đ¨ Could Folkestone become the first-ever UK Town of Culture and win ÂŁ3m prize?
Plus: Sadness at death of âincredibleâ former teacher, and council âcontinuing to prepareâ for auction of former library building
The government has announced a contest seeking to recognise the power of culture in towns across the nationâwith the winner of the inaugural competition set to scoop ÂŁ3 million to deliver a programme of events in 2028. In this weekâs Dispatch we answer some of the key questions and ask if Folkestone could be a contenderâŚ
What is the UK Town of Culture competition?
Announced by culture secretary Lisa Nandy in October, the contest aims to showcase âlocal visions and voices through new arts venues, performances, workshops and moreâ by providing investment and a raised profile for the victorious town.
The process begins with towns submitting expressions of interest. These will be considered by an expert panel led by Sir Phil Redmondâthe television producer and screenwriter who created Grange Hill, Brookside and Hollyoaksâand shortlisted towns will be handed ÂŁ60,000 each to flesh out their full bid.
Three finalistsâone small, one medium and one large townâwill be chosen and the winner will be crowned UK Town of Culture 2028.
Ms Nandy said: âThere is so much for us to be proud of in the towns weâre fromâfrom the rich local history to unique festivals and celebrations. They have shaped our national story for decades. Now itâs time they take centre stage and showcase the unique stories they have to tell.
âWe have seen the transformative power of culture through the UK City of Culture competition. I want to make sure that towns have the same opportunity to make a real difference to their local community and show the world exactly why their town is so special.â
What will the bids be judged on?
It looks like bidders are being given as much scope as possible within which to tell the cultural story of their town. The government has announced the following criteria on which the panel of experts will judge each proposal:
Your story: the unique story of the town
Culture for everyone: how the town will design a cultural programme for all
Making it happen: how the town will then deliver a successful programme
Sir Phil said: âI am delighted to have been asked to chair the new Town of Culture competition, as in the past it has been hard to adequately demonstrate the depth, breadth and diversity of the UKâs cultural landscape through the UK City of Cultureâs urban lens.
âThe two competitions will complement each other while providing more opportunities for more places to both demonstrate and celebrate that creativity is not confined to the great urban concert halls, theatres or galleries.
âIt is in everything we do together. In every town, village, neighbourhood, street or road. UK Town of Culture asks what makes your town special? What makes its people proud to be there? And why should that be celebrated?â
What is in it for the winning town?
Beyond the cachet that would come with being crowned UK Town of Culture 2028, the winning town will receive a ÂŁ3 million prize which can be spent on delivering the programme outlined in its successful bid. The two runners-up will also each receive ÂŁ250,000 to deliver elements of their bid.
Beyond the cash injection from winning the competition, the town that scoops the title can expect to see an associated boost to its wider economy as a result of being crowned the first town of culture.
The government says Bradford, the most recent winner of the UK City of Culture crown, is âprojected to benefit from ÂŁ389 million in growth across the districtâ as a result of its year in the spotlight.
Does Folkestone have a good shot at winning?
Given the townâs recent history of transformation through arts-led regeneration, you would have to think so. Not only does the town host significant cultural eventsâthink the Triennial, the Book Festival and the Documentary Festivalâbut it also has a wealth of grassroots initiatives that would form the basis of a compelling narrative when it comes to the power of culture to transform and engage the community.
However, the fear would be that Folkestoneâs proven success in recent times might actually count against it should the judges be inclined to award the title and the associated cash boost to a town in greater need of the uplift a winning bid would provide.
Who is backing a Folkestone bid for the title?
So far the most prominent voice supporting the idea of a bid for the title is the townâs Labour MP Tony Vaughan, which is perhaps unsurprising given the UK Town of Culture competition is an initiative launched by his government to provide investment for communities that are often overlooked when it comes to this type of funding and support.
âWe are a community-driven and culture-driven town, and we should be recognised for that,â Mr Vaughan told the Dispatch when we asked why he is determined the town should enter the contest. ââ Winning the UK Town of Culture competition would cement our national reputation as a leading creative hub and provide greater publicity for our cultural organisations and venues.
âWinning a competition like this would create more opportunities for our grassroots talent, especially opportunities for performing in the UK and around the world.
ââ I will be using my convening power as the local MP to draw on inspiration and ideas from across our town, so that we can submit the strongest possible bid. For me, this is all about the grassroots, finding the individuals and groups in Folkestone who are doing incredible creative work, and ensuring they can feed into the story we want to tell.
âI will also be working intensively with our district council to support Folkestoneâs bid and assisting them with our plan for a successful creative event to be delivered in 2028, which is what the competition winner will need to do.â
Mr Vaughan has launched a survey seeking suggestions for individuals, groups and organisations who should feature in a bid for the title, and he invites Dispatch readers to have their say here.
What have others said about the possibility?
So far it seems that other organisations which would likely be central to the bidding process are preferring to keep their powder dryâthere is likely to be significant planning to be done behind the scenes before any formal bid can be announced.
Folkestone & Hythe District Council has only gone so far as to say that the prospect of bidding is âvery temptingâ and that any final decision remains âunder considerationâ. Meanwhile arts charity Creative Folkestone has simply said it is âvery early days at this stageâ and that âconversationsâ are taking place.
The team at Folkestone Pride say they are âthrilled that Folkestone has been tipped as a contender for the UK Town of Culture Competitionâ, as winning the title would be ârecognition that celebrates the townâs vibrant arts and cultural scene and adds even more excitement to future celebrationsâ.
When will we know if Folkestone is in the running?
Towns have until the end of March to submit their expressions of interest, and it is expected that the shortlisted bidders will be revealed soon after in the spring. The Dispatch will of course be keeping a close eye on any plans for a Folkestone bid, so watch this space.
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News in brief
đŠđťâđŤ Tributes have been paid to an âincredibleâ former teacher who died last month. Françoise Lloyd taught German, French and history at the Harvey Grammar School in Folkestone for a number of years, and was later head of modern foreign languages at Dover Grammar School for Boys. Scott Norman, headteacher at the Harvey, said: âWe were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Françoise Lloyd. She will be fondly remembered by many Harveians not only for her love of languages, but also for the care and kindness she showed to pupils throughout her career.â
Lesia Dubeniuk became friends with the 76-year-old after moving to the UK from Ukraine with her son. She said: âFrançoise had a truly big heart. She sincerely helped so many people and always tried to make this world a better place. She was an incredible person, known and loved by many. She taught me not only how to speak English, but how to live and find my way in a new country. I am endlessly grateful that I met her, and words will never fully describe who she was to me.â
đ Kent County Council is continuing with its plans for the sale of the former library in Grace Hillâdespite a recent decision by Folkestone Town Council to explore the purchase of the Grade II-listed building. Asked by the Dispatch for its response to the unanimous vote by town councillors last month, KCC said it continues âto prepare for the building to go to auctionâ in the coming months. While the Grace Hill buildingâs ultimate fate is yet to be decided, work is progressing on plans to relocate library and adult education services to a new home in Sandgate Road âfor the foreseeable futureâ.
A County Hall spokesman said: âKent County Council has indicated that it is making good progress on bringing back a town centre library provision for Folkestone at a new location which is expected to open in late spring. As part of this the council has proposed to dispose of the former Folkestone Library building, Grace Hill. The Asset of Community Value process sets the timetable we must follow. We can confirm that the council received a formal proposal from Folkestone Town Council on Tuesday, January 27, which we will carefully consider. Any proposal must meet our legal requirements and show good value for taxpayers. In the meantime, we are continuing to prepare for the building to go to auction in spring.â
đ Residents who expressed their opposition to a âhouse in multiple occupationâ in their neighbourhood say they were dismayed when the plans were approved without first going before the district councilâs planning committee. The six-bedroom property in Marshall Street will be made capable of housing six individuals, according to documents submitted in support of the application. A number of people expressed opposition to the plans, particularly on the grounds of the impact on parking in the area. âWe feel like we donât have a say and the âconsultationâ is just going through the motions,â said one neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous. A council spokesman said: âWeâre aware of the strength of feelingâall representations received were carefully considered when the application was determined.â
đ The harbour arm is going âback to its rootsâ this summer with the announcement of a renewed focus on âindependent street food traders and pop-up barsâ. From April to September the coastal hot-spot will host a rotating line-up of pop-up traders. Applications for spots on the arm this summer are now open and interested traders are encouraged to apply online here.
Paulo Kingston-Correia, general manager at Folkestone Harbour, said: â2026 is about going back to what made the harbour arm special in the first place. A real sense of discovery, great independent food, and something new to stumble across every time you visit. From April to September, the heart of the harbour arm will be completely taken over by pop-up traders, creating a space that feels vibrant, ever-changing and full of energy. With returning favourites, brand-new businesses, live music and uninterrupted sea views, it will feel like a food festival every single weekend.â
đłď¸âđ Folkestone Pride has opened applications for performers to take part in its 2026 event, continuing what organisers say is âits commitment to supporting grassroots and Kent-based talentâ. Artists from across the county are invited to apply, including singers, bands, drag performers, theatre companies, DJs, variety acts and emerging creatives of all kinds. âWeâre proud to champion LGBTQ+ talent and allies, and weâre inviting Kent-based performers to add to an already sparkling lineup,â a Pride spokesman said. The deadline for applications is March 31 and those interested in taking part can apply online here.
đŽ A video games quiz night held at Chaos Cards in Sandgate Road on Saturday evening raised ÂŁ800 for South Kent Mindâthe Dispatch charity of the year. Joe Tolhurst, from SKM, said: âA huge thank you to Chaos Cards for providing the space for the evening and for donating prizes for our raffle and best-dressed competition, as well as ÂŁ100 in vouchers for the winning team, The Lone Wolves.â
Whatâs on this week
đ¸ FOLKESOUND, a night of music featuring five local bands, will be coming to the Grand Burstin on Saturday, February 7. Organisers say they want to create a night thatâs genuinely accessible to all, so entry is just ÂŁ5 for a packed evening of live music. Acts on this weekendâs bill are Katie B & The Snooks, Watermoor, Jimmy & The Riddles, FunkStone, and The Shindigs. The music will be playing from 5pm until late, and you can get your tickets here.
đŹ Blue Has No Borders, a documentary exploring community tensions and questions of identity directed by Folkestone-based filmmaker Jessi Gutch, will have another screening at Silver Screen Cinema tomorrow evening, February 5, at 7.30pm. The filmâwhich features the stories of people from our townâwas shown at the same venue as part of the Folkestone Documentary Festival in October, and was well received by a sold-out audience. Similarly to that previous showing, this weekâs screening will feature a post-film Q&A. Tickets can be purchased here.
đ¸ Brighton indie-rock outfit Creeping Jean are bringing their âfuzz-heavy, hook-stacked soundâ to the Quarterhouse on Saturday, February 7. The show starts at 8pm and you can get tickets here.
đď¸ Open Mic Sunday is back at the Beer Shop this weekend, from 4pm until 8pm on, well, Sunday, February 8. The floor is open to all performers, whether musicians, spoken word artists, poets, comedians or anything in between. Slots last up to 15 minutes, so arrive early to get your name down.
Do you have an event in Folkestone you would like to promote in a forthcoming edition of the Dispatch? Send details to us and weâll help spread the word!
Thatâs all from me this week. I have to say, UK Town of Culture 2028 has a nice ring to it. Weâre so fortunate to have so much wonderful cultural action here on our doorstep, so if youâre putting on an eventâand want more people locally to know about itâthen please do get in touch and let me know the details so I can include it in a future edition of the Dispatch. Next weekâs newsletter will be in your inboxes at the same time next Wednesday.
All the best, Rhys
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