New Folkestone Society – Event Report
We were thrilled to welcome over 60 attendees to our recent Victorian Cemetery Walk and Talk, held in collaboration with the New Folkestone Society.
Despite the threat of showers, the weather held beautifully, allowing us to enjoy a gentle and informative walk through the Cheriton end of the cemetery, rich with local history and remarkable stories.
Starting at the White Garden
The walk began at the reflective White Garden and historic Mortuary building, where we shared the story of how stillborn babies were once quietly buried without ceremony — and how today’s garden provides a peaceful place for remembrance and healing.
Guided by Our Knowledgeable Team
The group was divided into two groups, and the walks was led by Carole and Rob, with valued assistance from Margaret, Damon, and Jan. Each group was guided through nearly 30 graves and memorials, each revealing a story from Folkestone’s past.
Highlights Included:
- Mary Ellinsworth maid servant and housekeeper for nearly 50 years to the McLean family, a McLean Clan memorial a striking family monument, with their loyal housekeeper of many years buried close by.
- The Grosser Kurfürst memorial, remembering the German sailors lost in the 1878 naval disaster.
- Jackie, one of the victims of the WW1 Tontine Street bombing, offering a solemn reminder of the war’s impact at home.
- Mary Pechey-Phipson, one of the Edinburgh Seven, a pioneering doctor and early suffragist.
- Jessie Landseer, accomplished artist and sister to Sir Edwin Landseer — known for her watercolours of landscapes and animals.
- William Clauson-Thue, Shipping manager who invented a comprehensive set of all codes and systems used by telegraph operators.
- Gilbert Dutton Kennicott, a Naval officer who served in the Napoleoic wars, and who was thought dead until he blinked with his remaining one eye.
These and many other stories helped bring the cemetery to life, showing the depth of character and history found within its grounds.
Cream Tea at the Bowls Club
After the walk, guests were invited across the road to the Bowls Club, where a delightful Cream Tea was served — a perfect way to round off a reflective and enjoyable afternoon.
Thank You
A huge thank you to New Folkekstone Society organisers (what a lovely group of people you gathered together) and to everyone who joined us, and of course, the team of volunteers who made the event possible. We look forward to welcoming you to future walks and talks as we continue to explore and share Folkestone’s hidden histories
