News

Dear Editor,

The future restoration of the 1890 time structure, the step lift carriage heirloom, is a step closer to becoming a reality as £513.00 came through the door of the Masonic Hall, which was most generously provided as the venue for Monday's Evening of Clairvoyance. This money now safely deposited in our bank account (No: 21433784, Sort Code: 402115).

Awaiting restoration

The Masonic Hall, guardians of Folkestone’s Christian Spiritualist Church, our excellent medium Pat Underdown, and not forgetting the general public have all constantly provided their hospitality, most generously, over and over again. From our hearts and minds, we send to you all our profound thanks for making this such a runaway success again!

As treasurer of the 1890 Step Lift Carriage Restoration Appeal group, we do not intend to allow this carriage to go to any other position, once restored, than its rightful home of the Leas Lift site where it first came in time for the 1890 August Bank Holiday where passenger numbers using both sets of cliff lifts totalled 8,444, bringing in for the shareholders a total of £40.00, a colossal sum of money in those days.

International coach builders, Edward Hills, based in Castle Street, Dover and Tontine Street, Folkestone, who constructed this step carriage was unable to personally make spiritualist contact through Pat Underdown on Monday. However, I am sure he was looking down on the proceedings with admiration that his original unique structure is going to be saved for the benefit of future Folkestonians and tourists alike.

May we also take this opportunity to wish all Gazette Online viewers a jolly merry Christmas, and a healthy 2009!

Should anyone wish to visit our official website, the address is www.leaslift.org.uk.

Robert Mouland