Following article just received.
Appeared Nov 20th in Folkestone Herald.
Prime Minister Tony Blair could be making his way to Folkestone in the spring for
the south east Labour party's conference.
The Leas Cliff Hall has confirmed its new Channel suite and main hall have been
booked to accomodate some 300 delegates on April 17 and 18.
Labour's parliamentary spokesman for Shepway,Maureen Tomison,hinted either Mr Blair
or Chancellor Gordon brown would be making an appearance.
This is the first time the annual conference has come to Folkestone,and it will bring
with it hundreds of media representatives from around the world.
Mrs Tomison said:"I have put a lot of effort into getting this event to come to
Folkestone. The Town has the right facilities and the shops and restaurants will
undoubtedly benfit from this,as there will be about 500 people attending. I expect
that top cabinet ministers will be attending,and either Tony Blair or Gordon Brown.
It is a great opportunity and a real boost for Folkestone".
Marketing manager for the Leas Cliffe Hall Helena Durban said:"This is excellent news
and great for both the new suite and the Hall. This is a huge event,with people from
right across the south east of England. It is early days yet,and we won't have an
concrete details on what we will be doing until the new year,but we have informed the
local hotels."
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Notes: This is the constituancy of one Michael Howard MP(the new Tory Leader).
The town is pretty run down,the 'right mix' of shops etc is non existant
The new shopping centre (long delayed) is not due to start construction 'til
January.
There are some efforts at a revival. The 'Creative Quarter' based around the
Old High St area has recently been set up.
Folkestone has 3 of the most deprived wards in Kent and UK.
Maureen Tomison was until 2 years ago a member of the Tory party.
"My views haven't changed,but the Tories have" she said recently.
The Leas Cliff Hall is built into the top half of a cliff,about half a mile
to the right of the harbour (from landward). It overlooks the coastal park and
the Channel.
It's about 10-12 mins walk from Folkestone Central rail station.
Methinks,there will also be some 'other' visitors during conference. The hall is
as I said overlooks the Channel.... and the Leas itself is two miles
long. The statue of William Harvey is right next to hall entrance.
Plenty of B&B's etc. But not much by way of veggie eateries. There is a Holland &
Barrett with a small cafe. Otherwise nearest outpost of real civilization is
Canterbury Wholefoods.
