News

GAZETTE THANKED FOR LEAS LIFT SUPPORT  

Dear Ed,

We are deeply indebted to the Hawkinge Gazette, and Kentish Express, who both highlighted our fund-raising appearance beforehand regarding the need for restoration of the town’s unique Step-lift carriage at the bandstand’s grand re-opening on Friday December 15th.

The public gave a clear mandate that they do not consider the carriage, awaiting restoration, a low priority, as some do, because they contributed a total sum of £235.50p. What beautiful people to ensure that their town’s heirloom moves a step closer to being renovated and returned to the front of the Leas lift lower building, mounted on a section of track, as a tourist attraction.

Personally speaking, I have never taken an armchair approach, and never will, to our town’s surviving history that our ancestors left behind for the benefit of the people.

For anyone else who might like to contribute to this worthwhile cause, we would remind readers that the 1890 Leas lift step carriage restoration appeal group is a privately funded charity, and donations can be made to HSBC Bank account number 21433784, sort code 40-21-15.

Father Christmas has most certainly given triple early gifts to Folkestone by first delivering the lifting equipment by Millennium Lifting Ltd at a cost of £3,400 absolutely free, secondly Charles Hewitt, specialist in transportation, who waived the £800 low-loader fee, and thirdly, the public who opened their hearts on Friday evening by donating so generously!

May we offer special thanks to Captain Mark Rose of the Salvation Army who mentioned the lift carriage twice during the bandstand concert which certainlly advanced the cause.

With such encouragement near the end of 2006, what a beautiful way to bring in the new year, 2007, for the town’s Step-lift carriage campaign ahead.

Merry Christmas to all your online readers,

Robert Mouland, 

on behalf of the group
Castle Hill Avenue
Folkestone