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I have been asked to write this article in response to Digger’s “Folkestone has no culture”. I cannot and would not dare question Digger’s version of Folkestone forty to sixty years ago, I was not around at the time and would need to read dozens of newspapers for even a small flavour of Folkestone in the 1960s. There can be no question that there was good quality entertainment in and around Folkestone, that youngsters with an ear from music could form a cheap group and possibly achieve fame. Access to musicians etc was a great deal easier as there were more opportunities around then than there are today. Clothing was colourful as was the fashions of the 1960s and Folkestone was a busy seaside town.
I do not intend to question Digger’s knowledge of art or music I have seen his library of over eight thousand books on both subjects and a collection of vinyl that includes Jazz and early rock ‘n’ roll that many radio stations would kill for. Digger also puts his money where his mouth is and has purchased several paintings from local artists. To read Digger’s articles gives the impression that he is old, miserable and very critical he is none of those, to spend a few minutes in his company is seriously funny. He is creative having had three plays published, hundreds of articles for magazines and newspapers on dozens of subjects and he should have a studio in the Creative Quarter. Folkestone businessmen recognise his expertise and have asked him to open a commercial bank in Folkestone.
Therefore, Digger has all the qualifications to say, “I think something is wrong!” But, hey, the Creative Quarter is new to Folkestone as are the Creative Foundation team. Does any one expect them to get it right on day one? They are creating opportunities for unknown and new artists. Times have changed and it is the children of the middle classes who, having received a good degree, have turned their backs on traditional jobs in banks and offices and taken up the challenge offered by the Creative Foundation. In an article, I have seen from Digger he says, “It is time that will tell if these artists will survive as talented.” It is also time that will tell if those going through the University Complex will be radical enough to create change and drive out the middle classes now ensconced in the Creative Quarter. The truth is that it never happened in the 1950s or 60s it was not a working class revolution that brought the rock generation to the fore but a mix of middle and working class kids. It has been said that Digger is against De Haan and the Creative Foundation and all it stands for. How wrong can you be, De Haan and Digger sound much alike, they both love Folkestone, they both want to see the youth given a chance to achieve success. There is an area that I have to agree with Digger, where are the promised café and bars. In the 1950s and 60s there were dozens of small cafes between the harbour and the town centre selling frothy coffee, burgers and chips. My father tells me that the Old High Street, Tontine Street, and Rendezvous Street was awash with the noise of music from Jukeboxes and Bands and teenagers moving from café to café. What made kids of the time sit in a café drinking coffees and Coke and enjoying it? The music. It was music the kids could make themselves, for about twenty quid you could buy a guitar and a Burt Weedon Play in a Day book and within a few weeks you had a group and within a couple of months you were playing to the public somewhere if you were any good. Perhaps it is time we broke the pre-packaged X-Factor mould and brought back the likes of Rock-n-roll, and Punk or something new, something anarchic to frighten the establishment and parents. We have had sounds from all parts of England so kids lets have the Folkestone sound and bring back the revolution.