Folkestone was the UK’s epicentre for troop movements to and from the Great War’s Western Front in 1914-18;  it is estimated that about 10,000,000 Channel passages were made from Folkestone to Boulogne, protected by the Dover Patrol, although only about 8,000,000 returned the same way

Most troops assembled on The Leas, Folkestone’s seaside promenade atop the 150 ft high cliffs, and then marched down the steep ‘Slope Road’ to the harbour for embarkation.   Because of the severe gradient, the order ‘Step-Short’ was given, hence the name of the organisation now established to make preparations for marking the centenary of the outbreak of hostilities in 2014

After the Armistice an obelisk was constructed at the top of the road, its name was changed to the Road of Remembrance, and rosemary was planted along its southern length in commemoration of the millions who died.   A fine memorial to the local fallen was also erected.

As part of the preparations, various projects are in contemplation:

• War Memorial:  refurbish and make more accessible

• Road of Remembrance:  create a ‘time line’ along the length of the road, marking the significant battles and the estimated casualties

• Cliffs bordering the road:  to be tidied and planted

• Bunker:  to be renovated and opened up for public viewing

• CommemorativeMuseum:  to be constructed on the site of the former Toll House at the foot of the road

• Mole Canteen:  to be reopened on the harbour arm as part of the redevelopment plan

• Traffic management:  to be reviewed to improve pedestrian accessibility

Step Short 2010

August 2010

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