can see the arch being assembled on site, though as you can see there is still more work to be done here to prepare it for the 4th August when the arch will be dedicated by Prince Harry in a special service to mark the outbreak of the First World War on the centenary day the 4th August.

"The design is a very simple catenary arch and we've chosen that deliberately because it's a sign, a symbol in architecture, that's recognised all around the world, and that recognises the fact that this site was relevant all around the world during the First World War when Folkestone was the main port of embarkation to the Western Front, and soldiers from all around the world would have been in Folkestone during the war, many of them making the journey along the Leas here down the Road of Remembrance to the ships in the harbour, the last journey they would have made leaving these islands."

To find out more please visit: www.stepshort.co.uk

Copyright 2021 Damian Collins. All rights reserved

Promoted by Stephen James for and on behalf of Damian Collins, both of Folkestone & Hythe Conservative Association both at 4 West Cliff Gardens, Folkestone, Kent CT20 1SP

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