🌊 Folkestone Triennial 2025: Artists to highlight the issue of coastal water pollution
Plus: Revised plans for controversial harbour redevelopment to go back before the council, and details of this year's Folkestone Pride are announced
Ministry of Sewers artwork at this summer’s Triennial to put spotlight on issue of water pollution
Anger at coastal water pollution is to be highlighted at this summer’s Folkestone Triennial through a collaborative artwork described by its creators as a Ministry of Sewers, a place where locals and visitors can share their experiences of sewage mismanagement and advocate for cleaner seas.
This week the Dispatch spoke to artist Alon Schwabe, part of the Turner Prize-nominated collective Cooking Sections, to find out how the concept came about and how local people can contribute to the piece…
The state of our waters is nothing short of a national disgrace, and water companies have rightly come under fire from campaigners for shoddy practices that for years have seen bills rise all the while sewage continues to spill into our rivers and our seas.
Current Environment Agency data shows that two beaches in our district—at Dymchurch and Littlestone—remain subject to ‘no swim’ warnings because of the poor quality of the bathing waters there. Here in Folkestone the situation is only marginally better, with our water quality rated ‘sufficient’. Not ‘good’ nor ‘excellent’, as at some other locations along the Kent coast, but at least not explicitly hazardous to those entering the sea.
It is little wonder, then, that so many people are angry about the ongoing contamination of our coastal waters, a mood that struck artists Cooking Sections when they began work on their commission for this summer’s Folkestone Triennial.
“We started working on this project more than three years ago by having a lot of conversations with different stakeholders and looking at various environmental issues,” artist Alon Schwabe told the Dispatch this week.
“Of course, what is happening with sewage has been a very topical and urgent thing, a massive environmental hazard that has been affecting the coast of Kent and the south of England for quite some time.
“From there we started speaking to a lot of various resident groups, activist groups and environmentalists that have been trying to address the question of sewage overflow and sewage pollution, and we’re really trying to think how to use the platform of the Triennial to amplify these discussions.
“We came up with this idea of developing a Ministry, a space where the public—residents of Folkestone, residents of the whole coast of Kent—can come and share their grievances or their complaints with ministers. The ministers are key stakeholders in the community, people that have been very much involved with these issues.”
Swimming instructor Kirsty Hogben is among those who have helped contribute to the project so far and she says she hopes the Ministry of Sewers will allow the community a prominent platform from which to advocate for change.
She said: “Sewage pollution is having a direct impact on the health of our sea, humans and wildlife. It needs to be stopped. Our town is built around the sea. The community here is deeply connected to the coastline, and sea swimming is so incredibly good for so many people.
“When the sea is polluted, it affects every part of that relationship. This project gives our community a powerful voice and a way to push for real change.”
The Ministry of Sewers has already opened for submissions online, with people invited to contribute their own testimonies, evidence and stories for a ‘log of grievances’ cataloguing the impact of coastal water pollution. And once the Triennial is under way, visitors will also be able to book one-on-one appointments with a minister at the Customs House at the harbour, where they can file a complaint to the Ministry of Sewers directly.
“It’s basically going to be a book which is a public record of all of the mismanagement of sewage, effluent, and the discharge into the sea and water streams in and around Folkestone,” Mr Schwabe said.
“This log will be on display throughout the Triennial, a growing log of grievances, then it’s going to be donated to the Folkestone Museum and put there as a public record.”
Sorcha Carey, curator of the Triennial, said: “Cooking Sections’ Ministry of Sewers is one of the boldest commissions in this year’s Triennial. At a time when public concern about water pollution is rising, this project invites us not just to look, but to act. In connecting Folkestone’s coastline to global systems of waste, it confronts uncomfortable truths with creativity, humour and urgency.”
You can make your submission to the Ministry of Sewers here. Folkestone Triennial 2025 will open on Saturday, July 19, and will run until Sunday, October 19. You can find out more about this year’s Triennial here.
News in brief
🚧 Revised plans for the controversial redevelopment of Folkestone harbour are set to go before the Folkestone & Hythe District Council planning committee on Tuesday, June 17. Previous designs for the scheme were rejected by councillors back in January, so Sir Roger De Haan’s Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Company has now returned with amended proposals. Changes include an increase in visitor parking spaces, a greater proportion of three-bed properties and design tweaks intended to lessen the impact of the development on the historic harbour station. Council officers recommend that planning permission be granted subject to certain conditions.
🏳️🌈 Organisers of Folkestone Pride have announced details of this year’s celebration of the town’s LGBTQ+ community, which will take place on Saturday, July 26. The event will start at 1pm with a parade through the town centre from the bottom of the Old High Street to The Leas. At the bandstand from 2pm there will be a free, family-friendly event featuring live music, variety acts and drag shows hosted by Folkestone-born Dita Garbo, fresh from her recent appearance on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
Rosie Percy, director of Folkestone Pride, said: “This year’s Folkestone Pride is going to be our most exciting yet. The parade is getting a longer route so even more people across town can get involved, and we’ve got a brilliant mix of performers, including some making their Folkestone debut. We’re also working with the amazing Damp Disco team to throw a proper after-party that celebrates everything Pride stands for. At a time when many in the LGBTQ+ community are feeling uncertain or under pressure, events like this are about showing up, standing together and reminding ourselves, and each other, that love and solidarity matter. We hope everyone comes out to celebrate with us.”
🚨 Detectives have appealed for witnesses after a woman was allegedly threatened with a knife and raped in Kingsnorth Gardens at around 12.40pm on Friday, June 6. Police say the alleged attacker was known to the victim. A 52-year-old man was later charged with possession of a bladed article in a public place and possession of cocaine. The suspect was remanded in custody while investigations into the alleged sexual offence continue. Police are urging anyone with information that may assist their enquiries to call 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/95193/25.
✈️ A group of 27 pupils from Turner Free School travelled to Heathrow Airport last week to attend a STEM Open Day hosted by British Airways. The Year 9 and 10 students, who are all studying triple science at GCSE, spent the day finding out about the aviation industry—and even had the chance to see a retired Concorde. Charlie Richards, the teacher who led the trip, said: “British Airways provided an action-packed event for our students, who were able to take advantage of the unique opportunity to get behind the scenes of airport and aviation life.”
🥐 Greggs has pulled its plans to open its first branch in Folkestone town centre on the site of a former bank. The bakery chain had sought permission for a change of use for the former Barclays branch in Sandgate Road, which closed in June 2023 and has been unoccupied ever since. However, documents posted to the district council’s planning portal show the application has now been withdrawn. The company already has one outlet in the town, inside a petrol station in Cheriton Road.
What’s on this week
🎙️ Lee Memphis King, one of Europe’s leading Elvis Presley tribute acts, will be bringing his One Night of Elvis show to the Leas Cliff Hall on Saturday, June 14. The performance promises “stunningly accurate vocals and incredible passion” as the King’s Las Vegas years are brought to life on stage. You can get your tickets here.
🎞️ Musical favourite Grease will be showing at the Harbour Arm on Friday, June 13, as part of this year’s free summer cinema programme. The 7pm screening is completely free to attend, you don’t need a ticket, and spaces are available on a first come, first served basis. You can find out more about this and other upcoming events at the Harbour Arm here.
🎤 Poet Hollie McNish will be performing at the Quarterhouse on Thursday, June 12, where she will be reading from her latest work, Lobster. Publicity for the show, which starts at 7pm, suggests the audience can expect “strong language and adult content, gift-wrapped in gorgeously crafted chat and poetry”. You can get tickets here.
🎸 Guitarist Reverend Robert will be joined by guests Katie Bradley and Dave Ferra for an evening of blues at Market Square on Saturday, June 14. More information, including how to get your tickets, can be found here.
🎞️ Folkestone Doc Club will be showing the documentary I Am Martin Parr at Silver Screen Cinema this evening, June 11, at 7.30pm. The film is billed as the definitive portrait of a legendary photographer who revolutionised contemporary photography as he documented life across England. More info about the screening here.
📖 The Folkestone Bookshop will be hosting its regular Storytime session tomorrow, June 12, at 11.30am. Bookseller Erin will be reading several stories perfect for little ones. The tales will be best suited for children up to five years old, but everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be available for both kids and adults and there is no need to book in advance, just turn up and enjoy the stories.
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In case you missed it…
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