News

Story by Robert Mouland

The late Victorian unique step-lift carriage galvanised water tank sadly no longer has water pumped into it — it is donations from the community which are pulling it slowly but surely up towards restoration. Incidentally, for the benefit of readers, the British galvanizing industry was using 10,000 tons of zinc a year for the protection of steel in 1850.

The carriage at the top of the Leas in 1912

Yet again, Folkestone’s community showed their support at a recent clairvoyance evening which raised £572.00p, and they also continue to support the carriage’s restoration at the group’s stall continually selling vintage postcards at Folkestone’s Sunday Market, courtesy of the superintendent Mr Paul Emden.

The group would like to thank all those people who contributed their time and efforts so freely to make the clairvoyance evening a runaway success.

Thanks must also go to The Masonic Hall, Christian Spiritualist Church, its President Mrs Margaret Blake, and Church guardians and, of course, two excellent mediums, who both gave a stunning presentation, Madams Sue Pollard and Pat Underdown, who both contributed their fees to the communities’ project.

The clairvoyance evening certainly lifted the spirit of the carriage!

The Appeal’s bank account details for donations are, Account No: 21433784, Sort Code: 40-21-15. Our website page is at www.leaslift.org.uk.

We would like to mention how very grateful we are to the Hawkinge Gazette for their continuing faith in the restoration team’s efforts to achieve our objective. The total amount we have raised so far is £14,500. Our target is £25,000.