🇨🇦 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
Walk among the ordered rows of headstones on the grassy slopes of Shorncliffe Military Cemetery, and it will not be long before your eyes rest on a maple leaf engraved into the soft Portland stone of these memorials to the fallen. The cemetery, nestled into the hillside overlooking the sweep of the coastline beyond, contains a total of 471 First World War burials, 305 of them Canadians.
During that conflict, which broke out in the summer of 1914 and lasted for more than four bloody years until the signing of the Armistice in November 1918, tens of thousands of Canadian military personnel were stationed in Folkestone as they made their way to the trenches of the Western Front.
Their distinctive presence in the town as they passed through their staging post at Shorncliffe was long-remembered by local people, and the lasting presence of those hundreds who now lie at rest in the Kentish soil has created an enduring bond between Canada and Folkestone that remains even as those dark days have eventually passed from living memory.
And so on Wednesday next week the town will once again mark Canada Day, the North American country’s official national holiday, with a service of remembrance for those Canadian soldiers buried in the Shorncliffe cemetery who died during the First World War and in other conflicts.
The tradition, which began in the immediate aftermath of the First World War and is led by Folkestone Town Council, sees local schoolchildren lay flowers on the graves of the fallen in a touching moment of connection between the generations.
The simple act of placing the floral tributes upon the graves is, Sandgate Parish Council chairman Tim Prater told the Dispatch, a recognition of the fact that so many of the families of those men who lie thousands of miles from home would never have the opportunity to do so themselves.
“It’s worth remembering why there are so many Canadians buried at Shorncliffe,” Cllr Prater said. “It was their staging barracks in the First World War. Troops would be transported here by rail, taken to the barracks for some final training and to wait for their crossing over the Channel.
“But thousands of those soldiers did not return—they of course are buried in the battlefields of France, Belgium and elsewhere in Europe.
“The ones that returned, with often horrific injuries, were brought back to Shorncliffe and the hospital on the hill. If the injuries were too much, then to the nearby church and the cemetery, to stay forever thousands of miles from home, away from families and friends, and remembered by us on July 1 in their stead.
“I’ve had a number of contacts over the years from families in Canada, grateful that their relative is being remembered, and Folkestone has had the thanks of the Canadian Ambassador and others over the years for continuing the tradition into its second century.”
Behind every name etched into the hundreds of gravestones lining the slopes of the cemetery is, of course, a unique story. Cllr Prater himself discovered one of them in 2022 when he was contacted by a retired police officer from Eastleigh in Hampshire.
The man never knew his biological father, but family research had identified him as a Canadian soldier who died during the Second World War and was buried at Shorncliffe. By this point in his 70s, he was able to attend that year’s service and lay flowers on his father’s grave for the first time.
For Canadians living locally, the service of remembrance on July 1 provides an opportunity to connect with their homeland. Melissa Charbonneau, originally from Ontario, now lives in Folkestone and works at a school in the town. This year her son will be among the schoolchildren taking part in the Canada Day service.
“Moving to Folkestone from Toronto 17 years ago, I never realised the historical connection that Folkestone shares with Canada,” she said. “Since then, I’ve learned that my great-great-grandfather walked down the Road of Remembrance to board the boats over to the continent during the First World War.
“Now my son gets a chance to pay homage to his Canadian heritage in what is his hometown, by attending the Canada Day ceremony this year with his classmates.
“With them being half Canadian, I’ve always tried to celebrate all things Canada with my children. But we’ve never been able to attend the Canada Day ceremony before, so I’m quite excited he gets to do something special to celebrate its history.”
In 1927, the then Mayor of Folkestone said: “As far as Folkestone is concerned, the ceremony should last as long as it is in the power of human beings to do so.” It is a call the people of the town answer every July 1 with a deep sense of respect and gratitude for those who came from across the ocean and gave their lives in the terrible conflicts of the previous century.
Poet Rupert Brooke, writing in 1914, imagined a fallen soldier’s final resting place being ‘for ever England’. Today, and in the future, we can reflect on the fact that one small, tranquil corner of Kent will be for ever Canada.
The Canada Day service will take place at Shorncliffe Military Cemetery on Wednesday, July 1, at 11.30am. All members of the public are invited to attend.
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News in brief
🚨 A man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after almost 70 vehicles were vandalised in streets across Folkestone in the space of three days. Kent Police received reports of damage to parked cars in several parts of the town, including Black Bull Road, Radnor Park Road and Wear Bay Road. The spate of vandalism began on Friday, June 19, and lasted until Sunday, June 21. In all it is reported that 67 vehicles sustained damage, including smashed windscreens. A 32-year-old Iraqi national was arrested on Sunday evening and taken into custody while police enquiries continued.
DI Carlo Capozzi said: “Officers are working to contact those affected and keep them updated as the investigation progresses. I understand that damage to personal property can be distressing, and we are continuing to pursue all lines of enquiry. At this stage, we are not seeking to arrest anyone further in connection with these offences, but we are keen to hear from anyone who may have information which can assist our investigation.” Police are keen to speak with anyone who has not yet made a report of damage to their vehicle or property, while residents with private CCTV and motorists with dashcam are also asked to check for relevant footage. Anyone with information can call Kent Police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/99421/26.
🏊 The Sports Trust is to receive £386,542 from the National Lottery Community Fund to help with the costs of reopening Folkestone Sports Centre. The cash injection was confirmed last month and announced by the charity at the weekend. Closed to the public back in the summer of 2024 after the previous operators ran out of cash, it is hoped the Radnor Park Avenue leisure centre will be able to open its doors once again this summer. Folkestone & Hythe District Council has already agreed to contribute £2.4 million towards the renovation and repairs required.
Commenting on the latest financial boost, The Sports Trust chief executive Dan Hulme said: “The funding from The National Lottery Community Fund will be transformational for both The Sports Trust and our community. Reopening Folkestone Sports Centre is about much more than restoring a building, it is about creating opportunities, improving health and well-being, and bringing people together.” You can read our recent interview with Mr Hulme, published in April, here.
🔥 Southeastern is warning people to “only travel if absolutely necessary” as temperatures peak during the latest heatwave. The rail firm says customers with tickets for today, June 24, and tomorrow can apply for a fee-free refund if they decide not to travel due to the heat. Folkestone is currently subject to an amber weather warning for extreme heat, with the temperatures in the town expected to reach 32C tomorrow, June 25. It will be even warmer inland, with a rare red warning in place for much of the south of England.
🎨 Creative Folkestone is hunting for a new curator to deliver the town’s 2028 Triennial exhibition. Announcing the search, the arts charity said: “We are looking to appoint a freelance curator with an ambitious vision for the next Triennial, building on the legacy of previous exhibitions while continuing to shape Folkestone’s reputation as an art town that welcomes contemporary artists into its everyday life.” Applications for the role are now open and more information can be found here.
🚨 A wanted man was arrested by police after being pulled over during a road safety operation in Folkestone. Officers were carrying out checks in the Cheriton Road and Dover Road areas of the town when the 55-year-old driver was stopped and found to be without insurance. Subsequent checks revealed he was wanted on warrant for an unrelated offence and he was arrested and his vehicle was seized. In all, police seized eight vehicles during the operation on June 12, and issued more than 30 traffic offence reports. Sgt Kevin Marsh said: “We proactively stopped many vehicles and gave advice in relation to safer driving and ensuring vehicles are in a safe condition to be driven. We were also joined by the local council, who targeted taxis and waste removal vehicles to ensure they were complying with relevant licences.”
What’s on this week
🎙️ Chump’s Comedy returns to Quarterhouse this evening, June 24, with a lineup of great acts. Never Mind The Buzzcocks regular Jamali Maddix and SNL UK star Paddy Young will be joined by Tiff Stevenson, Basil Crumbwick and host Amy Annette. The show starts at 7.45pm and you can pick up the last remaining tickets here.
🎸 There will be live music at the Music Workshop on Friday evening, June 26, as part of the nationwide Everywhere At Once festival supporting the country’s small venues. Headliners on the night will be local alt-rock outfit Vesu, supported by Margate’s Fruit Band and Folkestone DJ Mr Moor. It all kicks off at 7.30pm and you can pick up your tickets here.
💬 Local historian Shay Collyer will be giving a talk about Duleep Singh, the last Maharaja of the Sikh empire, and his connection to Folkestone on Saturday, June 27, at 2.30pm. The event, which is organised by the New Folkestone Society, is taking place in the Back Hall at the Cornerstone Centre in Castle Hill Avenue. More information can be found here.
🎖️ This year’s Armed Forces Day celebrations will take place on The Leas on Saturday, June 27. Honouring the service of our military community, among the attractions will be a planned air display by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. The free event takes place from 10am to 6pm and you can find more information here.
👋 Folkestone Fellas—a community for men who want to make new friends—will be staging its latest ‘walk and talk’ get-together on Saturday, June 27. The group will be meeting at Orchard Lane Coffee House in Sandgate at 9.30am before heading off for a leisurely stroll and chat. All men are welcome to attend, and you can find out more about Folkestone Fellas by reading this Dispatch piece from last year.
🎞️ Musical fantasy Wicked will be showing at the Harbour Arm on Friday, June 26, as part of this year’s free 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.
🐟 The town’s annual Blessing of the Fisheries service will take place on The Stade overlooking the harbour on Sunday, June 28. A procession will leave St Peter’s Church at 2.45pm, heading down to the harbour for the Blessing ceremony at 3pm.
🗑️ Local litter heroes the Folkestone Wombles will be staging their latest litter pick on Sunday, June 28. Anyone wanting to come along and help keep the town tidy should meet at the Civic Centre in Castle Hill Avenue for a 10am start. All equipment will be provided. You can read more about the Folkestone Wombles initiative here.
Do you have an event in Folkestone you would like to promote in a forthcoming edition of the Dispatch? Send details to us and we’ll help spread the word!
That’s all from me this week. I know many of us, myself included, will be doing our best to enjoy the summer sunshine, but of course extreme heat can be dangerous for many, so please do consider checking in with anyone you know who might be vulnerable during this week’s heatwave. Next week’s newsletter will be in your inboxes at the same time next Wednesday.
All the best, Rhys
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