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

22 May 2008

Last Thursday I called in at the opening of a new waiting room at the New Romney station of the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway.

It was a pleasure to see the provision of a new facility which can be used not only by patrons of the railway, which is one of our best and most enduring tourist attractions, but also by the wider community.

Then I paid a brief visit to the exhibition which was being held at The Leas Club in Folkestone to give people an indication of the development which is proposed for the site. Views on the development will inevitably differ but at least the developers deserve some credit for giving us the opportunity to see what they have in mind.

It did not take me long to get to the venue for my third event of the evening which was also on The Leas at The Grand. This was the opening, which I was privileged to carry out, of the Folkestone Art Society’s Exhibition.

This is the 80th Anniversary of the founding of the Society – by thirty or so local residents who met in each others’ homes.

It has made great strides in the intervening years and both the quantity and quality of the exhibits this year were a real testament to its healthy condition. The quality of the works on display was truly outstanding and it was a real pleasure to inspect them all.

We tend to be oblivious to the talent and abilities of our friends and neighbours. This exhibition, in addition to its many other qualities, is a reminder of the huge amount of talent which thrives in our midst. So the exhibition is truly a matter of celebration. There is still time to see it. If you haven’t already been along, I strongly urge you to go.