“Follow the Drum” from Waterloo to the Somme

The Sandgate Society are delighted to host a FREE weekend event by The Shorncliffe Trust at The Old Fire Station, 51a Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3AH this weekend.

On 19th & 20th September The Shorncliffe Trust is partnering with the Sandgate Society for the Heritage Open Days 2026.

Step back in time and discover the men behind the history…

This September, come and experience the remarkable story of the Riflemen of Shorncliffe, from the battlefields of Waterloo in 1815 to Vimy Ridge in 1916.

As part of the nationwide Heritage Open Days, the Old Fire Station will open its doors for a fascinating weekend of military history, rare artefacts, colourful displays, films and living history — and it’s completely FREE!

Doors open each day 10.00am till 4.00pm

The weekends events also include each day:

Tours of Shorncliffe Redoubt and the WW1 trenches @ 11.00am Saturday and Sunday – meet at Shorncliffe Military Cemetery.

Film Show about local WW2 veteran and poet “Meeting Stanley” @ 2.30pm Saturday and Sunday @ the Old Fire Station, Sandgate Society.

Stanley Robinson

Meeting Stanley

The Shorncliffe Trust have produced a video “Meeting Stanley about Stanley Robinson – Son, Father, Grandfather and WW2 veteran from Folkestone, but born and brought up in Sandgate.

Stanley is an quiet, humble man, who thinks he is an unremarkable man – but he is definitely not. He is a Poet and an inspiration to us all at the age of 98.

To Stanley and the surviving veterans of WW2 – thank you for your service.

The first 10 minutes of Remembering Stanley centers on his early life in Sandgate, through to his time in the Home Guard as a teenager, keeping guard on Sandgate Castle.

Garden

Hythe to Sandgate Open Gardens

JUNE 2027 across Hythe, Saltwood, Seabrook & Sandgate

Do you live in Saltwood, Hythe, Seabrook or Sandgate? Would you like to be involved in this new community project?

We are looking for gardens / allotments / community spaces etc to open to the public in June 2027. Whether your space is large or small, a weedy wildlife haven, a family friendly veg patch or a secluded courtyard full of pots, we want to show off the diversity of plants and planting schemes in our neighbourhood.

It doesn’t matter if you are new to gardening or have a wealth of horticultural knowledge, everyone is welcome. All proceeds from this event will go to local charities.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

If you are interested in opening your garden / gardening space, interested in volunteering or would like to know more, Heidi will have a stall at the Big Green Fair so please come along and find her or email Heidi at h2sopengardens@gmail.com