News

Howard's Way.... a weekly column from the Rt. Hon. Michael Howard QC. MP. 

7 February 2008

It is not often that we find Folkestone occupying the whole of the front page of the Financial Times – especially the Life and Arts supplement.

Such was the accolade we received last weekend and since most towns would give their eye teeth for such coverage we should welcome it – even if the facts seemed to be tailored to the author’s preconceptions, not an unfamiliar phenomenon.

The general line seemed to be that the kind of regeneration we are experiencing, with cultural development at its heart, was very risky and in danger of developing a rift between “cultural” newcomers and longstanding residents.

I think this is a fanciful thesis. Folkestone has a long and honourable cultural tradition and the new developments such as the Creative Quarter, the Creative Foundation and the University Centre have been widely welcomed.

There is also widespread recognition as, to be fair, the article did point out, that we are very fortunate to have a benefactor in the person of Roger de Haan, who is the mainspring of these developments and who is prepared to invest so much in our future.

A couple of weeks ago I visited our two new academies, in Folkestone and New Romney. There is no doubt in my mind that they will help safeguard and enrich our future by opening up to their pupils the kind of opportunity which is within their reach. I was very impressed with them both.

So though I don’t agree with the fear expressed in the Financial Times article, I welcome the publicity it has given us. I’m sure there will be more as time goes on.

And as long as we, local residents, have self-belief and confidence in the strengths of our area, the future can be very exciting indeed