Folkestone literary festival kicks off

We've got tickets on the way for a few events including David Starkey and Terry Jones, get yours at www.folkestonelitfest.co.uk/:

We have carefully put together nine days of eclectic and exciting world-class authors and performers to entertain you. These sessions will thrill, entice and provoke debate.

Starting with the super-sized History Weekend (2nd-4th November) organised in association with Canterbury Christ Church University, join us for talks on a whole host of topics including Monarchy with David Starkey, Great Tales from English History with Robert Lacey and London in the 19th Century with Jerry White.

New this year we have two days focusing on the environment (9th & 10th November). Examine the state of the globe through specially curated exhibitions (Burning Ice by Max Eastley and David Buckland of Cape Farewell at The Metropole Galleries) and talks by Eugenie Harvey co-author of Change the World for a Fiver and Kate Evans creator of Funny Weather. Enjoy a variety of award winning films including Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth and DV8 Physical Theatre’s The Cost of Living.

We are pleased to welcome David Frost speaking about the momentous drama behind the book Frost/Nixon, Roy Hattersley on life between the wars in Borrowed Time plus Nicholas Parsons’ own inimitable performance, How pleasant to Know Mr Lear. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

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The Folkestone People's History Centre to hold 'Dig for History' event

The Folkestone People's History Centre, run by Canterbury Christ Church University, is giving Folkestone schools and local people the opportunity to learn more about the early history of Folkestone.

A three-day history weekend workshop, called "Dig for History!", has been organised by the University in conjunction with Kent Libraries and Archives, and will take place from Thursday 12th October to Saturday 14th October.

The event will see key stage two pupils from Cheriton, Morehall, St Eanswythe's,
St Martin's and St Mary's Primary Schools, all from Folkestone, take part in a range of activities including an archaeological reconstruction and the chance to handle Roman artefacts. This will take place between 10am and 4pm on Thursday 12th October and Friday 13th October.

"Dig for History!" will also include a series of evening events for local people. On Thursday 12th October, there will be an opportunity to hear about the most up-to-date account of Anglo Saxon and Norman Folkestone. Canterbury Christ Church University's Pro-Vice Chancellor (Dean of Arts and Humanities), Dr Paul Dalton, will give a talk on: "Folkestone and its Lords in the First Century of Norman Rule." This will be followed by Kent County Council's Finds Liaison Officer, Dr Andrew Richardson, who will give a presentation on: "Anglo Saxon Kent and Folkestone".

On Friday 13th October, Canterbury Christ Church University's Phd student, Carol Moran, will give a talk on: "Homer and History: Archaeology and Greek Myth".

Both events will take place at 7pm at Folkestone Library. Tickets for these events are £2 and are available at Folkestone Library, and include wine and light refreshments.

The climax of the history event will be a free joint "Family Archaeology Day" and "Finds Day" on Saturday 14th October at Folkestone Library. Visitors will get the opportunity to handle artefacts and learn about medieval Folkestone through a wide range of displays and models. Local people will also get the chance to have their 'finds' identified and talk to archaeologists from Canterbury Archaeological Trust and Kent County Council.

A Roman Folkestone Exhibition will also be on show at The Folkestone People's History Centre, 67, The Old High Street, Folkestone, throughout October.

Head of the Folkestone People's History Centre, Dr Lesley Hardy, said: "This workshop provides an exciting opportunity to meet with professional archaeologists and historians. We are delighted to be working with local people to discover together the early history of the town."

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Folkestone before 1500

The Folkestone People's History Centre is inviting local people to take part in an exciting new heritage project called "A Town Unearthed: Folkestone Before 1500".

Residents of Folkestone and the local media are invited to find out about the project at a presentation, 'Archaeology and Community' to be presented at 6.30 pm in the Sassoon Gallery, Folkestone Library. A Town Unearthed' is a
five year archaeology project which seeks to explain and record the early history of the town. The project will focus on a number of sites around the town and it is hoped that the community, schools and local groups will play an important role in the rediscovery of the ancient history of the town and participate in a range of activities including 'test pits surveys', field walking, re-enactment days, guided site visits and archaeological open days.

The Folkestone People's History is run by Canterbury Christ Church University and has the support of The Creative Foundation, Shepway District Council, Folkestone Town Council, Kent County Council Arts and Libraries, local schools, historians and archaeological services.

Canterbury Christ Church University's Dr Lesley Hardy, heads up The Folkestone People's History Centre. Dr Hardy said: "Folkestone is rich in
archaeological remains dating back to the Bronze Age and the project proposes to uncover and
record the fascinating early history of the town. We very much welcome the participation of the public at every step of the way and we are sure
that anyone with an interest in archaeology, history or the origins of the town will
want to take part."

The evening will begin with a presentation by local archaeologist Dr Andrew Richardson and will be followed by a discussion. Refreshments will be
available.

If you would like to attend please contact The Folkestone People's History Centre at 67, The Old High Street, Folkestone, or telephone 01303
850614.

2007 :: Comment / reply