Departure of SAGA from Enbrook Park

Posted on February 16, 2023 by admin

Dear Sandgate Society Members

You will mostly be aware of the recent disturbing news – the departure of Saga from Enbrook Park, Sandgate.

We received an email response from the CEO of Saga which is not entirely satisfactory from our point of view.

One of the main concerns at the present moment is the future of our Sandgate Community Garden; we are keeping Leonie completely in the loop, and so far we believe we have a “stay of execution”.  The points of consideration are not only the decision to be made by future buyers, which may take some time, but also the effective enforced closure if Saga no longer need water for their own grounds and remove our access to this essential commodity.

I am working closely with Cllr Tim Prater and also Cllr Guy Valentine-Neale (Head of Planning, SPC) and have requested a face to face meeting with Euan Sutherland which is planned for the next 2-3 weeks.   We have all brought up many salient points and will come back with answers shortly thereafter.

Please be assured that everyone is fully committed to ensuring the least possible “damage” to Sandgate – visually, architecturally – not to mention continued access for our community.

We will come back with more in-depth information following our meeting.

Thank you,


Sal Kenward

Posted in misc, news, parish council, Sandgate Society | Comments Off on Departure of SAGA from Enbrook Park

Preserving Sandgate for future generations – Sustainability meeting

Posted on September 30, 2022 by admin

The Sandgate Society will be holding a meeting for members on 13th October to explore ideas on what they would like to see happen to make Sandgate more sustainable. If you would like to attend this interesting meeting do contact the Sandgate Society directly for details of membership. The following message was sent to members:

Dear Members,

As you may know from seeing our stall at the Sandgate Sale Safari; The Civic Day at the Quarter House or the Sea Festival we have been asking members of the community for ideas on what they would like to see happen to make Sandgate more sustainable to preserve it for future generations. We have had a positive response and are ready to move forward and put some of the great ideas into action.

We are holding a meeting on Thursday October 13th at 7p.m. in the Reading Room at the Old Fire Station on Sandgate High Street, to discuss these ideas and explore ways forward. Coming along doesn’t commit you to anything and you absolutely don’t have to be a sustainability expert. Hopefully, this will be the start of a group representing all sections of the Sandgate Community, where we can learn from and inspire each other in a supportive and non-judgemental way and crucially make a difference.

Please let us know if you would like to attend or if you are interested but can’t make the time/date. Please also let us know any other ideas you may have so we can put them up for discussion. One thing for sure is we won’t have picked a time and date that will suit everybody but we had to start somewhere…

·       Email – sandgatesociety@gmail.com

·       Ring – Gemma: 07984 694907

Just to whet your appetite these are just some of the ideas suggested so far (in no particular order)

·       Thermal Surveys

·       Public water fountains to refill water bottles

·       Tool Library

·       Energy Saving Appliances Exhibition/Demonstrations  – a chance to see them in action

·       Repair Café

·       Pop up workshops/field trips on repair skills and sustainability

·       Sustainable Fashion Show

·       Discussion group on sustainability issues

·       Communicating local recycling information (items that don’t get collected by the council) and other local sustainability initiatives.

·       Campaigning to improve local services and facilities

·       A guide to making property low carbon in a conservation area

 We look forward to hearing from you

Best wishes

The Sustainability Team

The Sandgate Society

Posted in events, History, Sandgate Society | Comments Off on Preserving Sandgate for future generations – Sustainability meeting

H G Wells Exhibition by the Sandgate Society Archives Team

Posted on September 27, 2022 by admin

On 2nd/3rd April 2022 the Sandgate Society Archive Team  (Jill, Annie, Chris, Maggie, Frank and Bob) held their H. G. Wells exhibition in the Old Fire Station. 

On display were many documents and photographs from the archive files along with interesting books and Wells portraits kindly lent to us for the weekend.   The wonderful short film on loan from David Cowell featuring Wells’s life in Folkestone was well received by all. 

The exhibition was prompted by some unseen documents and letters by H. G. Wells, Mrs Wells, local builder William Dunk and Architect Charles Voysey, which had been discovered locally, donated to the Archives, and which related to the building of Spade House.  The original documents are now with RIBA at the the V&A for conservation.  Copies can be viewed on Saturday mornings.

The weekend was very busy and a success with many people enjoying the guided walks with Robert and Maggie and the wonderful refreshments served by the Events Team.  H. G. Wells commemorative envelopes and stamps are still available to purchase.  It was hard work by all the volunteers but a pleasure to do this especially in the 60th Year of the Sandgate Society.  A huge thank you to all who came along to see the exhibition.

Posted in events, History, Sandgate Society | Comments Off on H G Wells Exhibition by the Sandgate Society Archives Team

Proclamation Reading for Charles III for the Parish of Sandgate

Posted on September 26, 2022 by admin

Proclamation Reading for Charles III for the Parish of Sandgate: Delivered Sunday 11th September, 4pm

We come together this afternoon following the passing of our late Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth the Second. Our sadness at this time is shared by people across the globe, as we remember with affection and gratitude the lifetime of service given by our longest reigning Monarch. But the basis on which our monarchy is built has ensured that through the centuries the Crown has passed in an unbroken line of succession. Today’s ceremony marks the formal Proclamation to the people of the Sandgate of the beginning of our new King’s reign.

Read more at: https://sandgatepc.org.uk/2022/09/12/proclamation-reading-for-charles-iii-for-the-parish-of-sandgate-delivered-sunday-11th-september-4pm/

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Proclamation Reading for Charles III for the Parish of Sandgate

Queen Elizabeth 1926 – 2022

Posted on September 26, 2022 by admin

Monarch of sixteen sovereign states, and head of the Commonwealth of Nations.

The UK Mourns:

Elizabeth II was Queen of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms. Elizabeth was born in Mayfair, London, as the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York

Posted in History, misc, news, parish council, Sandgate Society | Comments Off on Queen Elizabeth 1926 – 2022

After Three Years – The Sea Festival Is Back!

Posted on July 28, 2022 by admin

Its been a difficult and sometimes strange three years for lots of us and many public and private events have had to be canceled.

So – it is with much excitement the Sea Festival committee have announced the return of Sandgate famous Sea and Food Festival.

Posted in events, parish council, Sandgate Society | Comments Off on After Three Years – The Sea Festival Is Back!

The Return of the Sandgate Walking Tours

Posted on May 24, 2022 by admin

We’re delighted that Tony Quarrington is bringing his walking tours back to Sandgate for a third season!

Posted in chichester hall, events, History, parish council | Comments Off on The Return of the Sandgate Walking Tours

Samuel Plimsoll – the Sailors Friend

Posted on May 24, 2022 by admin

The annual commemoration service, wreath-laying and talk to mark the life of Samuel Plimsoll

Posted in events, History | Comments Off on Samuel Plimsoll – the Sailors Friend

Sandgate Sale Safari

Posted on May 23, 2022 by admin

The Sandgate Sale Safari is back by popular demand!

if it’s not there already put Sunday 29th May in your diary. The Sandgate Society found last year that visitors tended to stick to certain areas of Sandgate so this year we have some stalls available in the village centre.

If you are interested in having a stall please email sandgatesociety@gmail.com or ring Gemma on 07984 694907.

The good news is there is something that hasn’t gone up!  Stalls will be at the same price of £5 with all profits going towards community events.

Posted in events, parish council, Sandgate Society | Comments Off on Sandgate Sale Safari

Sandgate Celebrates: Party in Golden Valley and Granville Parade

Posted on May 23, 2022 by admin

In early June, the country will be celebrating the Jubilee and Sandgate will be playing our part.

Our starting event in Sandgate will be the lighting of the Sandgate Beacon by the Sir John Moore Memorial at 9.45pm on Thursday 2nd June. We have a piper and bugle player beforehand, and. maybe, some special guests.

On the afternoon Friday 3rd June there will be a party in the Golden Valley car park in front of the Golden Arrow, with plenty of families to enjoy.

And in the afternoon of Sunday 5th June there will be a street and beach party along Granville Parade, with the Sandgate Society organising some tables and seating along the front for those that want it, but all more than welcome to come along, join us there or on the beach, have a beach picnic or maybe a drink or two from our great local businesses and enjoy the music from the Rowing Club balcony.

We are looking for a qualified first aider for that afternoon who could be our point of contact if we needed a designated person to call an ambulance or attend to a grazed knee! Could you help us? Please drop an email to clerk@sandgatepc.org.uk – thank you!

For safety reasons, we’ve applied for a road closure of Granville Parade for the afternoon: with lots of people moving around it seems much the safest way. However there is free parking from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th by the Saga building, for which we thank them, and any resident is more than welcome to park there, all day, for free.

Posted in events, parish council, Sandgate Society | Comments Off on Sandgate Celebrates: Party in Golden Valley and Granville Parade

Sandgate Celebrates The Queens Platinum Jubilee

Posted on May 23, 2022 by admin

Street and Beach Party on a lazy Sunday afternoon. The sun is starting to shine and our thoughts are turning to celebrations – in particular the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee tea party on 5th June – 2 to 5pm.

In conjunction with Sandgate Parish Council, the Sandgate Society are organising a traditional street party on The Parade, opposite the Rowing Club.

Spaces at the table are available, pre-booked only, at a cost of £2.50.    If you would prefer a beach picnic or bbq, the beach is free!   Places will be limited to our number of tables and chairs, so please book early and non-Sandgate Society members are very welcome.

You are welcome to bring your own picnic tables and chairs, and join our Street table.  Granville Parade will be closed to cars all day (parking is available to residents and guests at the street party in the Saga car park).   

If the weather forces us to cancel, your money can either be returned or donated to the Sandgate Society to be used for another community event.

Please bring your own tablecloth (if required), food and refreshments, sit back and enjoy the day.   If you really want to relax, you can pre-order food from the local eateries.  We will advise you if any of these are offering special deals for the day.

The lavatories attached to the Boathouse Café will be cleaned all day, and the facilities at the Rowing Club will also be available.

The highlights are:

Live music from the Rowing Club balcony, Children’s Regal Fancy Dress competition at 3pm – all entrants receive a free ice cream.  Please assemble opposite the Rowing Club, Dedicated ice cream van all day as well as from The Boathouse on the promenade, Hula hoop and bubble entertainers for the children and young at heart.

So please email us (sandgatesociety@gmail.com) to reserve your space and we look forward to partying with you.

Posted in events, parish council, Sandgate Society | Comments Off on Sandgate Celebrates The Queens Platinum Jubilee

Start a Small Business from Your Rented Space Using These Tips

Posted on March 30, 2022 by admin

This article is one of many pieces of helpful content you’ll find at Sandgate-Kent.org.uk.

Business tips for new entrepreneurs run the gamut, but for those who are working out of a small space, it’s crucial to make your environment a priority. Not only will your workspace need to be functional, but it also needs to fit realistically into your lifestyle. Running a business out of an apartment often comes with challenges, but there are several things you can do to make the process a smooth one. Start by changing things up to ensure the space is maximized for your needs, both professionally and personally.

Create the perfect work area

It’s possible to create a great home office or workspace in a smaller spot; it just takes a bit of creativity and a lot of organization. If possible, set up your desk or work table in an area that has some privacy and/or is free from distractions. Give yourself plenty of natural light to work in, or utilise task lighting that will be easy on your eyes. Invest in a comfortable, supportive chair, and use organizational tools that will help you stay on top of your to-do lists. You can also add houseplants for a bit of cheer and get rid of clutter to boost your mental health; these are great ways to keep stress at bay while you work and will help you achieve work/life balance.

Keep it legal

Once your environment is perfect, it’s time to think about operations. Running a home-based business means you have to stay on top of your legal responsibilities as a self-employed individual, especially regarding your taxes. One easy way to do this is to form a limited liability company, which will provide tax benefits while giving you flexibility with the way you run things. Every state has its own rules about formation, so get familiar with the steps required to create an LLC.

Also, check with your landlord or council association to ensure you have their express permission to run a business on the property. Keep in mind that they may refuse your request if they believe your business will be disruptive to other tenants or will cause damage to your rented space.

Fix it up

Another aspect of your business that may require permission from your landlord is making repairs or sprucing up an area for holding meetings with clients or customers. Broken windows, doors, or ceiling fans and peeling paint are unsightly and may give clients the wrong impression of your business, even if your meetings are virtual, and if your landlord doesn’t cover every type of repair, you may need some help fixing things up. Look online for a local handyman who can take over these projects for you; review sites are extremely helpful when you’re doing some research before hiring, and they can even provide deals on various services.

Create a schedule that works for you

Once your apartment is clean, spruced up, and ready for business, it’s important to make sure your work schedule actually works for you. Running a business from home means you can create your own routines, which is helpful if you have neighbors who are noisy at certain times of the day.

Running a business out of a small space can be frustrating if you’re not prepared, but with some organization, you can ensure things run smoothly as you work toward your goals.

Need to contact Sandgate-Kent.org.uk? Get in touch today.

Photo via Pexels

Posted in Business | Comments Off on Start a Small Business from Your Rented Space Using These Tips

Sandgate Society Events for 2022.

Posted on March 22, 2022 by admin

The Sandgate Society hold a number of very popular events throughout the year (when possible due to Covid) – and this year, 2022, is a bumper year for events.

If you would like to join the Sandgate Society so that you can attend one or more of these events do get in touch with via the contact details on the Sandgate Society website (https://sandgatesociety.com/membership-3-2/).

It’s not only events – The Society has an extensive Sandgate archive of historical documents and photographs and is involved in much much more – you can find out more about what the Sandgate Society does from: https://sandgatesociety.com

Here is a list of events for 2022/2023.

Posted in events, Sandgate Society | Comments Off on Sandgate Society Events for 2022.

Flower Artwork Installation at St Pauls

Posted on February 24, 2022 by admin

As part of St Paul’s Church 200th anniversary celebrations this June we are creating a knitted flower artwork installation that will be displayed on the steps leading up to St Paul’s.

We need a lot of flowers and if you knit or would like to knit a flower or two (it’s very easy) come along to our workshop this Saturday (26th) at St Paul’s Church Hall, 10am – 12pm.

All you need is; A ball of wool (Any colour), Needles to suit the weight of wool, a Tapestry or yarn needle with a large eye that you can feed the wool through and that is it! For more information email: stpauls200@gmail.com

Posted in Church, misc, news | Comments Off on Flower Artwork Installation at St Pauls

Sandgate Society Archive Team – H.G. Wells Exhibition 2022 and Guided Walk

Posted on February 15, 2022 by admin

Dear Members

Our talented and hardworking Archives Team, who entertained and informed us all during the lockdowns with their ‘Tales From the Archives’, have a new treat in store for you all.

On Saturday  2nd April and Sunday  3rd April,  from 10.30am to 4.00pm, they are holding an H.G. Wells Exhibition in the Old Fire Station with refreshments available in the beautiful listed Reading Room.

Recently discovered correspondence relating to Spade House will be on display for the first time. At the exhibition you will be able to view letters by H. G. Wells, architect C. F. A. Voysey and Folkestone builder William Dunk and also documents from the Sandgate Society archive files.

At the exhibition, there will also be a beautiful limited edition H. G. Wells Commemorative  Envelope and Stamp available to buy for £5.00.

Members also have the excellent opportunity for priority booking onto a Guided Walk, led by Blue Badge Guide Robert Sissons,  where you will walk in the footsteps of H.G. Wells; explore his Sandgate and find out more about this fascinating character.

The Guided Walk will take place on Saturday 2nd April at 2pm and Sunday 3rd April at 2pm and will cost £5 (including tea/coffee and cake afterwards in the Reading Room). Please book in advance by either emailing  sandgatesociety@gmail.com  or by ringing Gemma on 07984 694907. There are only twenty places available on each walk so book early to secure a place.  

Please feel free to forward the attached poster on to anyone you feel would be interested in visiting what promises to be a very special, interesting and informative exhibition.

Best wishes

The Events Team

If you would like to join the Sandgate Society please contact: sandgatesociety@gmail.com – more information about the society can be found at: https://sandgatesociety.com/

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Sandgate Society Archive Team – H.G. Wells Exhibition 2022 and Guided Walk

Tree Planting To Mark Appreciation of Queens Service

Posted on December 14, 2021 by admin

At a recent Cabinet meeting, Folkestone & Hythe District Council members agreed to show appreciation for Her Majesty’s 70 years’ service by planting an avenue of trees as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy which is a unique tree-planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

To mark this significant event 12 commemorative London Planes will be planted at Cheriton Recreation Ground with a plaque marking the dedication placed opposite the existing Golden Jubilee plaque at the park entrance (the recreation ground was dedicated to the Queen’s Golden Jubilee).

Every year, 10 trees will be available for the public to apply to have planted in council-owned parks and open spaces. These are: Folkestone’s Radnor Park, Cheriton Recreation Ground, Morehall Recreation Ground, the western end of Lower Leas Coastal Park, and Hawkinge Cemetery Green Burial Plot.

The location of the trees will be chosen on a year-by-year basis from these places. The trees will be mainly native broad-leaved and deciduous and a list of species for people to choose from will be available.

Cllr Lesley Whybrow, Cabinet member for the Environment, welcomed the tree-planting campaign, saying it was a “great opportunity to take part in a nationwide tree-planting campaign to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next year.”

The Sandgate Community Gardeners are already moving forward with tree planting plans and a team led by them planted 12 fruit trees in Fremantle Park as part of Sandgates contribution to the Queen’s Green Canopy project for the 2022 Platinum Jubilee with another 12 fruit trees newly planted in Sandgate Park too – both orchards will be dedicated in June 2022.

Posted in news | Comments Off on Tree Planting To Mark Appreciation of Queens Service

Featuring The Old Fire Station

Posted on November 5, 2021 by admin

This season’s must-have fashion accessory or simply a very nice bag to keep or give to friends and family is now available from The Village Shop or the Old Fire Station both on Sandgate High Street. A huge thank you to Euan Williamson who gave us permission to use his beautiful painting which captures the character of this iconic Sandgate landmark which of course is home to the Sandgate Society. 

I am sure you’ll be pleased to know that we decided to buck the trend and not put the price up and so the bag is still an extremely reasonable £3. A big thank you to Sandgate Printers who generously helped us make that possible. All profits will go towards local community projects supported by the Sandgate Society so please support your society in what has been another year where we have had to either cancel or scale down fundraising events.

If you would like one and can not get into Sandgate to buy one (or two or three) we can either do a drop off if you live locally or arrange postage. Postage costs will depend on how many bags you will order but it will be the cheapest way we can do it.

Posted in History, misc | Comments Off on Featuring The Old Fire Station

Sandgate Racer Wins British Superbike Championship

Posted on October 21, 2021 by admin

Continuing with an amazing season, a stunning result for twenty-year-old Jack Nixon in the British Superbikes, in the Superstock 600 class at Brands Hatch on 20th October.

Jack was competing alongside riders from across the globe and 6 manufacturers, for the championship title across 11 events, 33 races.

Sandgate mum, Sharon Nixon says she is bursting with pride over her son’s achievement. .

Posted in news | Comments Off on Sandgate Racer Wins British Superbike Championship

Sandgate Community Gardeners Saving Those Spare Plants

Posted on October 20, 2021 by admin

Have you ever wondered what happens to the town’s bedding plants when the season is finished?  We certainly have, and made some enquiries with Folkestone and Hythe horticultural department that carry out all the summer and winter floral displays all around the area from the parks to the street planters.

Most of the plants are annuals, which means after their display, they are literally exhausted and finished, fit only to be composted.  Some of the plants are perennials and can survive all year and come back to flower once again.  These were the plants we were interested in, as there were quite a few of them from dahlias to verbenas, gazanias and salvias. 

It seems that most of the plants are removed from the beds and reused which is good news.  We were concerned that these plants might also end up on the compost heap and were keen to rescue them if that were indeed the case, and put them to good use in some of the areas we are looking after. 

However, having removed all the plants the council decided that they did indeed have a few too many perennials left and offered them to us.  Always keen to save valuable resources, we jumped at the opportunity and liberated several plants which we shared with the Incredible Edible team. 

Many thanks to the Folkestone and Hythe Council for thinking of us for these spare plants, and you never know, after planting out the winter bedding, there might be the possibility of a leftover plant or two – you never know! 

The great thing about gardening is that nature is the master of recycling, and nothing is wasted.  Plants give their all by flowering or providing fruit/vegetables, and even when finished make the best compost, and the cycle continues. 

Not trying to give you the heebie jeebies with the pic of worms – but they are just the best for recyling.

Posted in health, misc | Comments Off on Sandgate Community Gardeners Saving Those Spare Plants

Sandgate Society Christmas Party – Coming Soon!

Posted on October 20, 2021 by admin

Dear Sandgate Society Members, 

We are very pleased to be able to tell you that we are going ahead with the Christmas Party this year. Many people have now been triple jabbed plus had their Flu jabs and the feedback from members has been a very strong ‘please do something for Christmas’.

As you know we were unable to use SAGA this year so we are back at the Chichester Hall, which will be lovely but does mean less tickets will be available (so book fast!). Please see attached documents for more information about this fun, festive evening. Bookings will be taken from Wednesday 1st November and bookings details will be sent out next week. 

Bookings are being taken from 1st November for this very popular event – more information about the Christmas Party will be published soon – meanwhile, if you want to know more about this event please do contact Sandgate Society directly.

Best wishes

The Events Team

More about the Sandgate Society HERE

Posted in chichester hall, Sandgate Society | Comments Off on Sandgate Society Christmas Party – Coming Soon!