This card was posted in 1935, and as I can read the word Majesties, I would guess it was made to honour the 40th wedding anniversary of King George V and Queen Mary which was in 1933
Celebrating the 1938 Cricket Festival
The Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth 11 in 2012. This photo was kindly sent to me, and I omitted to make note of the name. If it was yours, please let me know.
The Borough Seal of Folkestone in 1939
The Coronation of King George V1 in 1937
Saying goodbye to the R.A.F. and the W.R. A.F who left Hawkinge Aerodrome in 1961
Putting this one up, I thought at first I had bought the same card twice, then I realised that although it was probably photographed twice on the same day, it is not the same card. If you compare it with the one on the left, the same car is parked, and some of the people are the same, but not all. Different publishers, and obviously one had a better camera!
Another almost duplicate. My card of the Cricket Festival at the top shows the Leas right down to the bandstand. The same bed, sent to me by Jeremy O'Keeffe was taken a lot closer, and tells you the match was between Australia and England.
Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain in 1965, the battle that gave Dover/Folkestone and districts the nickname of Hell Fire Corner, as we all really took a beating. There is an interesting Pathé News video on this page, although it only mentions Dover, but you do get to see the wounded being unloaded at the Victoria Hospital. It is also very complimentary to the Canadians, who were credited with 'finishing the job in Calais', and once the civilians had been evacuated, they went in and 'paid the debt for Dover'.
William Richard Cotter VC (March 1882 – 14 March 1916) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Cotter was born in Folkestone, Kent in 1882[1] the son of Richard and Amy Cotter, his father who had been born in Ireland was described in the 1891 census of Elham as a plasterer's labourer.[2]
He was 33 years old, and an Acting Corporal in the 6th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 6 March 1916 near Hohenzollern Redoubt, France, Corporal Cotter's leg was blown off at the knee and he was also wounded in both arms. He nevertheless made his way unaided for 50 yards to a crater, steadied the men who were holding it, controlled their fire, issued orders and altered their dispositions to meet a fresh counter-attack. For two hours he held his position and only allowed his wounds to be roughly dressed when the attack had quietened down. He could not be moved back for 14 hours and during all this time he had a cheery word for everyone.[3]
He was buried at Lillers Communal Cemetery, France which is 7 miles north west of Bethune. Plot IV. Row E. Grave 45.[4]
His Victoria Cross was on display at The Buffs Regimental Museum, Canterbury, England. With the rest of that museum's collections, it has now been transferred to the National Army Museum, where it is not currently on display.
The Amazing Brewery Co. based at the Ship Inn in Sandgate, Folkestone, brews a classic bitter - Amazing Cotter VC - in his honour.
Source: Wikipedia
I remember looking at this one in person around 1960 and thinking it was a lovely way to welcome visitors to Folkestone. The sails on the windmill went slowly round and round. I wonder how they got the electricity running to it without the wiring showing? Imagine it was buried in the actual bed, but I don't know where the electrical outlet would have been.
Queen Elizabeth 11 was crowned on June 2nd 1953, and as usual Folkestone made sure the occasion was marked on the Leas with a floral display. The one on the right is shown at night, and the one below that, in daylight. I bet it was pretty in colour too. The daylight card was posted on July 31, 1953, and says "I thought you would be interested in this Coronation bed on the Leas. It is really done most beautifully, but it is difficult to get a good photo of it. It is most artistic." I for one am in full agreement!
When I first put this page up, she was still on the throne and in good health. By sheer coincidence, I am updating this page, and typing this on the 21st April, 2026, the 100th anniversary of her birth. She died on the 8th September, 2022 - I miss her.
If you own a card or photo of one of Folkestone's floral display beds that is not already here, please send me a scan, I would love to add it, along with your name as the owner. You can send it to folkestonethenandnow@gmail.com Come on, let's see if we can get a page showing the whole collection of beautiful themed floral beds.
Page updated April 21, 2026
Slightly different to the other windmill bed shown above it. This one contained fifty-five thousand plants, that's a lot of plants! and like the other one, the sails rotated slowly. This card was posted in 1954.
This website is best viewed with a screen resolution of 1152 x 864
This nice floral clock was sent to me by Chris, but I forgot to ask what it said at the top of the clock, it is obviously in celebration of someone's Diamond Jubilee in 2003, but I can't make out who or what it was. I think the last word might be Guild, but I wouldn't swear to it. So if someone could let me know who was celebrating 60 years in 2003 - and don't tell me it was your Uncle Harry, ha ha! I mean someone who merited the Council going to the expense of a floral clock. I am sure your Uncle Harry would have merited one if they had known him though.
I will end with a very good cause. The Rainbow Centre are right across England and Wales, helping people who have hit hard times, whether it is with food, shelter, help getting access to services they need etc. They have been tirelessly doing this for a lot longer than the anniversary they were celebrating here. In Folkestone they are located at 69 Sandgate Road, but they cover lots of nearby places too, like Hythe, Hawkinge, Lydd, New Romney etc. Their hours are Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Closed on weekends. tel:+441303850733
I believe they are always looking for both volunteer or financial help too, so please give them a call.