On 4th August Folkestone showed just how much the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War means. Thousands of people turned out for the visit of Prince Harry to dedicate the Step Short memorial arch during the day, and at night thousands more were on The Leas for the torchlight procession and two minute silence to mark the moment when war was declared at 11pm, one hundred years ago. More than anything it was this great desire of our community to be part of these important commemorations that made it a day to remember. I will always remember the sight of the thousands of people holding lights on The Leas, stretching from the War memorial, through the Arch and as far seemingly as the eye could see, just before 11pm, when we marked the moment, to use Sir Edward Grey's famous phrase, that the lamps went out all over Europe. The dedication service for the Step Short arch, was also very moving, as was the wonderful reception Prince Harry received from the crowds waiting to see him in the harbour, as we completed the walk down the Road of Remembrance. The Prince was also struck too by the poignancy of walking in the footsteps of those millions of soldiers who passed through Folkestone on their way to the war.
Just over a year ago, Lord Boyce, The Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, lifted the first square of turf on The Leas to formally start the construction of the Step Short memorial arch. The event on 4th August was in active preparation from that moment, and involved a great deal of work from a large number of people. At the heart of all of that work has been the Step Short team; and I would particularly like to thank Ann Berry, Paul Emden, Geoff Tolson, Michael George, Eamonn Rooney, Mark Simmons and Nikki Emden; as well as the leaders of Shepway and Kent Councils, David Monk and Paul Carter, for all their support. For the construction of the Arch, which looked so splendid on the day in the summer sunshine, we are particularly grateful to Philip Gearing who designed it, and the team from Walkers Construction in Folkestone who worked so hard and with such passion to make sure it was ready on time. Oly Barratt, the project manager from Lend Lease, who has been a constant presence for the last twenty weeks at the site of the Arch, also worked long hours and dedicated himself well above the call of duty to make sure everything was perfect.
The 4th August commemorations also represented a huge challenge for everyone involved in their planning and organisation. I would like to thank in particular Trevor Minter, representing the Roger De Haan trust and the Lord Lieutenant of Kent's office, Brigadier Chris Claydon and his team at 2 Brigade Headquarters at Shorncliffe Barracks for the participation of the armed forces, Alan Warren who organised the veterans parade, Tamasin Jarrett from Shepway Council who oversaw the logistics for the day and Rebecca McCutcheon from Folkestone Town Council who was responsible for planning the torchlight parade in the evening.