Mike Perry, the Folkestone Miniaturist (facing) adds his support Photo: Ray Duff
By Ray Duff – Campaigners for the restoration and re-opening of Folkestone Library on Grace Hill held an exhibition over the weekend to share the history and vision of the building with the public.
Visitors to the exhibition view the storyboards and campaign information Photo: Ray Duff
The exhibition, which took place at the Urban Room venue near the Tram Road Car Park, attracted visitors of all ages, as well as local Councillors and Folkestone Town Mayor Cllr Belinda Walker.
Part of the campaign materials Photo: Ray Duff
The exhibition featured storyboards that traced the building’s origins in 1888, its various functions as a museum, an art gallery, and a library, and its significance as a heritage collection space. The storyboards also highlighted the progress of the campaign to save the building from closure and presented new ideas for a more diverse use of the space. Additionally, visitors could see the initial work on a 1/100th scale model of the whole building, which is being created by Folkestone Miniaturist Mike Perry.
Folkestone Mayor, Cllr Belinda Walker, with some of the comments Photo: Ray Duff
The exhibition aimed to raise awareness and support for the campaign, as well as to gather feedback and suggestions from the public on the future of the library. The campaign has already collected over 3600 signatures on a petition that calls for Kent County Council (KCC) to repair and re-open Grace Hill Library.
The fantastic model of Folkestone Library being made Photo: Ray Duff
The next event for the campaign is a meeting with the KCC Cabinet committee on Tuesday, 26th September, where they will present their petition and make their case. Meanwhile, KCC has announced plans to open a temporary ‘Heritage Hub’ venue in the former Youth Club on Grace Hill, but has not given a date for its opening.