A teenager has has been charged following a stabbing in Folkestone Kent Police were called at 3.30pm on Wednesday after a report that a man had been assaulted in Foord Road Emergency services attended and a man in his 30s was taken to a London hospital with an injury 'consistent with a stab wound' The victim remains in hospital but the injuries are not believed to be life-threatening A 17-year-old boy was arrested on Thursday The 17-year-old boy was later charged with unlawful wounding possession of a knife and possession of crack cocaine He appeared before Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Friday He will appear in front of Canterbury Crown Court on Monday who was arrested following enquiries at the scene has been bailed to return to Folkestone police station In Folkestone and Hythe district in the 2025 Local Elections there were gains for the Lib Dems and Reform as they took one and five respectively of the Kent County Council seats on offer who will be the main opposition party at county hall after the election Sandgate and Hythe East from the Conservatives Reform UK gained the other five seats by taking Elham Valley Folkestone West and Romney Marsh from the Conservatives Hythe West from the Green Party and Folkestone East from Labour Overall on Kent County Council Reform UK now has overall control and holds 57 out of the 81 seats the Lib Dems are the second largest party with 12 councillors The final two seats are taken by Labour councillors down from the five the party held before the election Full results for Folkestone and Hythe district are listed below: Sandgate and Hythe East - LIB DEM GAIN FROM CON For a full list of results from across Kent click here: Kent Local Election results full list For detailed results from the other 11 Kent County Council areas Ashford Canterbury Dartford Dover Gravesham Maidstone Sevenoaks Swale Thanet Tonbridge and Malling Tunbridge Wells Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right 1st Team Manager Jay Saunders to meet supporters in The Dugout Sports Bar We are delighted to announce the Jay Saunders will be joining us for next week’s fans forum at The Dugout Sports Bar giving supporters the chance to put questions to the newly appointed 1st Team Manager as he prepares for a busy summer at the Alcaline Stadium Supporters will also be able to hear the latest updates and put questions to Folkestone Invicta Chairman Josh Healey The fans forum is scheduled for a 6:30pm start on Monday 12th May and we look forward to welcoming supporters for the final time this season Supporters who wish to purchase or renew season tickets will also be able to do so before and after the forum Alcaline Stadium Cheriton Road Folkestone Kent CT19 5JU Majority shareholder Addington Leisure Ltd South EastShareSaveBen LondonFour fire engines and two water carriers were dispatched to handle the fireThe M20 near Folkestone has been temporarily closed on the westbound carriageway due to a lorry fire which caused smoke to billow across the road Traffic had been building around the section that had been closed from junction 11 (Hythe and Westenhanger) to junction 12 (Cheriton) Kent Fire & Rescue Service said four fire engines and two water carriers were dispatched to the scene of the fire near junction 12 just before 09:00 BST National Highways South East said traffic was being diverted via the A20 in both directions Police said there had been no reports of injuries The cause of the fire is currently unknown The woman in her 60s was airlifted to hospital after the car she was in crashed on Saturday evening. The Red Dog in High Halstow has failed to meet safety standards, a fire service said. A man is found with a suspected stab wound following reports of an assault, police say. People were told not to travel to the area as flames and thick smoked filled the air. Kent Police say they were called to a disturbance involving a small group on Monday. All the winners from our End of Season Awards Presentation We held our End of Season Awards Presentation following Easter Monday’s win against Lewes at the Alcaline Stadium Players for both our Men’s and Women’s senior teams families and supporters packed The Dugout Sports Bar to see a number of prizes dished out Supporter of the year was awarded to Neil Morris Folkestone Invicta Women captain Izzy Janser took home the Opposition’s Player of the Season award Following each match our opposition selected a player of the match for the Invicta team with Izzy winning on 10 out of 21 occasions Hayley Turrell took home the award for Folkestone Invicta Women’s Top Goalscorer Hayley scored a hat-trick in their historic opening fixture at the Alcaline Stadium against Mersham Sports Club and has not stopped scoring since Goalkeeper Aaliyah Singh took home the Players’ Player of the Year award Aaliyah has kept 9 clean sheets throughout the season Folkestone Invicta Women Manager’s Player of the Year award went to forward Chloe Lloyd Chloe joined the club ahead of Folkestone Invicta Women’s inaugural season and has formed a potent partnership to top scorer Hayley Turrell to fire Invicta to the SECWFL Kent Division 2 East title The final Folkestone Invicta Women’s award was the Supporters’ Player of the Year Top scorer Hayley Turrell took the award with 13.1% of the vote One final award went to winger Nyah Commons who took the Women’s Young Player of the Year award but unfortunately wasn’t able to join us on the day Congratulations to Nyah who has 7 goals in 20 appearances this season Congratulations to all the players and coaching staff who have had a fantastic season for Folkestone Invicta Women and we hope they can go on to make it even better when they travel to Maidstone United’s Gallagher Stadium to take on Lydd Town Ladies in the SECWFL Kent Divisional Cup Final on Thursday 15th May The men’s award kicked off with the Invicta TV Goal of the Season which went to Dan Smith for his 2nd strike against Dover Athletic in August After opening the scoring inside 2 minutes Dan headed home a Jamie Mascoll free kick to give Invicta a 3-1 lead with 12 minutes to play Dan smith’s double that night at Dover were the first of 19 goals this season that saw him take home the award for Top Goalscorer The Young Player of the Year award went to left back Frankie Morgan The 23 year old made 40 appearances throughout the season having joined from Isthmian South East side Sheppey United last summer Midfielder Amadou Kassaraté was voted Players’ Player of the Year by his teammates was sent off on his debut before scoring the first of 8 goals just 2 days later in a 2-1 win away at Hastings United Amadou made 40 appearances throughout the season bettered only by Jonny Henly (44) and Gavin Hoyte (45) The final award was the Folkestone Invicta Men’s Supporters’ Player of the Year award voted for both online and by supporters at our final 2 home games of the season Dan Smith took the award with 17.1% of the vote We wish to thank all of our supporters who joined us for the presentation and those who voted for awards Voters across Folkestone and Hythe district will head to the polls on Thursday (May 1) to elect six councillors to represent them on Kent County Council Residents in Folkestone as well as the town of Hythe and areas such as Romney Marsh have the chance to use their vote to influence policies on issues such as roads Folkestone and Hythe district has 34 candidates standing across six seats with each ward electing one councillor to county hall the six Folkestone and Hythe seats are held by four Conservatives one Labour councillor and one Green councillor was elected in a by-election in March 2023 after the incumbent Conservative councillor stood down 425 candidates are standing for your votes in 72 wards across the 12 boroughs and districts that make up the Kent County Council region Medway Council does not have elections scheduled in 2025 Kent County Council currently has a Conservative majority with the Lib Dems as the next largest party on six Labour and the Green Party hold five seats each three members for Reform and one each for the Heritage Party and the Swale Independents Elections in Kent are going ahead this year despite the ongoing devolution process that is set to see the county’s current councils abolished to be replaced with a smaller number of unitary authorities A full list of candidates for all of the Folkestone and Hythe district seats in the 2025 Kent County Council elections are listed below: For a full list of candidates standing in ever area of Kent in the 2025 Local Elections click here. For a detailed list of Ashford candidates click here For a detailed list of Canterbury candidates click here For a detailed list of Dartford candidates click here For a detailed list of Dover candidates click here For a detailed list of Gravesham candidates click here For a detailed list of Maidstone candidates click here For a detailed list of Sevenoaks candidates click here For a detailed list of Swale candidates click here For a detailed list of Thanet candidates click here For a detailed list of Tonbridge and Malling candidates click here For a detailed list of Tunbridge Wells candidates click here Folkestone Invicta retained list following the conclusion of the 2024/25 Isthmian League Season Following the conclusion of our 2024/25 campaign Folkestone Invicta Football Club can confirm its retained and released list ahead of the 2025/26 season The following players are under contract for 2025/26: The following players are in talks with the club and further updates will be issued in due course: We can also confirm that Joe Turner will be leaving the club as he takes up a job offer in Dubai FIFC manager Jay Saunders said: “Making these kinds of decisions on the players after a short time in charge is never easy – especially given the effort every player put in for us during those final weeks of the season I wish all those moving on the best of luck in their future careers “We’re working hard behind the scenes and I’m sure everyone will be happy with the new signings we make for next season which we will update supporters on as soon as possible.” Folkestone Invicta Football Club would like to give its thanks to everyone who contributed to the club throughout the 2024/25 season and we also wish those who have departed the very best in the next chapter of their careers A reminder that supporters can purchase their 2025/26 season tickets by clicking below 1st Team Manager Jay Saunders speaks to Invicta TV after his side fall 2-0 to Bowers & Pitsea in his first match in charge Get updates from The Developer straight to your inbox Yes, please! town and Harbour Arm has spearheaded the regeneration of this coastal town which was once a thriving ferry port Caroline Bennett speaks to locals with exclusive photography by John Sturrock Caroline Bennett is a socio-cultural anthropologist whose work addresses issues of conflict and violence “This place takes my breath away on a regular basis,” says Jackie who has lived in Folkestone for around four years She is walking with a group of locals down the zig-zag path in the Leas to the sea talking about the draw of the town and what makes it home We walk past the grassed amphitheatre at the bottom of the path through the gardens of the coastal park and along the seafront to Sandgate the regenerated arts and the community being built here but also the difficulties people are facing: Poor hospitals stratified education and not enough funding to support asylum seekers and others making Folkestone their home This small coastal town in eastern Kent – the closest point in England to France – with a population of just over 50,000 is becoming an increasingly desirable place to be Its proximity to London (less than an hour on the high-speed train) and the South Downs as well as France the creative community and the increasingly high-quality shops and food and drink venues are all playing a part in its resurrection as both a holiday destination and a place to live But Folkestone has a far more varied and interesting past than the focus on its recent development might suggest It is an important archaeological and geological site Flints found in 2010 indicate people have been active in the area for over 20,000 years while the most intact pre-Saxon skeleton yet to be recovered in the UK was found in Folkestone – it is now housed in the Folkestone Museum in the centre of town Folkestone has a long-established literary It has always been a place connecting the UK to the continent and beyond Constable painted Folkestone in the 19th century while in the Edwardian era it was one of the most desirable towns in the UK receiving regular visits from the king and other aristocracy one of the only sandy beaches within an hour of London and is the place with the most hours of sunshine per annum in the UK For some people I interviewed it is a town on the rise travel has always been part of Folkestone’s identity and princess of the Kingdom of Kent built a nunnery in Folkestone – the first in England – and a church later built on the site became a site of pilgrimage you could board the Orient Express at Folkestone Harbour the luxury rail route still ran via the town Salvador Dali arrived by boat into Folkestone for the UK book tour of his biography and many other people have arrived and left Folkestone via its harbour Ferries to Boulogne in France were once the town’s focus and Folkestone is the UK embarking point for the Eurotunnel from which you can be in France in 35 minutes On a clear day you can see France – the town is closer to France than it is to London (22 miles to Boulogne) one day as I search for fossils and sea glass on the beach at The Warren a text pops up on my phone welcoming me to France Several people I speak to miss the ferries a musician who has lived in the town on and off since the 1990s tells me about taking the ferry as a teenager just for a night out then get straight back on to continue the party Another interviewee tells me about travelling for lunch “It was only a few quid and it was great fun,” she says For some people this connection to the continent is the reason they came to the town partly because she has two children living in Belgium who she wanted to be able to visit more easily However with post-Brexit border rules increasing bureaucracy and rising fuel costs the continent has become less accessible in recent years Folkestone remains an attractive area for holidaymakers and tourists money has been invested in building new places to eat and drink and encouraging a variety of artistic pieces 13 per cent of businesses were related to tourism with the majority having less than nine employees – meaning Folkestone’s tourist industry is as much about the community as it is the money people are less resentful of tourism here than in many other places “I love that I live somewhere people want to come on holiday,” Nula remarks as we talk about the town Folkestone has a long history of welcoming those from afar over 100,000 refugees from Belgium arrived at Folkestone harbour and were housed in hotels and guest houses around the town stands on the disused tracks at the newly developed Harbour Arm During the Dunkirk evacuations in the Second World War nearly 35,000 troops and 9,000 refugees landed in the harbour the giant puppet created to celebrate human migration before continuing her journey across the UK as part of her 8,000-mile walk to raise awareness of the plight of asylum seekers and refugees People seeking asylum still come to Folkestone today Napier Barracks was commissioned by the Home Office as temporary accommodation for the 400 asylum seekers with daily management subcontracted to Nationwide Accommodation Services Both companies have seen large profits and continue to be commissioned by the government despite reports of the barracks being filthy impoverished and run like a detention centre This led to a High Court Judgement in 2021 that the home secretary’s decision to use the barracks was unlawful and irrational People I speak to are divided in their opinions on asylum seekers and refugees in the area “The boats are more visible here,” one person tells me referring to the small boats crossing the Channel from France although a large number of asylum seekers are housed in Folkestone the claims of small boats threatening peace in the town are exaggerated or downright made up “It does make some people feel unsafe,” one person tells me She thinks this is mainly down to cultural difference as well as structural inequalities in support services for newly arrived asylum seekers and other immigrants Everything written about this regeneration bangs on about all the places you can see or where you can eat but actually it’s the community that creates these connections.. It’s the staff and the locals that make it the 2nd battalion of the Royal Gurkha Rifles moved from Aldershot to nearby Shorncliffe and although parts of the camp have since been sold the size of the Gurkha community has expanded beyond the barracks and many Gurkha families have retired or moved into the area in Cheriton and surrounds The presence of the Gurkha community is a source of pride for some and contention for others their presence marks not only the multicultural embrace of the town but a shared military endeavour – one that is enshrined in the landscape of Folkestone in the form of a memorial to the Gurkhas on Sandgate Road This seems to be because the community both works hard to contribute to Folkestone and takes care of itself On a recent occasion when some younger people damaged some property the head Gurkha came down and asked to look at the CCTV so he could deal with the situation “They take care of their own issues,” a long-term resident tells me The military history of Folkestone is long was the training camp for the Duke of Wellington’s Light Forces and a staging post for the First and Second World Wars medical personnel and other workers travelled from Folkestone Harbour to the trenches of the First World War including members of the Belgian royal family arrived there before being housed in hotels and boarding houses in the area it is not only the Ghurkas who are stationed in Shorncliffe Since 2022 Folkestone and Hythe has been one of the areas at which the Ministry of Defence have been training Ukrainian forces – mostly ordinary people who have given up their jobs as bakers This current use has caused some disturbance whose family has lived in the area for many generations and who now lives close to training grounds outside the town told me that they hear gunfire and other noises from 7am until 10pm at night Immigration to Folkestone is not only international but also domestic increasing numbers of people have moved from London to Folkestone taking advantage of the cheaper house prices The growing number of DfLs (Down from London There are feelings that their arrival is driving up house prices and pricing long-term residents and local families out of the area a journalist of mixed heritage who moved to the town in 2021 tells me there is a race-based element to this “It was never as easy for people of colour to do the main consideration is where would be beautiful to wake up to what are the attitudes towards people of colour No one wants to uproot their lives and put down money in a house and then not be welcome.” She moved to the area after first coming to stay with her friend Rachel trusted their judgment on her safety and welcome I like that it’s regenerated to a point where it’s not boring I like that people are invested in the area so Daniel believes the mixed community makes Folkestone unique “Different people bring a different way of thinking” he says It’s the staff and the locals that make it – the ones who came here in between and built all this together; the locals that are starting businesses on the Harbour Arm and making things happen; and the DfLs who are coming here and going: I love this place; I want to have a business here.” In the 1820s and 30s a number of paintings of the harbour and surrounds were completed by Turner while Constable spent time in the town in 1833 the Art Treasures Exhibition – a travelling display of British fine art – was held in Folkestone which was later renamed the Pleasure Gardens Theatre before being demolished in 1964 the singer and guitarist Jimi Hendrix was a regular visitor primarily because it was the home of his bass player Noel Redding HG Wells lived in Sandgate between 1896 and 1909 The War of the Worlds and The Invisible Man This focus on all the arts continues to this day has hosted authors and poets including Benjamin Zephaniah continues the practice of literary openness such as the Leas Cliff Hall and 20th Century Speedway The willingness to support people’s ideas makes it safe and exciting there is space for all sorts of creativity and experimentation The community and the council are open to trying things out and giving them a chance a photographer who moved to the area a few years ago and lives in the town’s West End thinks this is part of what makes it a good place to live: The willingness to support people’s ideas and entrepreneurship makes it exciting: “It’s like This spirit of community is evident in the many annual events held in the town to the annual Living Advent Calendar: a series of events throughout December bringing community members together across the town Of particular note is the annual Charivari festival which has its inspiration in a much older European folk custom of rough music parades aimed at publicly shaming a local person deemed to have wronged the community in some way This public justice aspect has been dropped for the Folkestone version first held in 1997 and run by local arts organisation Strange Cargo it has become a central part of the annual calendar – a joyful event of several hundred costumed people parading the streets from the fish market to the Leas bandstand accompanied by local bands and other participants It may not have the public shaming element of historic Charivari parades but its other underlying aim – of helping solidify belonging and community by bringing people together through music and participatory parading – remains key Other Folkestone events include the women’s festival Take Up Space the arts festival Salt and Earth and the Folkestone Documentary Festival Being part of a creative centre makes Folkestone attractive to a wide array of people and other communities have subsequently grown up in the town who runs one of the shops on the Old High Street where she sells her artwork and textiles tells me one of the things she likes about Folkestone is that the community at large is warm and welcoming: “I’ve never felt like I’ve properly belonged anywhere But I feel like I belong here… The community is just so amazing Nula says: “Folkestone gives you freedom to flourish I think there’s a tremendous amount of love here.” I felt warmly welcomed by people across the town and every person I was with ran into other people they knew while we were walking I joined a local walking group for one of their weekly meetings We walked together through the coastal path and on to Sandgate where 20 of us sat for tea or hot chocolate before leaving each other to get on with our day Fabia tells me she recently joined a queer/LGBTQIA-plus-friendly sea-swimming group with over 190 members “We hang out and go swimming in the sea,” she says Part of what’s inspiring being by the sea is the vastness and the openness At the moment it’s all low level but what they’re planning – it’s just too much This openness does more than create spaces of belonging It encourages and engenders creativity as well Fabia says that since moving to Folkestone she has become more confident in both herself and her art It’s changed the colours she works with and she’s becoming bolder Jackie has restarted an arts practice that lay dormant for years she had stopped painting following the death of several friends she has picked up her brush again and in the last year has been part of three exhibitions in the town She tells me that her friend who was visiting had turned to her recently and asked: “How can you not make art here?” Others have been inspired by the seashore and the treasures that can be found there sea glass is abundant – remnants of a Victorian glassworks that once operated in the area Amateurs and professionals alike collect the glass and make it into art who lives in a flat in the Leas overlooking the sea green and white glass mixed in with fossils Folkestone’s arts-led regeneration is part of a wider trend across the UK notably with Margate’s Turner Contemporary gallery which opened in 2011 and the reopening of the Marlowe theatre in Canterbury that same year the drive has included an active investment in public art as well as subsidised rent for apartments and shops to attract creatives This has gone hand-in-hand with the revival of the Old High Street as the Creative Quarter the establishment of the Folkestone Triennial arts festival in 2008 and pubic exhibitions The latter is the UK’s largest urban collection of contemporary art in a free The high street regeneration is headed by Creative Folkestone one of several charitable bodies overseen by Roger De Haan who inherited the Saga group of companies from his father investing much of the proceeds into Folkestone’s regeneration Creative Folkestone was established in 2002 to try and bring back money and energy to the old town centre following the town’s decline in the late 1990s and 2000s The charity owns and runs over 90 buildings in the area which also includes the tallest climbing centre in the South East The skatepark offers £1 per month memberships to some school children in the area aged 5-15 and hosts girls/women-only sessions too Walking through the area on a sunny day in October it reminded me of Reffen Street Food Market in Copenhagen – all containers and hipster food; coming at that price too this is led by the Folkestone Harbour and Seafront Development Company De Haan purchased Folkestone harbour for £11m in 2004 with ambitious plans for two satellite university campuses and a marina for 200 yachts The original idea was scuppered by the 2007 recession and planning permission was granted for 1,000 homes in 2013 Development of the Harbour Arm has resulted in a vibrant area of hospitality and entertainment venues loved by many who visit it The disused rail viaduct and station platforms have been transformed into a walkway with plantings inspired by New York’s High Line It doesn’t feel as welcoming on an October evening when it was empty apart from me a couple of fishermen (sea bass and pollock – not so good this year) De Haan told The Guardian in August 2023 that he had already spent £100 million raised the level of the beach and refurbished the harbour arm to get it into its current state,” he said “It’s had immense investment and it’s immensely challenging and high-risk And now people criticise us for building on the beach But it never was a beach – it was half a mile of concrete and tarmac Some of the locals express concerns that the scheme’s coastal position could make it vulnerable to flooding however a spokesperson from Folkestone Harbour and Seafront commented: “The natural shingle beach at Folkestone is a very effective sea defence Shingle beaches act like a reshaping sponge when waves hit them … It is for that reason that the decision was taken to enhance this natural defence rather than build a seawall which would have been a more expensive and destructive option for what is a beautiful beach.” They added: “Regular beach level surveys check the health of the beach and determine if any work is required Works have already been completed in 2023 to reshape the beach and it is expected this will be necessary every two-to-four years.” Folkestone has no pier or seafront arcades it misses some of the rambunctious (some may say tawdry) feel of other seaside towns with their neon lights and buzz of liveliness a 200m-long pier opened at the bottom of the Leas a pavilion hosted events such as wrestling matches and beauty pageants and neglect in the austere years that followed the pier was eventually demolished in 1954 No remains were evident until June this year its foundation stone was located in a local salvage yard and moved to the Lower Leas Coastal Park a voluntary community working “together for the best future of the town” the boating pool … You always knew where the kids were because they were down there” was a vibrant amusement park at the foot of the Leas which remained until the early 2000s A Sunday market ran every week from the site Several people speak fondly to me of childhoods spent there while others bemoan the lack of places and provision for teenagers now it has gone About growing up and raising children in Folkestone the boating pool … You always knew where the kids were because they were down there.” The only thing left from the era is the Grand Burstin Hotel an over-sized building in the shape of a ship built on the site of the former Royal Pavilion The area where the Rotunda sat is now called the Shoreline and is part of the development that includes the Harbour Arm and the Shoreline housing development Shoreline has received much attention both architecturally and in the press It won Best Flat (under 100 residences) at this year’s Evening Standard New Home Awards and was highly commended in the British Home Awards In September The Guardian revealed that only 15 of the 84 already-built apartments and houses had been sold When I emailed Shoreline Folkestone to ask about this a spokesperson commented: “We are pleased with the progress of sales at Shoreline Our pace has picked up and we are on target for where we need to be with a development at this level of the market.” while houses in the development cost upwards of £1.25 million In an area where the average house price is £317,000 and the average annual income is £35,700 the properties do not seem to be aimed at locals got it all done up and then became a proper landlord It is not only the affordability of housing that is an issue Many people are disappointed in the lack of social housing built so far Folkestone Harbour and Seafront says affordable housing accounts for 8 per cent of its entire scheme and is in the plans for the new developments comments: “We’re all waiting for the housing market to pick up to enable the development to move forward.” It links to a wider dissatisfaction with the stratification of development in the town and a feeling of neglect from long-term locals and their families While the Harbour Arm includes an open-air cinema and numerous bars and restaurants There is little for teenagers to do and while many workshops are run throughout the holidays by Creative Folkestone and other organisations in the town The De Haan Charitable Trust reports that over £90 million has been donated to the area sports facilities and art – including the F51 skatepark community facilities have shut down for cost reasons Folkestone Sports Centre – run by a charity – closed at the end of July with an ongoing bidding process to take it on and reopen it The Folkestone Library closed in 2022 due to water damage deemed too costly to repair it was announced that library services will be moved to the former Debenham store due to the cost of fixing the historic building Bex outlines the issue directly: “We need more facilities and investment in the existing community – the ones who’re actually going to be here and making things affordable for kids during summer holidays You’ve got the skate park but not everybody can afford it.” It’s not only sports venues that are being affected by ongoing challenges related to cost a renowned musical venue that has been open for 26 years announced its closure at the end of the year Could this mark the start of a downturn of the town’s creative influx For some people rents increased by over 15 per cent this year “The landlord fulfilled his prophecy,” one person tells me “You get the feeling of the power of the sea and the enormity of it all but if they start building five and six-storey flats they are just going to close all of that down” Another concern brought up by locals is the lack of good-quality medical facilities.Folkestone itself only has an urgent treatment centre for minor injuries people have to travel to Ashford or Margate Given the continued reduction of funding to services like the NHS this is becoming increasingly difficult for those without cars Several of the medical facilities that do exist have been in special measures and Changes to parking regulations are also frequently discussed Removing the free parking and introducing permits may protect spaces for locals but it prevents low-income families from visiting beginning to stratify visitors as well as residents in the area there is concern that Kent’s 11-plus grammar school entrance exam creates educational and social stratification whose grandchildren live very close to her in town comments: “If you happen to be on the passing side I just hate the fact that some people are labelled at 11 Social stratification is evident in other ways across the town Several people talk about a noticeable divide Some of this reflects where money has been injected so far in Folkestone’s development: ie the Harbour Arm It also reflects the feeling expressed by several residents I speak to that the focus is on attracting tourists and wealthy out-of-towners rather than supporting those already there While some areas of Folkestone are well off “I just wish there was more input into the people already living here,” adds Bex “I always think it’s like Camden by the sea We have to stop looking to the past and be appreciative of people making efforts to take us forward There’s a lot of entrepreneurial spirit here and I think it’s gone far enough now that they can’t go back … It’s gathered its own heartbeat The elections this year showed a sharp political divide Traditionally Folkestone has been a safe Conservative seat since the 1950s when it was set up as a constituency The latest boundary changes in 2024 saw its size reduced slightly and in this year’s general election the seat was taken by the Labour candidate Tony Vaughan with both the Conservatives and Reform receiving sizeable numbers of votes many of the people that I meet are not adverse to development per se and actively support that already undertaken by De Haan most people I speak to appreciate what the influx of money has done for the town and understand that “Folkestone got really run down at the end of the nineties and then the 2000s,” Sarah tells me She was brought up in the town and moved away for university and work Since De Haan started investing in the Creative Quarter and the Harbour Arm it’s taken a real uptick.” While Sarah sees that some of its seaside charm has been lost (“because the amusements have gone”) it has transformed into something different “I don’t necessarily think that it’s better or worse says “It’s brought life back to the area.” It is the next phase of development that raises more concern Recently released plans include multistorey apartment blocks behind the Harbour Arm that stretch out along the seafront next to those already built There are fears new residents will further overstretch resources such as doctors and schools People are also concerned about the impact on this vast landscape of open sea and sky As Jackie comments: “You get the feeling of the power of the sea and the enormity of it all they are just going to close all of that down.” a long-term Folkestone resident who heads the residents’ association of the Bayle saying what’s planned “will stop something of the freedom At the moment it’s all low level but what they’re planning is just too much The restricted freedom extends beyond the vista Many of the new public areas are privately owned The walkway that runs from the Harbour Arm along the beachfront is a “permissive footpath” rather than a public right of way The 800m long Boardwalk made of railway sleepers that meanders across the pebbled beach is owned by the Folkestone Harbour and Seafront Development Company which has the right to remove people from the area The lure of the sea is critical to any seaside town Folkestone’s geography and topography  mean that a short walk out of town to the east takes you up the hills From here you can look over the English Channel and out to France – a vast this is one of the things he loves about the town Being able to look out over the Channel and across the white cliffs of Dover or back to the Downs provides a feeling of freedom “I didn’t know I needed that until I moved here,” he says who has owned a flat in the town for over 20 years calls Folkestone “iconic” “The wind’s in your hair and when you get back in the car The Warren is a 316-hectare Site of Specific Scientific Interest and a Local Nature Reserve The power of this status became clear in 2003 when the European Commission ruled that the planned Folkestone Horse – a 90m-long carving of a horse in the hills above the town – was unlawful the ruling was made on the basis of the detrimental effects to the area’s flora and fauna Created through landslides over many millenniums The Warren has long been heralded for its beauty as part of a year-long series for The Geologist stretches in romantic beauty its chains of hill and dale beneath the white cliffs that proudly life their lordly crests 500 feet above the singing waves below Who is there among us with a heart so dead as not to admire and delight in such a scene as this?” cliff-nesting birds and is said to be one of the best places to search for fossils in the south of England The Warren is a favourite place for locals and visitors alike Every person I speak to tells me to go and as I scramble over the slippery scrubland to get there It is part of what makes Folkestone special – particularly because it follows from a sandy beach and the urban centre “I think it’s quite a unique coastline,” says Daniel “Uniquely accessible and uniquely usable.” Does this uniqueness influence the wider changes or are changes part of what makes it unique “I always think it’s like Camden by the sea “When I first moved back to Folkestone from London “But now I’m so glad that I came back here Caroline Bennett is lecturer in social anthropology at the University of Sussex Ask your organisation to become a member, buy tickets to our events or support us on Patreon About usMedia packTerms & ConditionsPrivacy Policy Support us Login to your accountFollow us TwitterFind us on Instagram Get updates from The Developer straight to your inbox Become a member   © Festival of Place - Tweak Ltd. Invicta host Lewes for our final home fixture of the 2025/26 season We bring the curtain down on the 2024/25 Isthmian Premier Division season at the Alcaline Stadium on Easter Monday as Invicta welcome Lewes Monday will be our final fixture on the grass pitch at Cheriton Road balloon making and a magician at the Alcaline Stadium for Monday’s match Following the match we will be holding our End of Season Awards Presentation in The Dugout Sports Bar Awards will be presented to both out men’s and women’s 1st teams for the 2024/25 seasons Our women’s team will also be presented with their SECWFL Kent Division 2 East trophy Supports can vote online for Supporters’ Player of the Season and the Invicta TV goal of the season With Bowers & Pitsea already relegated the final 3 relegation spots at the bottom of the Isthmian Premier Division were settled on Saturday Hastings United & Hendon all failed to win while Dulwich Hamlet secured an injury time victory over Canvey Island all 3 sides still chasing the title won on Friday leaving them separated by 2 points with 2 games to go with Billericay Town and Horsham hoping to pounce if they slip Dartford will take on 2 sides in the top 10 with Cray Wanderers (a) and Carshalton Athletic (h) Billericay take on Canvey Island (a) and Cheshunt (h) who are both now safe from the drop while Horsham face relegated Bognor Regis (a) and 8th placed Hashtag United (h) Cray Valley need just 2 more points to secure themselves an away playoff spot while Dover and Chichester City battle to join them Dover sit 2 points above Chichester heading into Easter Monday with the 2 sides set to meet in Sussex on the final day of the season Ramsgate secured the Isthmian South East title on Friday with a 4-0 win at Hythe confirming their promotion to the Premier Division the playoffs have already been set with Sittingbourne to host Merstham and Margate to travel to Burgess Hill Town on Tuesday 29th April before the final on Friday 2nd May Brentwood Town are just 2 points from securing the Isthmian North title and promotion to the Premier Division Waltham Abbey have already secured a playoff place and Brightlingsea Regent need 2 more points to join them Bury Town and Felixstowe & Walton United Welling United joined Aveley in being relegated from the National League South on Friday with defeat at home to Maidstone St Albans City currently occupy the final relegation place in the National South Enfield Town need just 1 more point to secure another season at step 2 Jay Saunders spoke following our Good Friday defeat to Billericay: “I’ve just said to the boys really important for me now that they do their recovery look after themselves and we try and go out on a win in the last home game Obviously it’s been a tough season and it’s not ended the way anyone wanted at the club really important now we get a good attitude we take the positives from today and try and take them into Lewes obviously the pitch makes it difficult but we’ll look forward to it We’ll try and go out with a win and obviously it’s the last home game on the grass at the ground so it’s really important for me that we go out with a positive result.” You can see the full interview with Jay here: Invicta are likely to head into Easter Monday with a similar squad to that which travelled to Billericay on Good Friday Manager Jay Saunders said defender Joel-Michael Odeniran has an “outside chance” having been on the bench but not featured at Billericay Lewes had a flying start to the season that saw them top of the Isthmian Premier Division in mi-October after 10 games but a poor end to 2024 saw The Rooks drop into mid-table with home and away 3-1 wins last season and a goalless draw on Boxing Day this season Lewes made the trip to the Alcaline Stadium on Good Friday last season Jay Saunders will be coming up against his successor as Tonbridge Angels manager on Monday with Craig Nelson due to take over at Longmead Stadium at the end of the season Nelson joined Lewes from SCEFL side Glebe last summer after leading them to the playoffs Lewes top goalscorer Danny Bassett looks set to miss the match having received an 8-month ban from the FA but Shae Hutchinson has stepped up to the mark in recent weeks and comes into the game having found the net in his last 2 appearances The 24 year old is a product of the Norwich City academy and has previously featured for Braintree Supporters can pay on the gate for this fixture or purchase online in advance from our online ticket shop Charlie Prescott and Adrian Dawkes from Seasiders Radio will be there to bring you live radio commentary from the Alcaline Stadium The Dugout Sports Bar will be open from 11:30am Food and refreshments will also be available from the food truck inside the stadium located between The Dugout and the Folkestone Bowls Club building We have four fanzone bars around the ground serving draught beer one beside the tea hut window and one beside the disability shelter The Dugout Sports Bar will be open from 11:30am showing all of the days live sport A new era begins at Alcaline Stadium as Jay Saunders takes charge of his first fixture as 1st Team Manager A new era begins at Cheriton Road on Saturday as Jay Saunders takes charge for the first time as Folkestone Invicta 1st Team Manager Jay will be joined in the dugout by his management team of Lloyd Blackman and Tommy Parkinson the trio beginning work this week at the Alcaline Stadium Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the passing of Paul Sykes who passed away aged just 28 after collapsing on the pitch during Invicta’s ill-fated Kent Senior Cup semi-final against Margate A minutes silence will be held before kick off. You can read more here. Saturday’s opponents Bowers & Pitsea have already been relegated from the Isthmian Premier Division and could be joined by both Bognor Regis Town and Hastings United this weekend Bognor Regis will be relegated should they fail to beat Dulwich Hamlet who also sit just above the drop-zone knowing defeat coupled with a win for Dulwich at Bognor would also see them relegated Billericay and Horsham have all secured at least a playoff spot and are chasing the title with just 2 points separating the 3 clubs The race for the playoffs took a twist this week after Cray Valley PM were deducted 3 points for fielding an ineligible player Chatham Town and Carshalton Athletic all remain in contention for the playoffs with 4 games remaining Ramsgate could be crowned champions should they beat Three Bridges and Sittingbourne lose to East Grinstead Burgess Hill Town have secured a playoff spot and Margate will join them with just a single point from their final 4 games Beckenham Town and Three Bridges all remain in contention for the final spot Aveley have already been relegated from the National League South Welling United face the same fate this weekend travelling to Hampton & Richmond where a defeat coupled with wins for both Enfield Town & Salisbury Jay Saunders joined us this week for his first interview as he got to work at the Alcaline Stadium Nathan Green will serve the final match of his 4-match suspension on Saturday for his sending off against Chichester City last month Midfielder Brad Walledge has been recalled to the squad from Kennington for the remainder of the season hard season for Bowers & Pitsea who were relegated back to the Isthmian North Division last month after just one season back at step 3 Bowers have been in the bottom 4 since November and rooted to the bottom of the league since early February They come into the weekend without a win since Christmas and having lost their last 11 games The sides shared the points with a 2-2 draw when we travelled to the Len Salmon Stadium earlier in the season Dan Smith and Evans Kouassi on the scoresheet for Invicta Bowers have only visited Cheriton Road on 2 occasions and are yet to leave with a win Invicta ran out 4-1 winners with Ade Yusuff and Ian Gayle among the scorers Joe Flowers and Luke Wilson took over as joint-managers of Bowers & Pitsea at the start of 2025 following the departure of James Collins Flowers had previously been a part of the management team that won promotion to the Isthmian Premier Division back in 2019 under manager Rob Small with 126 appearances and 24 goals for the club is a pacey winger who Jay Saunders will know well having worked with him at Tonbridge Angels Addy was on the books of Crystal Palace and Luton Town as a youngster before joining Tonbridge and has more recently turned out for fellow Isthmian Premier Division side Lewes Folkestone Pride is set to take over the seaside town for a vibrant celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community The day will kick off with a colourful parade through the town The parade will conclude at The Leas Bandstand with a free family-friendly event featuring live music and drag shows hosted by Folkestone-born Dita Garbo The event will feature local stalls offering arts and crafts The festivities will wrap up with an official after party at The Leas Cliff Hall Channel Suite featuring DJs and entertainment to keep the celebration going into the night said: “We’re thrilled to bring Pride back to Folkestone for yet another year We’re so lucky to have such a thriving LGBTQIA+ community and recognising that now feels more important than ever "Our aim is to bring everyone together in a display of solidarity We hope this year’s event will be one of our most diverse and fun-filled yet introducing new acts to our line-up for the very first time "Our small team of volunteers are working very hard to bring this event to life, and we can’t wait to celebrate with everyone in July.” Alongside the main day, Folkestone Pride runs a variety of fundraising and awareness events throughout the year that can be found on their social media and website here Tickets for the after party will be available soon Folkestone Pride will return to the town on Saturday Find out more about things to do in Kent with our free What’s On email HERE. Invicta finish on a high at the Alcaline Stadium Folkestone Invicta brought the curtain down on the season at the Alcaline Stadium marking the final game on grass after almost 100 years of football at Cheriton Road with a win against the visitors from Sussex Jay Saunders was pitting his wits against Craig Nelson who is due to succeed him as Tonbridge Angels manager at the end of the current season Invicta made 3 changes from our Good Friday defeat at Billericay Town Ade Yusuff and Miquel Scarlett all dropping to the bench and Joel-Michael Odeniran Dan Smith and Matthias Fanimo coming into the XI Dan Smith feeding Evans Kouassi who forced a good save from Toby Bull with a low effort from a tight angle inside the first minute Shae Hutchinson diving to the byline to thread a ball across the face of goal Marcus Sablier tapping home from inches out It took Invicta just 36 seconds from kick off to restore parity at the other end Joe Turner worked the ball wide to Fanimo on the right the wingback finding a ball into space behind Lewes left back Peter Ojemen for Evans Kouassi who pulled it back from a tight angle only for the outstretched leg of Hamilton Antonio to turn it inside the far post Thankfully there were no “ghost goal” shenanigans Andy Morris on hand to fix the issue as he was serenaded by the crowd in the stand behind the goal Having returned from injury to start in Invicta’s back 3 Odeniran was unfortunately forced off after just 25 minutes to be replaced by Nathan Green Just a few moments after the change Invicta struck to take the lead Turner laid the ball in behind Ojemen for Brad Walledge the young midfielder turning the Lewes fullback before poking to ball back into the path of Turner to fire home from 10 yards out Matthias Fanimo saw a shot from distance comfortably saved while Amadou Kassaraté headed wide from 6 yards Invicta’s best chance to extend the lead before we headed in for half time with a 2-1 advantage At half time the players from Folkestone Invicta Women took to the pitch for a lap of honour having secured the SECWFL Kent Division 2 East title in their inaugural season The girls are currently preparing for the Kent Divisional Cup Final against Lydd Town at Maidstone United’s Gallagher Stadium on Thursday 15th May The second half brought that “end of season” feel with it until Invicta managed to reassert themselves midway thorugh the half Turner and Kouassi both saw shots blocked before a deep cross from Turner to the back post evaded Bull to find Dan Smith who was unable to get a decent purchase to turn it goal bound Substitute Ade Yusuff twisted his fullback to get to the byline his cutback ending up at the feet of Kassaraté who took aim from range but failed to hit the target Invicta had the ball in the net from a corner with about 15 minutes remaining but long after the whistle had gone for a foul somewhere in the penalty area Bobby Unwin came closest to stealing a point for the visitors with a left-footed effort from the edge of the penalty area that narrowly missed the top corner Invicta then went close to a third at the other end substitute Miquel Scarlett with what looked like a cross from the right that nearly snuck inside Bull’s near post A big goal kick from Jonny Henly was the final ever kick on the grass pitch at Cheriton Road as the referee brought the afternoon to a close sealing a first win for Jay Saunders and his management team Following the action on the pitch we held out End of Season Awards Presentation in The Dugout Sports Bar both both our senior men’s and women’s teams Keep an eye our for more info on our winners The match was sponsored by the Invicta Meldrews who raised £575.60 for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association and the British Heart Foundation Evans Kouassi was selected as Man of the Match Invicta now set our sights on Saturday’s trip to Cray Valley PM who have secured a 4th place finish and will visit whichever side finishes third on the following Wednesday in the playoff semi-finals We wish to thank all those who attended Easter Monday and all those who have attended the Alcaline Stadium this season An average attendance of 937 in the Isthmian Premier Division and a total season’s attendance of 20,775 are the highest figures in the club’s history We look forward to being able to welcome supporters back for the start of the new season in August Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. United Kingdom according to Time OutWe’ve just named the top 15 destinations to visit in Britain this year Stumped for ideas of where to visit in the UK this year? Worry not. Here at Time Out we’ve just published our list of Britain’s most essential places to explore in 2025 featuring 15 destinations ranging from blossoming city neighbourhoods and remote islands to real-life movie sets Our list features a massively diverse range of places all anchored by the fact that 2025 is the year they should be on your hit-list – whether that’s because they’re the next biggest thing or will be hosting huge and noteworthy events The Kent seaside town is as vibrant as ever exciting restaurants and characterful pubs In July Folkestone will welcome the return of its prestigious triennial which will see the town filled with public art with a theme centred around its geology and geography.  In 2025 the Potteries will mark 100 years as an official city street theatre and more to properly celebrate the occasion The Stoke100 celebrations will also be a just great excuse to visit Stoke which is world-famous for its ceramics and boasts museums factories and outlet stores – and much more.  Also making the cut are the likes of Orkney (which will host the 2025 International Island Games) Bradford (which is the UK’s 2025 City of Culture) and the Cornish village of Newlyn which currently has a burgeoning food scene Find Time Out’s full list of the UK’s top 15 places to visit in 2025 here Did you see that 18 British record stores have been crowned the ‘greatest in the world’ Plus: The UK’s best pub has been crowned for 2025.  Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country.  Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! About Us Contact us A former hotel in Folkestone is set to be transformed into emergency and supported housing for people experiencing homelessness, after being given the green light by Folkestone & Hythe District Council a local charity that supports vulnerable people has been given the go-ahead to repurpose the Hamlet Hotel on Shakespeare Terrace there are on average 25 people sleeping rough in the centre of Folkestone He claims the facility would provide essential support and stability to those in need helping them rebuild their lives and work toward permanent housing At the council’s planning meeting on March 18 Central Ward councillor Liz McShane acknowledged concerns from local residents given the centre’s location in a residential area Cllr McShane asked the Rainbow Centre to clarify how the concierge service would be staffed how space within the centre would be allocated and what measures would be in place to minimize excessive noise Cllr Nicola Keen described the project as a “wonderful proposition” She added: “I’ve been out for several years and met people living on the streets I met a man a few weeks ago who’d been living in accommodation and had to leave He deserves a home same as the rest of us.” highlighted the urgent need for emergency accommodation in the area He assured the meeting that the centre would have staff on-site around the clock He said the Rainbow Centre had successfully run a winter shelter for 14 years including the last four in a hotel near the seafront without any incidents needing police intervention for noise He said the selection process ensures residents are not “people lying drunk on the streets all day” and made it clear that anyone causing disturbances or engaging in criminal activity would be ‘thrown out’ These are people that are down on their luck “I quite often go around chatting to people who are sleeping off asking them ‘how did you get here?’ And it can be anything from losing a job to the landlord selling underneath them to a family breakup.” Neighbour Philip Carter spoke against the application citing Central Ward’s high levels of antisocial behaviour - 35 incidents in a year - as well as 96 noise complaints and rising reports of violent and sexual offences Councillor Polly Blackmore voiced strong support for the project saying it aligned with the council’s Homelessness Prevention Strategy She said since the closure of Kent County Council’s facilities there were no other provisions for single homeless individuals in the district Cllr Jennifer Hollingsbee said: “I know how hard the rainbow centre have worked over the last two or three years I think there is no doubt about it that the hotel accommodation that people visiting this district want is much more upmarket or of different quality and I think to use a building like this for people who require accommodation can only be a good thing.” The planning committee unanimously approved the proposal New Folkestone Invicta 1st Team Manager speaks to Invicta TV Saturday mark's the 20th anniversary of Paul Sykes' death April 12th is the 20th anniversary of the tragic night when Paul Sykes passed away aged just 28 after collapsing on the pitch during Folkestone Invicta’s ill-fated Kent Senior Cup semi-final against Margate After being treated on the pitch by Invicta physio Dave Williams and his Margate counterpart John Griffin Paul was taken to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford where he was pronounced dead (which was later classified as due to a form of Sudden Death Syndrome) An estimated 600 people attended his funeral with 250 or more outside the church in Buckland Paul’s family have organised a Memorial Fundraiser for the Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) charity this weekend with signed Dover Athletic Folkestone Invicta and Margate shirts available for auction Invicta subsequently pulled out of the Kent Senior Cup competition in 2005 so that two of Paul’s former clubs Margate and Dover Athletic could meet in the final played at Cheriton Road so that all three clubs could pay tribute to him A fundraising match dubbed “The Syko Challenge” later took place at Margate’s Hartsdown Park in April 2006 brothers and uncle will attend Folkestone Invicta’s home match against Bowers & Pitsea on Saturday afternoon Invicta manager that night was Neil Culgey who this week described it as “the saddest day of my life in football and something that you never expect to happen at football You often get asked what are your best and worst moments in football and that will always be the worst The club has always tried to remain close to the family where it can and to support any fundraising initiatives for CRY over the years to preserve Paul’s memory New Folkestone Invicta manager Jay Saunders had been a team mate of Paul as youngsters at Gillingham and then as part of Chris Kinnear’s highly successful Margate side “My memories of Paul date back to when he was on YTS at Gillingham and he was always the joker in the pack at whatever club he was at He was a top person to be around and I remember that fateful day so clearly as I had spoken to him earlier that day and couldn’t believe it when I later heard the sad news I remember the response from the football community then and he will live long in the memory – all those that knew him will understand why he will never be forgotten.” Affectionately known as “Syko”Paul played for Kent Schools as a youth before joining Gillingham as a trainee scoring 15 goals for Gills youths during the 1992-93 season He remained at Gillingham until the end of the 1994-95 season and then joined Welling United for the 1995-96 season when he also had a loan spell at Folkestone Invicta Paul became one of Chris Kinnear’s first signings at Margate for the 1996-97 season and the next season was part of the Margate side that lost 2-1 at home to Fulham in a F A Cup First Round tie shown live on Sky Sports He scored 32 goals in 1997-98 as Margate won both the Kent Senior Cup and Southern League Cup Paul was then top goalscorer as Margate won promotion to the Southern League Premier Division in 1998-99 He suffered a ruptured knee ligament injury during March 2000 and returned in a November 2001 Kent Senior Cup tie at home to Bromley After a February 2002 loan spell at Herne Bay he joined Dover Athletic in August 2002 with a loan spell at Dartford that November He joined Dartford permanently in August 2003 and then Folkestone Invicta in November 2004 Towards the end of his life Paul had been joint manager of St Margarets Under 15s – both Folkestone Invicta and Dartford have subsequently awarded a Paul Sykes Trophy to their youth team’s top goalscorer / outstanding young players Get your ticket to all the action at the Alcaline Stadium next season We are delighted to be able to confirm matchday admission and season ticket prices for the 2025/26 Isthmian Premier Division season Academy & Disability teams will also continue to have free entry to men’s 1st team fixtures Season tickets will offer the best value for money for those wishing to see all the action at the Alcaline Stadium next season Season ticket holders will save approximately 25% in comparison to supporters attending all 21 Isthmian Division fixtures a total saving of approximately 1/3 across the season Our EarlyBird offer will be available until Friday 30th May with season tickets on sale until Monday 30th June as a sign of appreciation of the dedication and loyalty of our current season ticket holders those wishing to renew their season tickets can do so at a 10% discount on the price paid for their 2024/25 season ticket supporters who purchased an EarlyBird season ticket for the 2024/25 season for £196 will be able to purchase their 2025/26 season ticket for just £176 Existing season ticket holders should have received communications regarding their renewals. Supporters who have not received communication are asked to check their junk/spam folder,  to contact tickets@folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk Season ticket holders will be contacted via our ticketing provider with their ticket available to purchase online. Supporters who wish to purchase their ticket in person at The Dugout Sports Bar are asked to contact tickets@folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk This offer will be available until 23rd May We are delighted to be able to offer supporters the opportunity to enjoy the all 21 Isthmian Premier Division fixtures in style at the Alcaline Stadium Supporters will be greeted with complimentary food and drink a pre-match talk from 1st team manager Jay Saunders & will be able to watch the action from the comfort of Cugley’s Lounge in the the Wilf Armory building Disabled supporters will be able to purchase an additional hospitality season ticket for a carer at half price While all season tickets will be available digitally supporters will have the option to purchase a season ticket card Cards will be available to collect from The Dugout Sports Bar before the start of the 2025/26 season supporters will be contacted once they are available for collection Online sales are available NOW to all supporters. Supporters will also be able to purchase their season tickets in person at The Dugout Sports Bar. Those wishing to purchase in person are asked to contact tickets@folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk to arrange a suitable time DON\u2019T MISS THIS YEARS ALTERNATIVE GIFT GUIDE Get the \u2018cene CULTURE SHOT straight to your inbox on each release By using this website, you agree to our T&C\u2019s, privacy policy & use of cookies. We use analytical data to provide you with an enjoyable experience and to help our website run effectively Folkestone Harbour is gearing up for an exciting 2025 season with the arrival of seven new food and drink traders This will bring the thriving community of businesses to 67 - from mouthwatering smash burgers to fully-loaded sandwiches Nepalese street food to indulgent ice cream creations Knowing You – Local Comfort Food with a Gourmet Twist Location: Harbourside Square (Indoor Seating Available) Run by Clint Davies and Lizzie Batchelor, Knowing Meat, Knowing You is all about locally-sourced ingredients and elevated comfort food made with ingredients from independent Kent producers Lizzie had this to say about why they chose Folkestone Harbour "The street food scene in London is really hard to get into there are lots of people trying in quite a small space.  Then when we came here you could see the energy in what was going on at Folkestone Harbour... But the vibe here is to support independent businesses.  You get that from the Harbour and you get that from the visitors to the Harbour." Evolving from On Le Grill, Cluck & Cow is a premium street food hut offering handcrafted smash burgers said, "When it's sunny it's just mad down here But I want people to enjoy the quality of what we produce too so all our meat is sourced locally from family-run butchers.” – Statement Sandwiches with Local Ingredients From the team behind Barney & The Pizza, Vinnie’s brings bold indulgent sandwiches made with locally sourced ingredients from Fern & Farrow and Docker Bakery Expect slow-cooked meats infused with beer and cider and the option to turn your sandwich into loaded fries for the ultimate comfort food fix Barney Howard said this about operating at Folkestone Harbour, "If you go to other places around the coastline you don't find the variety of food on offer as we have here The site is big enough to entertain many people with many different food and drink options.” The Mompling House – Nepalese Street Food Arrives at the Harbour Location: The Goods YardFor the first time ever, visitors can enjoy authentic Nepalese street food at Folkestone Harbour. The Mompling House run by brother and sister team Bikash & Srijana Gurung will serve up steamed and fried momo dumplings bringing fresh flavours and a taste of Nepalese culture to the seaside Bikash said, "We are really looking forward to being here.  We have worked a lot internationally and eaten a lot of street food.  Food is important to us and our skills and recipes have been taught us by our parents and grandparents.  Our food here at the Harbour will be as authentic Nepalese as possible and we can't wait to share it and our culture with you." Baked & Loaded – The Ultimate Potato Experience Location: The Goods YardCelebrating the humble potato in all its glory from gooey melted cheese to smoky BBQ pulled pork this exciting new concept brings locally sourced Kent potatoes to the table ensuring every bite is packed with flavour Shelby is looking forward to being a part of The Goods Yard she said, “I'm really chuffed about being able to start my own business here so bring on the sun and let's get those spuds ready!" Slices by Barney – Giant Pizza Slices for the Promenade Location: The Harbour ArmBarney and The Pizza is stepping out of the Goods Yard and expanding onto the Harbour Arm with Slices by Barney Choose from classic options like Margherita and Pepperoni or go for something unique like the Mrs Perfect for grabbing a slice while soaking in the sea views Barney is great supporter of Folkestone Harbour he said: “Folkestone Harbour really is the best destination; the parking is right here and such a choice of food and drink venues on site.  It means you can come and visit again and again and try something new each time." Bubbles & Cones (formerly The Dessert Folkes) – Ice Cream & Bubble Tea Heaven Location: Platform 4, The Harbour ArmWith a brand-new look and name, Bubbles & Cones is your go-to for bespoke ice cream Choose from 32 flavours of ice cream and sorbets build your dream dessert at the topping station General Manager of Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Company said: “We are thrilled to welcome these fantastic new traders to Folkestone Harbour Each business brings something fresh and exciting to our burgeoning food scene offering locals and visitors even more reasons to visit From bold street food flavours to indulgent sweet treats the variety and sheer creativity of the line-up this year is truly outstanding.” Folkestone Harbour offers a variety of entertainment and leisure experiences making it a must-visit destination for locals and visitors alike: Free Cinema – Every Friday night at 7pm from 2nd May with everything from cult classics such as Grease or Dirty Dancing to new blockbusters like Wicked or Barbie No ticket required—just bring a blanket and enjoy Free Live Music – Every Weekend from 5th April there will be at least 2 live music performances featuring some Kent’s best bands and artists From 2pm – 4pm on the Harbour Arm and 4pm – 6pm in Harbourside square affordable activity that’s great for all ages—whether it’s a weekend challenge with the kids or a casual game with friends The Board Room – A hidden gem for competitive socialising offering a relaxed hangout spot beyond the usual bar scene Folkestone Marketplace – A buzzing hub of over 35 creatives makers and artisans open their doors to their little shops by the sea and stunning views across the English Channel Folkestone Harbour continues to cement itself as one of the UK’s top seaside destinations For more information, visit folkestoneharbourarm.co.uk and follow Folkestone Harbour on Instagram for the latest updates independent and multi-award winning magazine which focuses on sub-cultures in-and-around the county of Kent ‘cene endorses those who use their ideas and originality to revive the creative landscape of the South-East high-quality content and an approachable tone ‘cene continues it’s drive for inclusivity in the subjects and delivery of it’s free-to-take printed magazines and online platforms Get the ‘cene culture shot for updates on local offers Also don’t miss when the latest print edition is available to pick up or buy We won’t share details with third-party companies other than the Auditing Bureau of Circulation for proof of ‘cene’s annual circulation figures We may also send interesting updates about our partner’s news Please check your inbox to verify your email address We will keep you posted on all the good stuff Kent has to offer KENT PRESS & BROADCAST AWARDSMAGAZINE OF THE YEAR 2023Magazine of the Year 2022Magazine of the Year 2020Magazine of the Year 2019Magazine of the Year 2018Design of the Year 2017 SALES : +447510 066 610EDITORIAL + STUDIO © 2017-2025 CENE MEDIA LTD | All rights Reserved | All content on this website is not to be copied or distributed | ‘cene® and KEEPITKENT® are Registered Trademarks of CENE MEDIA LTD A SPACED AGENCY WEBSITE Tim Dixon to take charge of upcoming home fixtures Folkestone Invicta can confirm that Tim Dixon has been appointed as interim manager following the departure of Andy Drury Tim played for Folkestone joining in the 1996/97 season – and has a wealth of experience “His experience and knowledge of the team will be invaluable throughout this transitional period.” Tim takes charge for the next two home fixtures with preparations underway for tomorrow’s match against Chichester City at the Alcaline Stadium The club has begun the process of appointing a permanent manager and further updates will be communicated in due course Jay Saunders appointed Folkestone Invicta 1st team manager Folkestone Invicta Football Club is thrilled to announce the appointment of Jay Saunders as the club’s new first-team manager Jay arrives at the Alcaline Stadium on a four-year deal with an enormous amount of experience in non-league football He joins from National League South side Tonbridge Angels – where he came close to securing a play-off spot in his debut season – and has since solidified their place in the division Jay’s expertise and success is also evident from his seven-year stint at Maidstone United where he took the club from the Isthmian South East to the National League with three promotions in just four seasons I’d like to thank our supporters for their patience during this period “It’s no secret Jay has been on my radar ever since I became involved with FIFC just over 18 months ago He’s done a tremendous job in all of his previous roles and is hugely respected in the game “I’m really excited for this new chapter under Jay’s leadership This is a long-term project and his pedigree aligns perfectly with the club’s ambitions and vision “If this season has shown us anything it’s that relying solely on experience in a squad isn’t the answer With our new academy set to launch in September and further developments within our youth system we’re committed as a club to building a pathway for the next generation and we want our squad to be reflective of that “Jay adopts the same mindset and sees this as a vital element in the progression of players here at the Alcaline “The ideal scenario would be for Jay to get started immediately but we of course need to be respectful to Tonbridge Angels and their search for a new manager Jay will be joining at the end of this campaign ready to kickstart our next one with a strong preseason.” Jay joins with his equally experienced assistant managers from Tonbridge Angels Jay Saunders said: “I’m really excited by the opportunity to lead this great club and push them forward “Josh’s plans for Folkestone Invicta are really ambitious so it was hard not to buy into them “There’s a lot of work to be done on the pitch and myself and my management team will do all we can to get a team together that you fans can be proud of “I’d like to thank the club for this opportunity and I look forward to meeting everyone soon.” Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances Jay will be unable to join chairman Josh Healey for tonight’s fans forum at The Dugout Sports Bar from 6:30pm A later date for supporters to meet the new manager will be announced in due course The club would like to thank Tonbridge Angels FC for their co-operation 6-0 win sees Folkestone Invicta Women into their first ever cup final Folkestone Invicta Women are into their first ever cup final beating Sittingbourne Ladies 6-0 in the SECWFL Kent Divisional Cup semi-final on Sunday afternoon causing the hosts trouble out wide from open play but the first goal of the afternoon came from a throw as fullback Molly Surridge looked for Chloe Lloyd only for a defensive header to send the ball into the middle of the penalty area where Hayley Turrell turned and fired into the bottom corner after 14 minutes Sittingbourne squandered the chance to level the score in the 35th minute 10 racing onto a ball over the top and beating Invicta keeper Aaliyah Singh only to see her effort head wide Invicta made The Brickies pay with a spell of 3 goals in just 5 minutes 39 seconds Chloe Lloyd collected a pass from Nyah Commons just inside the Sittingbourne half and raced away down the right before firing high into the net from a tight angle to double the lead Just 2 minutes later Commons and Lloyd combined for the former to deliver a cross high into the penalty area the Sittingbourne defence allowing it to bounce before Rebekah Goodhand headed into the bottom corner for 3-0 Half time was fast approaching but Commons wasn’t finished delivering another cross from the right that found Turrell who scooped her effort high over the goalkeeper seemingly taking an age to come down under the crossbar to leave invicta 4-0 up heading into the break forcing a couple of saves from Aaliyah Singh but if the tie was still alive Turrell killed it off when she completed her hat-trick shortly after the hour mark Invicta’s top scorer caught a Sittingbourne defender in possession and raced through on goal rounding the keeper before rolling the ball into an empty net from the edge of the penalty area Lloyd came close to grabbing her second on a number of occasions but she picked up an assist in stoppage time to set up Turrell for her 4th of the afternoon Lloyd fed Turrell on the edge of the penalty area a perfectly-placed effort bending over the keeper and in off the underside of the crossbar Invicta progress to the final where they will face Lydd Town Ladies who beat Hollands & Blair Reserves 3-2 after extra time The sides have met twice so far this season in Kent Division 2 East The final is scheduled for Thursday 15th May at Maidstone United’s Gallagher Stadium We will issue details on tickets in due course 1st Team Manager Jay Saunders speaks to Invicta TV Title chasing Billericay take the win after handball controversy at New Lodge Invicta returned empty-handed from Essex on Good Friday bemoaning a penalty decision (or lack of) but with 1st Team Manager Jay Saunders happy with what he saw from his side against potential Isthmian Premier Division champions Billericay Town The manager made just 1 change from his first game in charge with Nathan Green returning from suspension in place of Matthias Fanimo Invicta reverting to a back 3 with Frankie Morgan deployed as a left central defender Invicta’s bench was boosted by the returns of Dan Smith and Joel-Michael Odeniran Brad Walledge firing over from a tight angle inside 2 minute Nathan Green firing low across the face of goal a few minutes later while the hosts were limited to a couple of blocked shots Joe Turner took on set piece duties and almost created the first big chance of the afternoon with a free kick from wide on the left on 26 minutes Billericay goalkeeper Sam Donkin forced into action at the back post to keep the ball from the head of Ade Yusuff Evans Kouassi then fired over from the resulting corner Gavin Hoyte headed wide from a corner on 35 minutes as the hosts appealed for a foul wasn’t given If anyone would be disappointed to go in level it was Invicta who carved out 2 chances just before the break Yusuff and Kouassi linked on the break to create a chance for the former to fire just over at the near post Into stoppage time Miquel Scarlett threaded a ball through a number of blue shirts to find Joe Turner on the edge of the penalty area but the midfielder was only able to force Donkin into a save with his feet The moment that may have defined the afternoon and potential the title race came inside the first minute of the 2nd half working a crossing opportunity for Morgan that forced Donkin to punch only as far as Kouassi the Invicta forward fired his effort beyond the keeper only to find the arm of Billericay defender Jay Porter on the goal-line Despite strong appeals from the pitch and the bench a penalty Billericay forced a first save of the afternoon from Jonny Henly on the hour mark Tyrell Miller-Rodney hitting a driven effort from 25 yards out Invicta dealt with the first corner short and then cleared the 2nd but the hosts maintained the pressure eventually feeding Bradley Williams to drive a low ball across the 6 yard box for Frankie Merrifield to turn home from close range Invicta hadn’t given up on throwing a spanner into the works of the Isthmian Premier promotion battle Brad Walledge almost forced his name into the voting for goal of the season with an effort from near 30 yards that fizzed just past the top corner of Donkin’s goal But Invicta were soon punished for not taking chances ironically Porter the man to deliver the low cross this time Merrifield doing well to beat Morgan to the ball to turn home another from close range Williams forced another good save from Henly before Kouassi and substitute Dan Smith found the target without testing Donkin Substitute Moses Emmanuel was on the end of the chance to kill off the game with a few minute remaining getting the ball back from Charlie Panton as the hosts countered quickly but unable to keep his effort down and striking the stand rather than the net Invicta were unable to punish the miss however Turner shooting wide in injury time as handfuls of the 1,436 crowd were beginning to make their ways to the exit Invicta were left to pick themselves up for Easter Monday’s final home fixture of the season against Lewes before travelling to Cray Valley PM on the final day of the season Invicta travel to Hertfordshire on Non-League Day 2025 Invicta make the trip to Cheshunt on Saturday looking to make it back-to-back wins following last weekend’s 1-0 win over Whitehawk With the Premier League and EFL Championship on international break Cheshunt will be raising money for Prostate Cancer UK and collecting donations for Broxbourne Foodbank Gate will open at 11am with a pre-match game from Cheshunt Youth at midday You can find out more on Non-League Day by clicking here. Goalkeeper Jonny Henly will be available for selection following a 1-match suspension for sending off in the win over Bognor Regis Town Left back Nathan Green will begin a 4-match suspension having been dismissed during the 1st half of our defeat to Chichester City Invicta will take to the pitch in our red & white away colours Invicta have just 1 win from our last 6 meetings with Cheshunt and are without a win in our last 3 visits to Theobolds Lane Invicta’s last away win against Cheshunt is a 3-1 FA Trophy win in 2016 Ashley Miller and Ian Draycott on the scoresheet After a difficult start to the season saw Craig Edwards depart with Cheshunt sitting in 21st in the Isthmian Premier Division Mel Gwinnett took over later that month and has lifted The Ambers to a steady 15th position 12 points clear of safety with 7 games remaining Following the departure of the long-serving Craig Edwards in October Cheshunt appointed Mel Gwinnett as their new manager Mel has held roles as a goalkeeping coach at Exeter City and MK Dons assistant manager at Stevenage and Barnet before taking on the top job at Hampton & Richmond where he lead them to within a point of the National League South playoffs before departing in the summer 23 year old midfielder Antonis Vasilou is currently Cheshunt’s top goalscorer this season with 15 in 36 appearances Antonis featured against Invicta last season during a spell at Margate scoring a late equaliser in our 2-2 draw at Hartsdown Park in the FA Cup After coming through as a youngster at Barnet he joined Wingate & Finchley in 2022 before moving to Kent a year later moving on to Cheshunt after a short spell in Thanet Charlie Prescott and Adrian Dawkes from Seasiders Radio will be there to bring you live radio commentary from Cheshunt Always check rail times/strike action before you travel Theobolds Grove is the closest station to Chehsunt Stadium London Overground services from Liverpool Street station depart twice an hour with services departing Liverpool Street 10 times an hour Supporters can save by purchasing online for this fixture Invicta welcome Chatham Town to the Alcaline Stadium We welcome Chatham Town to the Alcaline Stadium for our final home Kent Derby of the season Invicta are looking to make it back to back home wins having beaten Whitehawk 1-0 at the Alcaline Stadium a fortnight ago Catch up with the highlights on Invicta TV The Isthmian Premier Division saw its first relegation last weekend with Bowers & Pitsea’s 4-0 defeat to Cray Wanderers confirming their drop to the Isthmian North Division Bognor Regis Town could become the second side to drop should they lose away to Whitehawk and both Canvey Island and Dulwich Hamlet win their games at home to Hendon and Dartford respectively Aveley could be the first side relegated from the National League South this weekend The Millers host Torquay United needing to better Salisbury’s result against Tonbridge Angels to avoid confirming a return to the Isthmian League after 2 seasons in the National League South Nathan Green will serve the 2nd match of his 4-match suspension for his dismissal against Chichester City Jack Jebb and Marvel Ekpiteta will miss the game through injury while Dean Rance remains a doubt Following playoff final defeat to Enfield Town in May Chatham had a stuttering start to the 2025/26 season that saw them in 16th after 12 games An unbeaten run of 11 games lifted The Chats into 4th place by December but after beating Invicta 4-1 at the Bauvill Stadium a run of just 2 wins in 11 has left Kevin Hake’s side 8 points adrift of the playoffs with 6 games remaining Even if the playoffs are a distant possibility Kevin Hake’s side will travel to Aveley next month for the Velocity Cup final looking to retain the trophy they won last season against Billericay Town It’s been nearly 10 years since Invicta last recorded a win over Chatham Ian Draycott scoring the only goal in a 1-0 Ryman South win in December 2015 The Chats have won all 5 meetings between the sides since then including wins in the FA Cup and Kent Senior Cup Chairman Kevin Hake took on the role as manager prior to the 2021/22 season following the departure of Scott Lindsey Hake lead The Chats to promotion from the SCEFL as runners-up to Sheppey United before winning the Isthmian South East Division the following season and nearly made it 3 consecutive promotions last season before losing in the playoff final to Enfield Town Former West Ham forward Freddie Sears struck twice against Invicta back in December and remains Chatham’s top scorer with 22 goals in 41 appearances in all competitions 4 goals in 3 league fixtures so far this month have helped Chatham return to form and kept them just about in the hunt for 5th place Invicta will need to keep Sears off the scoresheet on Saturday Two men have been charged with attempted murder following a report of a serious assault in Folkestone. Kent Police was called to a home in Firs Lane at 10.45am on Friday (April 4) As KentLive reported yesterday a man in his 50s sustained "serious injuries including one consistent with a stab wound" He was taken to a London hospital where police said he remained in a stable condition Four men were arrested on the day of the attack Both men were remanded in custody to appear before Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Monday Officers are continuing to appeal for anybody who witnessed the assault or who has any information which could assist the investigation, to call Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting 46/56294/26. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111 or by using the online form Join our new WhatsApp community! Click this link to receive your daily dose of KentLive content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice You can see the latest crime and court news from Kent in our free newsletter here. Invicta TV coverage from the Alcaline Stadium Folkestone Invicta F.C. Ltd. Registered in England. Company Number 04243803. Majority shareholder Addington Leisure Ltd. Invicta welcome Whitehawk to the Alcaline Stadium Invicta will be looking to bounce back on Saturday as we welcome Whitehawk to the Alcaline Stadium. Goalkeeper Jonny Henly will miss Saturday’s match having been sent off during the win at Bognor Regis Town, with Folkestone Invicta Academy goalkeeper Dan Kennedy set to deputise. Nathan Green will be available despite having been sent off on Tuesday night, with his 3-match suspension due to start against Cheshunt the following week. Invicta will hope that Luke Allen will return after missing the last 2 matches through injury, but fellow midfielder Jack Jebb will be a doubt having come off at half time on Tuesday evening. Whitehawk were rooted to the bottom of the Isthmian Premier Division table when Invicta visited the south coast in November, but the return of promotion-winning manager Shaun Saunders saw an upturn in form (starting with that 1-0 win over Invicta) that has lifted The Hawks to 17th, 9 points clear of the bottom 4 with 8 games to play. Invicta are 4 games without a win against Whitehawk (in 90 minutes) with the Sussex side taking 4 points last season and a late 1-0 win back in November. Invicta progressed on penalties in an FA Trophy tie in 2022 but out last win over the The Hawks in normal time was in 2019, shortly before their relegation to the Isthmian South East Division. Highlights from last season’s meeting at the Alcaline Stadium are available on Invicta TV Shaun Saunders lead Whitehawk to promotion via the Isthmian South East playoffs in 2023 and a 9th place finish in the Premier Division last season before stepping aside in the summer. With Whitehawk rooted to the bottom of the table in November, Saunders returned to the club and has lead them towards safety. 18-year old forward Harry Bridle joined Whitehawk in January on a work experience loan from Gillingham and has very quickly fired himself to the top of the goalscoring charts with 10 goals in 14 appearances. 8 of his goals have come at The Enclosed Ground but Bridle has proven he knows how to find the net in east Kent having scored the opening goal in their win at Dover last month. Supporters can pay on the gate for this fixture or purchase online in advance from our online ticket shop. Charlie Prescott and Adrian Dawkes from Seasiders Radio will be there to bring you live radio commentary from the Alcaline Stadium. The Dugout Sports Bar will be open from 11:30am, with the Dugout Kitchen open for food. The Dugout accepts both cash & card. Food and refreshments will also be available from the food truck inside the stadium, located between The Dugout and the Folkestone Bowls Club building. We have four fanzone bars around the ground serving draught beer, Guinness, water and soft drinks. 2 bars are adjacent to The Dugout, one beside the tea hut window and one beside the disability shelter. These bars are CARD ONLY. The Dugout Sports Bar will be open from 11:30am showing all of the days live sport, including: Lilly Subbotin finds stormy skies strong cocktails and surprisingly good pizza in Folkestone the Channel Tunnel’s forgotten neighbour – and wonders if it’s time we all took a second look Those expecting to leap off the train at Folkestone Central and be met with sea air, sandy beaches and quirky beach huts will be a little disappointed. It hasn’t quite got the visual panache of some other seaside towns – the walk to the centre encounters a fair few betting shops, fast-food chains and B&Bs crying for a lick of paint What you will be met with, however, is a clue. A large declaration in capital letters that “Folkestone is an art school”. I later learn that the town is home to 74 artworks in its outdoor Folkestone Artworks exhibition, from the likes of Tracey Emin making it the largest urban outdoor contemporary art exhibition in the UK An area that slipped into decline in part due to the opening of the Channel Tunnel in 1994 Multimillionaire Roger De Haan has spent more than two decades investing millions in the town through his charitable trust and his development company the Folkestone Harbour and Seafront Development Company the first phase of a 1,000-home mixed-use development which will stretch for nearly a kilometre along the town’s beachfront These luxury homes haven’t been met without controversy with locals questioning the need for high-end flats in a place desperate for affordable housing and while there’s no questioning that the curving almost Dubai-like building looks out of place against the somewhat dilapidated backdrop once inside you do see it for the haven it is The view of the waves lapping at the beach from the living room alone is reason enough to visit – for those who can afford it Famous artists and dramas with one of the UK’s richest men aside as always I’m far more interested in what there is to eat and drink At the time Storm Eowyn was giving us a good beating and we needed to take shelter somewhere cosy and pubby before cocktails The Pullman did just the trick; there’s nothing like the combination of burning logs candlelight and freshly poured Guinness when the weather outside is frightful Had I known just how strong the drinks would be at The Potting Shed the 1920s-inspired speakeasy complete with password and secret door The very classic cocktails are crafted with top-notch ingredients – you won’t find any pornstar martinis or spicy margs here – but the old-fashioned flourishes feel fun rather than contrived There’s even a little theatre when our barman swirls the vermouth around the glass tableside only to chuck the excess straight on the floor Three drinks later and we managed to stumble back in one piece Quite a feat considering the main path back to Shoreline is a slightly treacherous set of steep steps down to the beach Waking up feeling a little foggy and in need of a dose of caffeine and sugar gooey chocolate brownie and pastel de nata later and we were ready to face the day I had to refrain from ordering one of their ginormous foccacia sandwiches but that’d have rather interfered with lunch Located on Folkestone Harbour and run by brothers Ned and Charlie, Brewing Brothers mixes sea views, wood-fired pizza and craft beer The room is a real sun trap and there’s loads of seating outside ’nduja and hot honey atop lovely leoparded crusts is just right A charming place to while away a few hours; and it’s family and dog-friendly So for those going to Folkestone, check out the art (or don’t, it’s there to be taken in or ignored at your discretion), definitely get drinks at the Potting Shed and grab some food at Rocksalt. It may not be a Brighton or a Margate, but this little town has bundles of charm, a strong independent streak and some interesting history worth delving into. And good pizza. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies {"adUnitPath":"71347885/_main_independent/in_life-style/in_food-and-drink/image/gallery_mpu_sb","autoGallery":true,"disableAds":false,"gallery":[{"data":{"title":"folkestone-main","description":"Food in Folkestone","caption":"Stormy weekend essentials: Rocksalt’s rack of lamb and Brewing Brothers’ wood-fired pizza Stormy weekend essentials: Rocksalt’s rack of lamb and Brewing Brothers’ wood-fired pizza