Folkestone Dispatch
@folkestonedispatch.substack.com
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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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...
This week's Dispatch is out now...
🎭 Folkestone Live: 'We want to put theatre back on the map in the town'
Plus: Trio of rapists who lured 12-year-old into car jailed, and planning application for more than 100 new homes at former gasworks submitted
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
September 17, 2025 at 7:50 AM
This week's Dispatch is out now...
In this week's newsletter we pay a visit to the Folkestone Community Fridge...
🛒 'A lot of people do rely on it because they are struggling to make ends meet'
Plus: Update on future of Folkestone Sports Centre, and developers behind stalled luxury flats insist work will restart 'within months'
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
September 10, 2025 at 2:02 PM
In this week's newsletter we pay a visit to the Folkestone Community Fridge...
Delighted to say we've had a number of new paid subscribers signing up this week - thank you to each and every one of you!
If you agree with Andy, and think the Dispatch is just what Folkestone needs, why not join them today?
folkestonedispatch.substack.com/subscribe
If you agree with Andy, and think the Dispatch is just what Folkestone needs, why not join them today?
folkestonedispatch.substack.com/subscribe
September 3, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Delighted to say we've had a number of new paid subscribers signing up this week - thank you to each and every one of you!
If you agree with Andy, and think the Dispatch is just what Folkestone needs, why not join them today?
folkestonedispatch.substack.com/subscribe
If you agree with Andy, and think the Dispatch is just what Folkestone needs, why not join them today?
folkestonedispatch.substack.com/subscribe
In this week's Dispatch we talk to the organisers of the Folkestone Tap Takeover - three days of great craft beer being served at venues across the town
🍻 Folkestone Tap Takeover: Bars and pubs unite for celebration of craft beer
Plus: Anger at decision to fell town centre trees, and closure of dive bar and burger joint announced
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
September 3, 2025 at 7:25 AM
In this week's Dispatch we talk to the organisers of the Folkestone Tap Takeover - three days of great craft beer being served at venues across the town
Reposted by Folkestone Dispatch
Thank you to everyone who has chosen to support us by becoming a paid subscriber. You are amazing and we cannot thank you enough
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
August 29, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Thank you to everyone who has chosen to support us by becoming a paid subscriber. You are amazing and we cannot thank you enough
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
Thank you to everyone who has chosen to support us by becoming a paid subscriber. You are amazing and we cannot thank you enough
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
August 29, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Thank you to everyone who has chosen to support us by becoming a paid subscriber. You are amazing and we cannot thank you enough
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
Reposted by Folkestone Dispatch
Anyway, I'm no longer on local papers, I'm on Substack, where even minimum wage would make me feel like Scrooge McDuck diving into a pool of cash...
Every little helps, though, if you want to support local journalism... folkestonedispatch.substack.com
Every little helps, though, if you want to support local journalism... folkestonedispatch.substack.com
Most reporters on local papers are basically making minimum wage. This would be funny if it wasn't so depressing...
Which jobs do Britons think are overpaid?
Most overpaid (of those polled)
Male footballers: 93%
Company directors: 78%
MPs: 76%
Bankers: 76%
Actors: 57%
Barristers: 51%
Accountants: 47%
Train drivers: 43%
Civil servants: 35%
Journalists: 34%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
Most overpaid (of those polled)
Male footballers: 93%
Company directors: 78%
MPs: 76%
Bankers: 76%
Actors: 57%
Barristers: 51%
Accountants: 47%
Train drivers: 43%
Civil servants: 35%
Journalists: 34%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
August 28, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Anyway, I'm no longer on local papers, I'm on Substack, where even minimum wage would make me feel like Scrooge McDuck diving into a pool of cash...
Every little helps, though, if you want to support local journalism... folkestonedispatch.substack.com
Every little helps, though, if you want to support local journalism... folkestonedispatch.substack.com
In this week's newsletter we report on the extent of council tax arrears in Folkestone & Hythe...
💷 Revealed: How many millions owed in unpaid council tax in Folkestone & Hythe
Plus: Supermarket chain creates more than 30 new jobs, and details of new town centre bus stops published ahead of bus station closure
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
August 27, 2025 at 6:11 AM
In this week's newsletter we report on the extent of council tax arrears in Folkestone & Hythe...
In case you missed this earlier...
📸 Inside Napier Barracks: The asylum accommodation they just can't close
Plus: Council pledges 'no development' on Princes Parade, and former car showroom on high street could become eight flats
folkestonedispatch.substack.com
August 20, 2025 at 6:28 PM
In case you missed this earlier...