Alan F. Taylor

The Kent coastal town of Folkestone lies at the foot of the North Downs, with France visible across the Strait of Dover. The town developed around the harbour built in the nineteenth century, both as a resort and a port for cross-Channel ferries. Hotels, theatres and a pier were built in this era to attract fashionable visitors, but in the twentieth century a wider range of incomers settled in the town. Folkestone was at the front line in two world wars and today its links with London and Continental Europe, via the M20 motorway, fast rail links and the Channel Tunnel, have seen further massive changes in the town. Lost Folkestone presents a portrait of a town from Victorian times to recent decades that has radically changed or disappeared today, showing not only the industries and buildings that have gone but also the people and street scenes, many popular places of entertainment and much more. This fascinating photographic history of lost Folkestone will appeal to all those who live in the town or know it well, as well as those who remember it from previous decades.

During the nineteenth century Folkestone changed from being a small fishing village to a fashionable resort and busy cross-Channel port. The town expanded dramatically and by the turn of the century large hotels were being built to accommodate the wealthy, and a theatre, bathing establishment and pleasure pier were all built. Fashionable Folkestone came to an end with the advent of the First World War, when it experienced a huge influx of refugees and its harbour became a prime military embarkation point. After this war Folkestone realised that if it was to survive as a holiday resort, it would have to attract working-class families – not just the wealthy. Later, the building of the M20 and the Channel Tunnel all meant that Folkestone underwent further major changes and now, at the start of a new millennium, Folkestone is equipped with a high-speed rail link to London with travel times of less than an hour, and with the philanthropic investment of Roger de Haan, it is undergoing another change of guise as the town seeks to reinvent itself as a hub for arts and high culture. In this fascinating collection of images, most of which have not been published before, local author and historian Alan F. Taylor illustrates the proud history of this seaside town. Folkestone From Old Photographs provides something for everyone, be they long-time residents or first-time visitors.

As well as providing a valuable record for future historians, these charming photographs will inspire nostalgic pleasure in those who still remember old Folkestone.

Folkestone Through Time is a unique insight into the illustrious history of this part of the country. Reproduced in full colour, this is an exciting examination of Folkestone, the famous streets and the famous faces, and what they meant to the people of Folkestone throughout the 19th and into the 20th Century. Looking beyond the exquisite exterior of these well-kept photos, readers can see the historical context in which they are set, and through the author's factual captions for every picture and carefully-selected choice of images, the reader can achieve a reliable view of the town's history. Readers are invited to follow a timeline of events and watch the changing face of the town, as Alan Taylor guides us through the town's streets. There is something for everyone here, whether they have lived in the area all their lives, or whether they are just visiting this fabulous town. It also shows how photography has continually evolved to keep up with an ever-changing society.

Looking at the past of Folkestone through the use of pictures and informative captions.

This fascinating compilation of over 220 pictures of bygone Folkestone has been drawn entirely from the author's own extensive collection. It encompasses nearly a century and a half of the town's history, starting with a chapter dedicated to watercolours of the town painted by the artist Joshua Marsh in the 1820s. At the other end of the time scale, the effects of the Second World War and subsequent new developments are also fully chronicled. As befits a maritime town, all aspects of Folkestone's relationship with the sea are comprehensively covered. Fishing, pleasure-boating, beach activities and maritime ceremonies such as the Blessing of the Sea are all mentioned here. The transport section includes images from both the horse-drawn and motorized eras, and finally there is a chapter on ceremonies and celebrations, from victory parades to Coronations and Jubilees. Not only will this book awaken nostalgic memories in those who knew Folkestone as it used to be, but it will also be of great interest to newcomers to the area who wish to learn about the town's history.