Friends of Folkestone Museum
A friendly, voluntary, museum group of folk giving support, assistance and fundraising activities in the interests of Folkestone Museum.
Friends of Folkestone Museum News & Events
Events & outings planned throughout 2019
Further local talks on Folkestone History include many subjects by: Jon O'Connor, Brian Oxley, Paul Allen, Hilary Tolputt, Malcolm Allen, Andrei Ostalski, Andy Thomas-Emans and more. Outings and Walks: William Harvey Walk by Eamonn Rooney. Kent Mining Museun visit. Saltwood Castle visit. Friends of Folkestone Museum 2018 Annual Report - click here
AGM Friends of Folkestone Museum
The Annual General Meeting of Friends of Folkestone Museum took place 12th January 2019 for all members. It was held in the Education Room of Folkestone Museum. Chair Angela Conyers opening address and report and accounts accompanied by a Powerpoint presentation. Address by Museum Manager Jennifer Buchman. 2019 Committee elections. Refreshments, tea and coffee.
Dr Paul Rennie: A talk on Seaside Therapies
For most of history the seaside has, at least in Britain, been more-or-less deserted. It was only in the 18C that coastal towns began to develop as therapeutic resorts. The activities associated with well-being were quickly extended beyond sea-bathing and resorts began to develop a range of complementary activities based around sunshine, fresh air, exercise, food and fun. Dr Paul Rennie described the historical development of these complementary therapies in relation to the British seaside resort.
Friends visit to Chartham Vineyard, near Canterbury.
Friends of Folkestone Museum members visited an arranged outing to Chartham Vineyard. Included was a talk and presentation, then a walk and talk of the vineyard and its historical farm buildings. Plus, a wine tasting of award winning wines. Afterwards purchases of the wines were made in the Vineyard shop Thereafter, the merry members decided a cream tea would be nice at the nearby Badgers Hill Farm & Cidery.
Andy Thomas-Emans: Folkestone after the Armistice
It was a very interesting talk and Powerpoint presentation showing rare photographs etc by Andy Thomas-Emans. Period after WW1 and the Armistice 1918-20: Supporting the Occupation, moving on the wounded and quelling a mutiny.
Ian Gordon: A post-war childhood. Growing up in Folkestone in the 1950s
The Lido, the Boating Lake, the Rock Shop, Woolworths, Bobby & Co, deckchairs, 5amp bakelite plugs, black & white TV, milk bottles, paraffin heaters, Dansette record player, washing mangle a Hoover vacuum cleaner, Grundig tape recorder, Spangles,Green Shield Stamps... memories are made of these.
Friends visit to Dover Museum
Friends of Folkestone Museum members visited an arranged outing to Dover Museum. A talk was given on the famous Bronze Age Boat in the acclaimed Bronze Age Gallery. The wooden. prehistoric boat, was discovered in 1992 and some 3000 years old. An excellent organised social lunch and tea for members was at a nearby Dover Market Square cafe restaurant.
Eamonn Rooney: Walk & Talk of The Bayle and St Mary’s & St Eanswythe’s Church
Folkestone dates back to around AD630 and was first recorded in a charter AD699/700. St Eanswythe was an Anglo-Saxon princess who established the first nunnery and church in Folkestone. It became an important part of the first Christian kingdom in England and the Kingdom of Kent. The Bayle is the oldest surviving part of Folkestone with old houses, St Eanswythe’s School and the 14th century church.
Hilary Tolputt: A talk on Fashionable Folkestone
A well attended talk by Hilary Tolputt. Folkestone was a small fishing town until the Victorian period when it became a fashionable destination for high society. This was due to the influence of the
Radnor family, and later the patronage of King Edward VII who famously frequented Folkestone with his mistress Alice Keppel in the early 1900s.
Visit by Friends of Tunbridge Wells Museum
We welcomed the arrival at Folkestone Museum of Friends of Tunbridge Wells Museum. Tea & coffee was served. A talk on the history of Folkestone and an introduction to the Museum with a Tour by Museum staff. After lunch, a walking tour was given - with a choice of two 1 hour walking tours.
Phil Hadland: Fossils of Folkestone
Discovering Folkestone’s geological secrets with palaeontologist Phil Hadland and how recent discoveries are retelling the story of the Town’s prehistoric past. Participants had the chance to handle local fossils not normally on display and to ask questions. Signed copies of Phil’s new book Fossils of Folkestone on sale in the Museum shop.
Eamonn Rooney: Walk & Talk of The Leas to Church Street
An interesting walk and talk by local historian Eamonn Rooney from The Leas bandstand, via St Mary's and St Eanswythe's Churchyard to Chuch Street,Folkestone. Followed by refreshments at Folkestone Museum.
For more information visit our Facebook pages: Friends of Folkestone Museum
Assisted with Folkestone Museum Events
‘The life and legacy of Walter Tull, 1888-1918: reluctant hero’ Exhibition Preview
Folkestone's mixed heritage professional footballer and first black officer to lead in battle WW1.
‘A Good Reputation Endures Forever’ Exhibition Preview
A history of the Chinese Labour Corps in World War 1.
Fred Cuming R.A. : Exhibition – South Coast.
Cuming has exhibited widely over the past 30 years in the U.K., U.S., Ireland, and Germany. His work features in many public and private collections.
For more information visit our Facebook pages: Friends of Folkestone Museum
Membership of the Friends offers the following activities:
- A welcoming forum for those interested in Folkestone Museum and the history of the town
- Regular talks on topics relevant to the Collections
- Special invitations to exhibition previews
- Opportunities to see “behind-the-scenes”
- Regular newsletter – Museum and related cultural events
- Volunteering opportunities from the “front-of-house” to Collection care
- Fundraising – a chance to help purchase new items for the Collections or for special projects
- Tours and guided walks to places of interest around Folkestone
We should be delighted if you decide to join us. Please complete the membership form below. For further queries email:
Friends of Folkestone Museum FB
Aims
The Friends play a vital role in the life of Folkestone Museum and their contributions are greatly valued.
The support of such individuals fundamentally ensures that we continue to maintain and develop the Folkestone Collections and allows us to promote them to a wider audience.
The aims of the Friends are:
- To support the work of Folkestone Museum, its maintenance, and development
- To assist the Folkestone Museum in promoting and publicising its exhibitions and collections
- To help in raising funds for the Museum for special projects and to contribute to the cost of new acquisitions
- To provide a forum for those interested in supporting the work of the Museum
Get in touch
For Friends of Folkestone Museum Constitution PDF click here
