Asked a cllr where they think the HQ of the amazing new Mid Kent Unitary Authority should be located. Ashford, maybe? Sittingbourne, perhaps? "It really should have good transport links from all parts of the authority, and on that basis, I guess we have to look at St Pancras."

In this week's Dispatch we speak to local author Jo Bavington-Jones about her Folkestone-set crime series and realising her dream of becoming a writer...

This evening we launched our new weekly what's on email: On The Town. This week, news of the line-up for this year's Folkestone Book Festival and plenty more...

🎉 Very happy to tell you the Dispatch was highly commended in the Kent Voices Award category at this year's Kent Press & Broadcast Awards, which were presented at a ceremony in Canterbury last Friday. Thanks to @maximpr.bsky.social, the judges and sponsors for making the event possible! #kpba

Finds from an Anglo-Saxon cemetery are to go on show at Folkestone Museum this week. We visited the top-secret dig site to find out more about the remarkable artefacts uncovered by archaeologists...

❤️ A lovely message received today from our newest paid subscriber. It is always wonderful to hear from our readers, and know that they value the work we do. Join them? folkestonedispatch.substack.com/subscribe

Next week Folkestone will pay moving tribute to fallen Canadian soldiers in a tradition that goes back more than a century. Ahead of Canada Day, in this week's Dispatch we explain the enduring bond between the North American nation and our town...

Great to be part of this event for @publicinterestnews.org.uk Indie News Week, speaking about @folkestonedispatch.substack.com and how we're all trying to make new models of local journalism work

We held a panel discussion on local journalism with Christine Rayner, former editor of the East Kent Gazette, and @rhysdgriffiths.bsky.social of @folkestonedispatch.substack.com. The clearest themes were that we need real relationships with our communities and enough reader support to sustain us.

To mark Refugee Week, in this week’s Dispatch we look at the work of local charity Kent Refugee Action Network and hear from their media ambassador, who herself came to the UK from Eritrea...

Concerns have been raised about birds dying after getting trapped in netting at this town centre supermarket. But the response from the company has been branded 'half-hearted'...

In today's Dispatch we report on the council's escalating bill for temporary accommodation for those facing homelessness in the district. The costs have more than doubled in a year, rising to almost £2 million in the last financial year...

We are delighted that the Dispatch has been shortlisted for the Kent Voices Award at this year's Kent Press & Broadcast Awards. This award recognises those 'going the extra mile to serve their local community' and we are proud to be among the four finalists www.kpbawards.co.uk/finalists #kpba

We were out with the wonderful Folkestone Fellas for their monthly 'walk and talk' this morning. Always a great get-together and a chance to meet some new faces! Find out more about the Fellas here: folkestonedispatch.substack.com/p/folkestone...

Folkestone's new library in Sandgate Road opened to the public yesterday. We were among the first through the doors to take a look...

We are delighted that the Dispatch has been shortlisted for the Kent Voices Award at this year's Kent Press & Broadcast Awards. This award recognises those 'going the extra mile to serve their local community' and we are proud to be among the four finalists www.kpbawards.co.uk/finalists #kpba

In this week's newsletter we hear from the developers behind plans for flats in the town's former Debenhams department store...

This couple loved the Harbour Arm when they first visited Folkestone. Now their story has come full circle as they open a business in the Goods Yard. We went to meet them...

So proud of @rhysdgriffiths.bsky.social and what he's achieved in the first year of @folkestonedispatch.substack.com. Kent needs more hyperlocal journalism like it.

A major milestone for the Dispatch! Thanks to everyone who has joined us on this journey...

His plans for a new war memorial were thrown out and branded 'insulting', but this local history enthusiast tells the Dispatch he has 'no animosity' towards the councillors who thwarted his scheme...

In this week's newsletter we go inside the Folkestone Sports Centre to hear about progress towards reopening this summer - and see the recent shocking damage done by trespassers...

🏆 In this week's newsletter @fifc.bsky.social chairman Josh Healey tells us 'nothing will beat this feeling' after the team's title win...

In this week's newsletter we look at the action being taken to try to turn around our under-performing NHS trust...

In this week's newsletter we hear more about a project aiming to make the town's imposing viaduct a home for graffiti and street art...

But another wonderful reader took up our offer on annual subs (below) this morning, so I am already up on the deal for the day. And I've had a lovely walk by the sea. So all good... folkestonedispatch.substack.com/onethousand

Logging on for my traditional Monday procrastination session before I write the entirety of the @folkestonedispatch.substack.com tomorrow in a blind panic. A very comfortable routine...

Funnily enough, a day after this was published, Southeastern put out a press release today boasting of big rises in season-ticket sales in Kent (be interesting to see where it gets regurgitated)

When users revolt against your pricing strategy: "... more than 300 regular travellers trade tickets for trains between Folkestone and London, often ones purchased well in advance—to secure the very cheapest fares—but which are no longer needed." folkestonedispatch.substack.com/p/commuters-...

To celebrate reaching 1,000 subscribers we are running a limited-time offer of 20% off an annual paid subscription. This is what the first person to claim the discount had to say... Join them here: folkestonedispatch.substack.com/onethousand

More than 1,000 people have now signed up to receive the Dispatch each week. This is an incredibly significant milestone on our journey towards making this newsletter a sustainable source of independent journalism. Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far, we are just getting started...

In the second part of our special report into the state of the town's train services, we look at the issue of fares and hear from Southeastern...

Folkestone is now home to what has been billed as 'the UK’s largest beach spa' and it opens to the public this weekend. We met the co-founder of Sea Scrub Sauna to find out more...

Now our most-read story since we launched almost a year ago...

In the first of a two-part special report, we reveal results of our survey of rail passengers about the state of services from Folkestone...

This week's newsletter is out now...

This week's newsletter is out now...

In this week's newsletter we hear more about a fun event with a serious message...

Today is #TimeToTalkDay and is a chance to reflect on mental health support. In 2026 the Dispatch is raising money for South Kent Mind, our charity of the year. You can donate to this important cause here...

In this week's newsletter we look at some of the questions surrounding the prospect of a Folkestone bid for the crown of UK Town of Culture 2028...

Another twist in the ongoing saga of the former library building in Grace Hill? This week's newsletter is out now...

🎉 Thank you to everyone who has joined us on this journey to build sustainable, independent local journalism for Folkestone. Join us today: folkestonedispatch.substack.com/subscribe

This week's Dispatch is out now...

Thank you to those who have already donated to our 2026 fundraiser for our charity of the year, South Kent Mind Could you spare a few pounds to support this important cause? Every little helps...

We are delighted to name South Kent Mind as our charity of the year. Find out how you can help support this great cause...

Because we've been enjoying the Christmas break and trying to avoid any exertion where possible, this week's newsletter is a look back on the year...

🎄 Wishing all our readers a very merry Christmas!

This week's newsletter is out now...

In this week's Dispatch we visit the Folkestone Rainbow Centre to hear about the winter shelter and how it helps change the lives of homeless people in our town

This week's Dispatch is out now...