Folkestone Dispatch
@folkestonedispatch.substack.com
Stories about life in Folkestone. A weekly newsletter of independent journalism, direct to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign up now, it only takes a minute
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In this week's newsletter we speak to local businesses about the impact of the Burstin fire on the town's economy...
🔥 Harbour businesses fear impact of Burstin fire
Two arrests made as police continue to investigate hotel blaze and firefighters return to the scene
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
September 23, 2026 at 1:09 PM
In this week's newsletter we speak to local businesses about the impact of the Burstin fire on the town's economy...
This week's Dispatch leads on @fifc.bsky.social plans for the transformation of Cheriton Road...
⚽ Invicta announce ambitious stadium plans
Plus: Update on Sports Centre reopening, and plans for Noel Redding statue submitted to council
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
September 2, 2026 at 5:54 AM
This week's Dispatch leads on @fifc.bsky.social plans for the transformation of Cheriton Road...
The Dispatch will be taking on a fire walk in aid of our 2026 charity of the year South Kent Mind in October. If you could spare something for this great cause, as little as £1, it would really make a difference!
www.justgiving.com/page/folkest...
www.justgiving.com/page/folkest...
August 28, 2026 at 10:43 AM
The Dispatch will be taking on a fire walk in aid of our 2026 charity of the year South Kent Mind in October. If you could spare something for this great cause, as little as £1, it would really make a difference!
www.justgiving.com/page/folkest...
www.justgiving.com/page/folkest...
They are very flashy. And certainly not cheap. But how many of the swanky apartments at Shoreline have actually sold?
🏢 Developers reveal Shoreline sales update
Plus: Three suspects charged over alleged aggravated burglary, and long-serving landlady set to step down
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
August 26, 2026 at 2:13 PM
They are very flashy. And certainly not cheap. But how many of the swanky apartments at Shoreline have actually sold?
In this week's Dispatch we focus on our charity of the year and how you can help our fundraising push...
☀️ ‘It probably saves some people from falling into deep depression’
Plus: CCTV image released after attempted town centre break-in, and work at major roundabout hit by delays
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
August 19, 2026 at 9:58 AM
In this week's Dispatch we focus on our charity of the year and how you can help our fundraising push...
In this week's newsletter we speak to writer and filmmaker Ben Barton about his fascination with Folkestone's place in the history of television...
📺 Is Folkestone the birthplace of television?
Plus: Distressed cats found abandoned in sealed cardboard box, and council hails popularity of new town centre library
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
August 12, 2026 at 7:51 AM
In this week's newsletter we speak to writer and filmmaker Ben Barton about his fascination with Folkestone's place in the history of television...
A big beery bash bursting with brewing brilliance? It must be Folkestone Tap Takeover - which returns bigger than ever next month...
🍻 Tap Takeover returns for huge celebration of craft beer
Your weekly guide to what's on in Folkestone
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
August 10, 2026 at 6:58 PM
A big beery bash bursting with brewing brilliance? It must be Folkestone Tap Takeover - which returns bigger than ever next month...
Until the end of August we are offering 20% off annual subscriptions to the Dispatch...
folkestonedispatch.substack.com/summersale
folkestonedispatch.substack.com/summersale
August 7, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Until the end of August we are offering 20% off annual subscriptions to the Dispatch...
folkestonedispatch.substack.com/summersale
folkestonedispatch.substack.com/summersale
The reopening of the Leas Lift has been delayed until spring of 2027...
🚧 Leas Lift reopening pushed back by a year
Plus: Pub set to close next month, and families flock to reopened play area
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
August 5, 2026 at 7:47 AM
The reopening of the Leas Lift has been delayed until spring of 2027...
This week we go inside the town's former Debenhams to hear from the developers seeking to bring it back to life...
🚧 No ‘quick buck’ for Folca developers
Plus: Tontine Street closed for sewer repairs, and popular play area set to reopen after refurbishment
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
July 29, 2026 at 7:49 AM
This week we go inside the town's former Debenhams to hear from the developers seeking to bring it back to life...
Folkestone is to be merged into a new Mid Kent unitary council as part of the biggest shake-up of local government in Kent for more than half a century. Fair to say not everyone is impressed...
🗳️ Folkestone to be merged into ‘insane’ new Mid Kent council
Plus: Parks awarded Green Flag status, and ‘Cold War bunker’ up for sale
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
July 22, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Folkestone is to be merged into a new Mid Kent unitary council as part of the biggest shake-up of local government in Kent for more than half a century. Fair to say not everyone is impressed...
Reposted by Folkestone Dispatch
Asked a cllr where they think the HQ of the amazing new Mid Kent Unitary Authority should be located. Ashford, maybe? Sittingbourne, perhaps?
"It really should have good transport links from all parts of the authority, and on that basis, I guess we have to look at St Pancras."
"It really should have good transport links from all parts of the authority, and on that basis, I guess we have to look at St Pancras."
July 17, 2026 at 12:31 PM
Asked a cllr where they think the HQ of the amazing new Mid Kent Unitary Authority should be located. Ashford, maybe? Sittingbourne, perhaps?
"It really should have good transport links from all parts of the authority, and on that basis, I guess we have to look at St Pancras."
"It really should have good transport links from all parts of the authority, and on that basis, I guess we have to look at St Pancras."
In this week's Dispatch we speak to local author Jo Bavington-Jones about her Folkestone-set crime series and realising her dream of becoming a writer...
🖊 ‘Unless you’re a celebrity or have the right contacts it’s almost impossible’
Plus: District's most popular baby names revealed, and plans for World Cup final screening at Harbour Arm announced
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
July 15, 2026 at 8:48 AM
In this week's Dispatch we speak to local author Jo Bavington-Jones about her Folkestone-set crime series and realising her dream of becoming a writer...
This evening we launched our new weekly what's on email: On The Town. This week, news of the line-up for this year's Folkestone Book Festival and plenty more...
📚 Book festival programme revealed
Your weekly guide to what's on in Folkestone
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
July 13, 2026 at 8:08 PM
This evening we launched our new weekly what's on email: On The Town. This week, news of the line-up for this year's Folkestone Book Festival and plenty more...
🎉 Very happy to tell you the Dispatch was highly commended in the Kent Voices Award category at this year's Kent Press & Broadcast Awards, which were presented at a ceremony in Canterbury last Friday. Thanks to @maximpr.bsky.social, the judges and sponsors for making the event possible! #kpba
July 6, 2026 at 1:11 PM
🎉 Very happy to tell you the Dispatch was highly commended in the Kent Voices Award category at this year's Kent Press & Broadcast Awards, which were presented at a ceremony in Canterbury last Friday. Thanks to @maximpr.bsky.social, the judges and sponsors for making the event possible! #kpba
Finds from an Anglo-Saxon cemetery are to go on show at Folkestone Museum this week. We visited the top-secret dig site to find out more about the remarkable artefacts uncovered by archaeologists...
🗡️ Anglo-Saxon artefacts of ‘international importance’ on show in Folkestone
Plus: Plans for homeless charity’s new home withdrawn, and inspectors say care home must improve
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
July 1, 2026 at 5:18 AM
Finds from an Anglo-Saxon cemetery are to go on show at Folkestone Museum this week. We visited the top-secret dig site to find out more about the remarkable artefacts uncovered by archaeologists...
❤️ A lovely message received today from our newest paid subscriber. It is always wonderful to hear from our readers, and know that they value the work we do.
Join them? folkestonedispatch.substack.com/subscribe
Join them? folkestonedispatch.substack.com/subscribe
June 24, 2026 at 12:43 PM
❤️ A lovely message received today from our newest paid subscriber. It is always wonderful to hear from our readers, and know that they value the work we do.
Join them? folkestonedispatch.substack.com/subscribe
Join them? folkestonedispatch.substack.com/subscribe
Next week Folkestone will pay moving tribute to fallen Canadian soldiers in a tradition that goes back more than a century. Ahead of Canada Day, in this week's Dispatch we explain the enduring bond between the North American nation and our town...
🇨🇦 Honouring the enduring bond between Folkestone and Canada
Plus: Arrest after scores of cars damaged across town, and lottery funding secured for reopening of sports centre
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
June 24, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Next week Folkestone will pay moving tribute to fallen Canadian soldiers in a tradition that goes back more than a century. Ahead of Canada Day, in this week's Dispatch we explain the enduring bond between the North American nation and our town...
Reposted by Folkestone Dispatch
Great to be part of this event for @publicinterestnews.org.uk Indie News Week, speaking about @folkestonedispatch.substack.com and how we're all trying to make new models of local journalism work
We held a panel discussion on local journalism with Christine Rayner, former editor of the East Kent Gazette, and @rhysdgriffiths.bsky.social of @folkestonedispatch.substack.com.
The clearest themes were that we need real relationships with our communities and enough reader support to sustain us.
The clearest themes were that we need real relationships with our communities and enough reader support to sustain us.
June 22, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Great to be part of this event for @publicinterestnews.org.uk Indie News Week, speaking about @folkestonedispatch.substack.com and how we're all trying to make new models of local journalism work
Reposted by Folkestone Dispatch
We held a panel discussion on local journalism with Christine Rayner, former editor of the East Kent Gazette, and @rhysdgriffiths.bsky.social of @folkestonedispatch.substack.com.
The clearest themes were that we need real relationships with our communities and enough reader support to sustain us.
The clearest themes were that we need real relationships with our communities and enough reader support to sustain us.
June 22, 2026 at 8:00 AM
We held a panel discussion on local journalism with Christine Rayner, former editor of the East Kent Gazette, and @rhysdgriffiths.bsky.social of @folkestonedispatch.substack.com.
The clearest themes were that we need real relationships with our communities and enough reader support to sustain us.
The clearest themes were that we need real relationships with our communities and enough reader support to sustain us.
To mark Refugee Week, in this week’s Dispatch we look at the work of local charity Kent Refugee Action Network and hear from their media ambassador, who herself came to the UK from Eritrea...
🌍 ‘I would like people to have the courage to understand our story’
Plus: Fly-tippers hauled before the courts, and confirmation special summer bus service will not return this year
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
June 17, 2026 at 11:53 AM
To mark Refugee Week, in this week’s Dispatch we look at the work of local charity Kent Refugee Action Network and hear from their media ambassador, who herself came to the UK from Eritrea...
Concerns have been raised about birds dying after getting trapped in netting at this town centre supermarket. But the response from the company has been branded 'half-hearted'...
🐦 Birds dying in supermarket netting
Plus: Joint operation targets illegal tobacco and vape sales, and tribute to legendary guitar heroes unveiled
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
June 10, 2026 at 10:44 AM
Concerns have been raised about birds dying after getting trapped in netting at this town centre supermarket. But the response from the company has been branded 'half-hearted'...
In today's Dispatch we report on the council's escalating bill for temporary accommodation for those facing homelessness in the district.
The costs have more than doubled in a year, rising to almost £2 million in the last financial year...
The costs have more than doubled in a year, rising to almost £2 million in the last financial year...
🏠 Bill for temporary housing for those facing homelessness continues to soar
Plus: Former library building in Grace Hill snapped up for £1, and work starts on long-awaited Road of Remembrance repairs
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
June 3, 2026 at 11:18 AM
In today's Dispatch we report on the council's escalating bill for temporary accommodation for those facing homelessness in the district.
The costs have more than doubled in a year, rising to almost £2 million in the last financial year...
The costs have more than doubled in a year, rising to almost £2 million in the last financial year...
Reposted by Folkestone Dispatch
We are delighted that the Dispatch has been shortlisted for the Kent Voices Award at this year's Kent Press & Broadcast Awards. This award recognises those 'going the extra mile to serve their local community' and we are proud to be among the four finalists
www.kpbawards.co.uk/finalists
#kpba
www.kpbawards.co.uk/finalists
#kpba
May 21, 2026 at 9:26 AM
We are delighted that the Dispatch has been shortlisted for the Kent Voices Award at this year's Kent Press & Broadcast Awards. This award recognises those 'going the extra mile to serve their local community' and we are proud to be among the four finalists
www.kpbawards.co.uk/finalists
#kpba
www.kpbawards.co.uk/finalists
#kpba
We were out with the wonderful Folkestone Fellas for their monthly 'walk and talk' this morning. Always a great get-together and a chance to meet some new faces!
Find out more about the Fellas here: folkestonedispatch.substack.com/p/folkestone...
Find out more about the Fellas here: folkestonedispatch.substack.com/p/folkestone...
May 31, 2026 at 11:51 AM
We were out with the wonderful Folkestone Fellas for their monthly 'walk and talk' this morning. Always a great get-together and a chance to meet some new faces!
Find out more about the Fellas here: folkestonedispatch.substack.com/p/folkestone...
Find out more about the Fellas here: folkestonedispatch.substack.com/p/folkestone...