In its 140 years of existence, the Folkestone Leas Lift has been a silent witness to the many transformations of the town: from sleepy fisherman’s village to popular Victorian seaside resort, from garrison town to beach holiday destination in the swinging sixties, and now centre of the arts in East Kent. A historic artefact and remarkably green mode of transport in one, its continuing presence makes the Leas Lift in a sense timeless, connecting people to the past, present and future of the town. What better location to entrust a time capsule to, with messages from the local community to future generations living in Folkestone.
The public is given the opportunity to leave a personal message to future generations in exchange for a donation of £10, £100, £250 or £500. Each donation offers a different reward, with the £250 and £500 donations offering the donor the opportunity to have their message engraved on a brass plate and attached to one of the 104 railway sleepers of the Lift.
Following your donation, you will receive an email from Folkestone Leas Lift to explain where to send the text for your message. Look out for an email from [email protected]!
All messages together will have a home at the Leas Lift, Folkestone's time capsule, semi-interred into the pre-historic cliff face overlooking the Channel for centuries to come.
With the money raised through this campaign we'll organise activities and events for the community during the restoration, and once the Lift re-opens to the public.