Tourism [1]: Folkestone doesn't need a bell ringing out when it stands alone in the midst of a desert of tourism [2]
Posted by editor on Jul 01, 2011 - 09:50 AM
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They have
indeed already created a masterpiece of their own making along the
seafront, albeit one that is totally devoid of the thousands of tourists
which this town craves…. it is a desert.
Once again I believe they are not listening, despite the public
consultations held last year. I am sure Peter and the Creative
Foundation do believe in the positive benefits of art, derived from the
current nationwide emphasis on its ability to regenerate.
It seems every region in the UK now has a contemporary gallery or a
special festival of art. That we will inherit a legacy of long term
exhibits is a positive result from the Triennial.
But, this has to be seen in the cold light of day. Do these individual
pieces add up to a proper collection or will they end up a hotchpotch of
loony ideas and just so much more street furniture?
This town deserves more investment of a real and tangible kind. Art is
fine for those with the time and money to enjoy subjective discussions
on the merits of one artists ideas…. ‘coffee table art’.
The Town Centre Management team are making huge efforts to entertain and
encourage visitors by arranging various festivals and events., but they
are starved of the basic funding to make each event anything more than
can be seen at any village fete.
We haven’t even got a proper tourist centre and until 2010 this town
could not even afford any new Christmas lights to make the shopping
centre worth visiting. An absolute disgrace.
It is simple things like that which raise the spirits of the local
population, not a bell ringing out the fact that it stands alone in the
midst of a desert of tourism.
However, to end on a positive note, the harbour is indeed improving year
on year and recent investment is obviously going to reap the benefits.
Thank goodness the recession wiped out the Folkestone Harbour Company
master plan to demolish one of the few remaining things worth saving in
this town .. its character.
Listen and learn… next, we need a funfair …. we really need a proper
holiday funfair, with as many bells and whistles you can get.
Yours
Fred
Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast
News 2011©
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Comments
I am deeply saddened at the news of the vandalism of the new harbour exhibits on the opening of the triennial.
Whatever the individual opinions on the various merits of the triennial, there is no excuse for this act. I hope the Creative Fundation continue to invest in the area in the hope of making it a better place for all.
However it does highlight the other issues affecting this town, which need just as much investment i.e. entertainment facilities for the younger members of our society which are just as urgently needed, as I already mentioned.
Fred, we do listen! There's plenty of chance for people to have their say on the Fokestone seafront issue - thousands of local people took part in the consultation last year and there's a new round based on feedback coming this autumn. See www.folkestoneseafront.com for details. Interestingly, although fun fairs featured on the wish list, they were near the bottom. Time has moved on - the Victorians and Edwardians didn't look excusively to the past for inspiration when building Folkestone, and surely it's not right to do so now.
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen how many additional people come to Folkestone this summer because of the Triennial, but the evidence so far appears to suggest it's a phenomental success. Be bold.
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