Didn't see Folkestone on the TV last night, that's mostly a good thing I think. Kirstie Allsop and Phil Spencer presented a rundown of the best and worst towns to live in, based on some criteria or other. Folkestone didn't come in the top ten (there's no way it would right now, though it's got the potential), BUT it didn't come in the bottom ten either. Somehow Ashford did come in the top ten, can anyone believe this? Not Megastar for one:
In Kent terms, Ashford's a Canterbury where ancient charm has been replaced by ringroads. It's Folkestone without the views and the faded grandeur. It's Dover without the geographical drama and the history. It's Margate without the vinegar-soaked edge.
Back to me again... What Ashford does have is a quick connection to London. Well, it will have, on the show they said 2007 but it's more likely to be 2009 isn't it? 36 minutes into London, that's very tasty. This high speed rail link will extend to Folkestone though, so AHOY POTENTIAL BUYERS IN ASHFORD, look further down the line - you'll get a splendid old building close to the sea, for a few minutes extra commuting. I've done it, and you should to.
Anyone see this, or got any comments? Or are you all waiting for me to add more smiley faces to this page? I found some nice free icons here that I will most likely be adding.
Apologies if there are no updates here for a few days, I'm off to Lympne Castle to get married! Cheers...
This is part of my website The Folkestone Gerald that I built in a fury of enthusiasm when we first moved here sometime in 2004. I'd been a frequent visitor for a while previous to that so I am technically one of those DFLs you get nowadays. The site was a lot more dynamic with a gig calendar and voting for favourite places and stuff, and I know it was a useful resource for those who were thinking of moving to the area. Now I've moved out of Folkestone again (though just to Hythe) it doesn't get as much attention as it used to. Ironic really as The town is now becoming the exciting place we knew it was just about to. My name is not Gerald BTW, the name comes from a pretend paper in an episode of The Day Today or something, the Portsmouth Gerald, and how there is a local paper here called the Folkestone Herald. Puns like this are GRATE aren't they? Do get in touch if you have something to offer, email anythign @ this domain, or try @folkestone or @pauly on Twitter.