Image: Ray Duff
Words and photos by Ray Duff – A group of walkers dedicated to raising awareness about the escalating environmental crisis arrived in Folkestone on Sunday afternoon, marking the latest stop on their four-year journey across Britain.
The group began the Folkestone leg of their tour in Dover, following cliff-top footpaths before descending into Folkestone via East Cliff. They converged outside Folkestone Town Hall, where they unveiled the “Coat of Hopes” – a large, tapestry-based coat that has been augmented with new patches and designs at each location they’ve visited.
Image Ray Duff
Upon their arrival, the group performed their accompanying song,
“Ask me where I’m going, Ask me what is my purpose.” This song is sung by the project’s originators while wearing the coat, and also by local participants in each town.
Folkestone Town Mayor Cllr Lucy McGirr and Museum Curator Coralie Clover welcomed the troupe into the Town Hall, which was opened specifically for the reception. Later in the day, the Coat of Hopes was displayed at the Kollectiv arts centre, where the first local workshop to design additions to the fabric commenced.
The Coat of Hopes will be on display in the Folkestone Town Hall foyer from July 1 to August 30 during opening hours. Additional art sessions are being organized to further engage the community and create more quilt patches for the coat’s continued journey around Britain.
Further info:
- The Coat of Hopes. https://www.coatofhopes.uk/
- The Dover to Folkestone walk session on Sunday 29 June. https://www.plotaroute.com/route/3005894?units=km
- Folkestone Museum: (Town Hall, Guildhall St) https://www.facebook.com/FolkestoneTownCouncil/