Museum Curator Coralie Clover dons the Coat as it leaves Folkestone Photo: Ray Duff
By Ray Duff
After a three-month stay, the magnificent ‘Coat of Hopes’, a huge, multi-patched quilted garment, has embarked on the next leg of its journey. This unique symbol of community, peace, and environmental hope was given a lively send-off as it departed Folkestone on Saturday.
Museum curator Coralie Clover led the procession, proudly wearing the coat and walking it through the town’s streets. A dedicated group of supporters joined her, singing a song and engaging with curious onlookers who were captivated by the project. The journey saw many people take turns wearing the coat, holding its long train, and carrying a banner. Each person who wore the coat helped to carry its message forward, passing the baton of hope as the procession made its way from the Sandgate Road precinct to the Leas.
The Ivy filigree added to part of the Coast of Hopes Photo: Ray Duff
While in Folkestone, the coat was on display at the Town Museum, where it was visited by hundreds of people. It became a focal point for school and community art workshops, inspiring creativity and conversations. Before it left, the coat gained several new patches, including an impression of an Adonis Blue butterfly, a nod to the rare species found on the Folkestone Downs, and a delicate filigree of ivy leaves. These new additions joined the multitude of patches from other towns and cities it has visited over the past four years, each one a testament to the communities it has touched.
The train of the coat with multiple patches carried along The Leas Photo: Ray Duff
After an overnight stop in West Folkestone, the coat continued its pilgrimage on Sunday, heading towards Dymchurch. From there, it will make its way to Hastings and then slowly travel through the South West of Britain, carrying its message of hope and unity to new communities along the way.