Folkestone Dispatch
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Stories about life in Folkestone. A weekly newsletter of independent journalism, direct to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign up now, it only takes a minute
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🎉 Thank you to everyone who has joined us on this journey to build sustainable, independent local journalism for Folkestone.
Join us today: folkestonedispatch.substack.com/subscribe
Join us today: folkestonedispatch.substack.com/subscribe
January 27, 2026 at 10:21 AM
🎉 Thank you to everyone who has joined us on this journey to build sustainable, independent local journalism for Folkestone.
Join us today: folkestonedispatch.substack.com/subscribe
Join us today: folkestonedispatch.substack.com/subscribe
This week's Dispatch is out now...
🏊🏻 Sports Centre pool: £2.4m sought to fund work needed to reopen to the public
Plus: Town centre could yet be home to new medical centre, and discount retailer lodges plans for new supermarket
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
January 21, 2026 at 8:38 AM
This week's Dispatch is out now...
Thank you to those who have already donated to our 2026 fundraiser for our charity of the year, South Kent Mind
Could you spare a few pounds to support this important cause? Every little helps...
Could you spare a few pounds to support this important cause? Every little helps...
Folkestone Dispatch supporting South Kent Mind
Help Folkestone Dispatch raise money to support South Kent Mind
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January 20, 2026 at 10:22 AM
Thank you to those who have already donated to our 2026 fundraiser for our charity of the year, South Kent Mind
Could you spare a few pounds to support this important cause? Every little helps...
Could you spare a few pounds to support this important cause? Every little helps...
We are delighted to name South Kent Mind as our charity of the year. Find out how you can help support this great cause...
🤝 We reveal our charity of the year for 2026
Plus: Clean-up continues after Storm Goretti batters coast, and anger grows over plans for future of town's library
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:36 AM
We are delighted to name South Kent Mind as our charity of the year. Find out how you can help support this great cause...
Because we've been enjoying the Christmas break and trying to avoid any exertion where possible, this week's newsletter is a look back on the year...
🗓️ Looking back on 2025 in Folkestone
These are just some of the stories we have brought you since launching back in April
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Because we've been enjoying the Christmas break and trying to avoid any exertion where possible, this week's newsletter is a look back on the year...
🎄 Wishing all our readers a very merry Christmas!
🎄 Wishing you a very merry Christmas
Thank you to all our readers for your support in 2025!
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 10:32 AM
🎄 Wishing all our readers a very merry Christmas!
This week's newsletter is out now...
🍇 Award-winning Terlingham Vineyard has its future secured by takeover
Plus: Prolific meat thief jailed after stealing spree, and former rugby international helps raise thousands for local sports charity
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:16 PM
This week's newsletter is out now...
In this week's Dispatch we visit the Folkestone Rainbow Centre to hear about the winter shelter and how it helps change the lives of homeless people in our town
🛌🏻 Winter Shelter: ‘All of us are probably only three steps from homelessness’
Plus: Witnesses sought after man attacked in early hours, and plans for six-person HMO submitted to district council
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:57 PM
In this week's Dispatch we visit the Folkestone Rainbow Centre to hear about the winter shelter and how it helps change the lives of homeless people in our town
This week's Dispatch is out now...
👷🏼♀️ Women in construction: ‘Follow your passion and challenge stereotypes’
Plus: Rapist who repeatedly targeted victim is jailed, and Folkestone Invicta face huge top-of-the-table clash
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:42 PM
This week's Dispatch is out now...
In this week's newsletter we speak to the founder of Folkestone Fellas about loneliness, connection and the importance of having someone to talk to in times of trouble…
👋 Folkestone Fellas: ‘We have a very clear mission to tackle the problem of men’s loneliness’
Plus: Further demonstrations expected at Napier Barracks, and senior Creative Folkestone figure to step down next year
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:47 AM
In this week's newsletter we speak to the founder of Folkestone Fellas about loneliness, connection and the importance of having someone to talk to in times of trouble…
This week's newsletter is out now...
🚧 Road of Remembrance closure to drag on into third year with no clear plan for reopening
Plus: MP criticises government plans for stricter rules for asylum seekers and refugees, and child predator jailed after attempting to meet boy for sex
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:55 AM
This week's newsletter is out now...
This week's Dispatch sees us look ahead to the festive season in Folkestone. Apologies if you think November is far too early for this sort of thing!
🎄 Christmas in Folkestone: Your guide to what’s on in town this festive season
Plus: Portion of former Debenhams department store hits the market, and pub burglar jailed after Spoons break-in
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:58 AM
This week's Dispatch sees us look ahead to the festive season in Folkestone. Apologies if you think November is far too early for this sort of thing!
In this week's Dispatch we speak to two of the organisers of the Folkestone Illustration Festival, which kicks off this week...
🎨 ‘We want to help people pursue a creative career—and get paid for it’
Plus: Sports Centre pool could reopen next summer if funding secured, and teens charged with robbery after alleged mugging
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:41 PM
In this week's Dispatch we speak to two of the organisers of the Folkestone Illustration Festival, which kicks off this week...
This week's Dispatch sees us track down a piece of railway history in a field outside Folkestone...
🚆 Tracking down a unique part of Britain’s railway history in a field outside Folkestone
Plus: Napier Barracks now expected to close this year, and drink-driving suspect arrested after crash involving car and van
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 11:01 AM
This week's Dispatch sees us track down a piece of railway history in a field outside Folkestone...
Reposted by Folkestone Dispatch
Today marks six months of the @folkestonedispatch.substack.com. Our free subscribers received a special offer to celebrate this milestone, and lots of these wonderful people have taken the plunge and paid a not insignificant amount for an annual subscription
October 23, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Today marks six months of the @folkestonedispatch.substack.com. Our free subscribers received a special offer to celebrate this milestone, and lots of these wonderful people have taken the plunge and paid a not insignificant amount for an annual subscription
Currently a free subscriber to the Dispatch? Check your inbox for a limited-time offer...
October 23, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Currently a free subscriber to the Dispatch? Check your inbox for a limited-time offer...
Reposted by Folkestone Dispatch
Ahead of next month's Budget, we are asking independent businesses in Folkestone for their views on the economic outlook for 2026 and the challenges facing traders in the town.
Complete the survey here: tinyurl.com/FDbusinesssurvey
Complete the survey here: tinyurl.com/FDbusinesssurvey
October 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Ahead of next month's Budget, we are asking independent businesses in Folkestone for their views on the economic outlook for 2026 and the challenges facing traders in the town.
Complete the survey here: tinyurl.com/FDbusinesssurvey
Complete the survey here: tinyurl.com/FDbusinesssurvey
In this week's Dispatch we speak to the co-founder of the Folkestone Documentary Festival - which returns to @folkestonecinema.com this week
🎬 Folkestone Documentary Festival returns for five-day celebration of storytelling
Plus: Appeal for information after woman's death, and views of local independent businesses sought ahead of Budget
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:06 AM
In this week's Dispatch we speak to the co-founder of the Folkestone Documentary Festival - which returns to @folkestonecinema.com this week
Ahead of next month's Budget, we are asking independent businesses in Folkestone for their views on the economic outlook for 2026 and the challenges facing traders in the town.
Complete the survey here: tinyurl.com/FDbusinesssurvey
Complete the survey here: tinyurl.com/FDbusinesssurvey
October 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Ahead of next month's Budget, we are asking independent businesses in Folkestone for their views on the economic outlook for 2026 and the challenges facing traders in the town.
Complete the survey here: tinyurl.com/FDbusinesssurvey
Complete the survey here: tinyurl.com/FDbusinesssurvey
In this week's Dispatch we report on @fstonehythedc.bsky.social plans to tackle the rising cost of homelessness...
🏠 £5 million investment proposed to tackle soaring cost of homelessness
Plus: Statue of St Eanswythe no longer headless, and service held to honour contribution of Gurkhas
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:21 AM
In this week's Dispatch we report on @fstonehythedc.bsky.social plans to tackle the rising cost of homelessness...
This week's Dispatch is out now...
🐶 Dog owners march on council over ‘draconian’ rules and ‘sham’ consultation
Plus: Council probed on continued use of Elon Musk platform X, and Greggs set to open new branch in former town centre bank
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
October 8, 2025 at 7:55 AM
This week's Dispatch is out now...
In this week's Dispatch we visit Folkestone mosque ahead of this weekend's @muslimcouncil.bsky.social Visit My Mosque open day...
🕌 ‘Islamophobia is through the roof, it’s not a nice time to be a Muslim’
Plus: Anti-immigration protest at Napier Barracks met with large counter-demonstration, and Invicta handed big FA Cup away day
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 11:16 AM
In this week's Dispatch we visit Folkestone mosque ahead of this weekend's @muslimcouncil.bsky.social Visit My Mosque open day...
September 29, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Thank you to everyone who has chosen to support us by becoming a subscriber. It's free to join our mailing list, and only takes a moment
If you believe Folkestone needs and deserves a strong, independent source of local journalism, why don't you join them?
folkestonedispatch.substack.com/subscribe
If you believe Folkestone needs and deserves a strong, independent source of local journalism, why don't you join them?
folkestonedispatch.substack.com/subscribe
September 25, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Thank you to everyone who has chosen to support us by becoming a subscriber. It's free to join our mailing list, and only takes a moment
If you believe Folkestone needs and deserves a strong, independent source of local journalism, why don't you join them?
folkestonedispatch.substack.com/subscribe
If you believe Folkestone needs and deserves a strong, independent source of local journalism, why don't you join them?
folkestonedispatch.substack.com/subscribe
In this week's Dispatch we pay a visit to a Folkestone charity doing amazing work with adults living with disabilities...
🌾 ‘We know the work we do has a massive impact on people’s lives’
Plus: County council decides there is no climate emergency, and water workers discover dumbbell is cause of sewer-blocking 'fatberg'
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
September 24, 2025 at 12:05 PM
In this week's Dispatch we pay a visit to a Folkestone charity doing amazing work with adults living with disabilities...