Son et Lumière Remembrance Walk

On 9th November 2024, the New Folkestone Society will be putting on the Son et Lumière Remembrance Walk.  Starting on The Leas, at The Grand at 5.45pm, the collective will walk from there to Folkestone Harbour.  There will be lanterns to light the way, and poetry and music to add moments of reflection along the route.  Matthew Jones from the New Folkestone Society spoke to Folkelife.

“Our interest in the Society is to be involved in our community, heritage and pride of place.  It’s important to us that we protect the heritage of Folkestone, and that we interact with it too. Our society has been around for 50 years and we really want people in Folkestone to become more passionate about where we all live, and to feel proud of what we have.  Part of that is to reflect and recognise the importance our town played in the two World Wars, and Remembrance weekend is the most appropriate time to this. “

Acts of remembrance

“It’s important that we have the main event on Sunday at 11am, with the 2 minutes silence and dignitaries laying wreaths at the War Memorial.  But we can also pay our respects, acknowledge the other wars that have come since, and continue today, but also, in a way, celebrate the role Folkestone played in welcoming so many refugees and being that point of departure for service men and women.  

“I think today with the war in Ukraine and what’s happening in Israel with Lebanon and Gaza we can’t ignore the impact that war has on civilians.  So this parade is a reflection on the people affected by war, those in the services as well as the civilians.  The Shorncliffe Trust is providing us with lanterns which people can collect at our starting point at The Grand.  These are hexagonal clear lanterns with a battery light inside.  We are hoping that people bring along their own lanterns too, but we can’t have any naked flames, for obvious reasons of safety.”

community reflection

“We have the Folkestone Performing Arts Company helping us with the parade.  As people walk there will be stopping off points to hear readings of poetry from both World Wars. We have letters from The Front, and letters home, and actors interacting with the crowd.  At 7pm we will arrive at the Step Short Arch where we will meet our piper who will lead us down to The Harbour.  The Rotary Club is helping us with marshalls, so we thank them very much.  

“The Harbour team has been excellent in its support to us too and we’ll congregate along the Station Platform.  It gives me goosebumps to know that we’ll be standing in the very places that those soldiers and refugees stood over the past 100 years and more.  

“Another word of thanks goes to the Folkestone Music Town team, with Sophia and Tim helping us with the muscial elements.  We hope the parade will be a time for reflection, it will be emotional, but also uplifting too.  The simple element of a light, or many lights, guiding us as a community to come to a place of such importance in our town is also a positive experience.  We are looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible join in with this moment of contemplation and hope.”

The Parade starts at The Grand, gathering at 5.45pm on Saturday 9th November, to leave at 6pm on the route through The Leas, through The Old High Street to finish at Folkestone Harbour Station.

Photos credit: Alan Taylor