Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
4 January 2010
08:5336286You may remember the various articles over the last couple of years about Walter Tull, the First Black Officer and Footballer ?
Walter is named on two of our (Dover) memorials; his family came from, lived in, and still live, in Dover.
Now, there is to be a book-launch on Walter on the 9th. of January in Folkestone
There is an open invitation for the book launch from Raw Press, but please email them to let them know you are coming; you can send your email to:
teresa@rawpress.co.uk
Time: 2.30pm
Date: Saturday 9 January 2010
Venue: The Grand, The Leas, Folkestone
I understand various people will be there, including the Mayor of Folkestone, and Michael Howard, but, as it's a Saturday, the premier league footballers can't be there as they have other commitments !
Maybe see you there ?
Roger
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,023
4 January 2010
10:2536290Why not Dover .?
Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
4 January 2010
11:3436291It's not being held in Dover, Sue, because Walter Tull has connections to Folkestone equally as strong as Dover, if not more so. He went to school in Folkestone, lived in Folkestone and in all probability embarked in Folkestone for the Western Front (twice). This year Folkestone Town Council will be unveiling two plaques in his memory - one in the Garden of Remembrance and one on the wall of his old school, which has renamed a sports pavilion in his honour; at c.£800 each, these plaques are not cheap, and for FTC to place two of them in his honour represents a good deal in terms of cooperation and funding.
Finally, it's being held at The Grand because the owner, Michael Stainer, paid a great deal of money to take the Walter Tull Exhibition there in July last year, and has arranged the book signing and launch privately with the publishers and author. All in all, Folkestone Town Council and the business community of the town have invested much in the Walter Tull story, and deserve any benefit that may come of it. I take my hat off to Lawrence Avory, Folkestone Town Clerk, for actively wanting the town's involvement and promoting it in conjunction with the business community. It's something we need to do more of ourselves here in Dover.
The Dover War Memorial Project (and Friends of) - which carried out much of the background research into the Walter Tull exhibition and some for Phil Vasili to use in his new book - will be represented by myself, our Chairman Michelle Cooper and our Treasurer Brian Rowland. We are hopeful that some of our volunteers will also be there, as well as Maggie Stephenson-Knight and Simon Chambers. The emails will be doing the rounds this week. We hope to see many of you there; Dover has much to be proud of in the story of Walter Tull and it would be nice to see a few Dovorians there.
True friends stab you in the front.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,023
4 January 2010
11:5036293Thanks for that Andy .I had not appreciated the Folkestone connection .I know his name is on River War memorial .I have recevied an invite also .
Guest 650- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 542
4 January 2010
12:3136295Walter's name is on the River memorial because his family lived at River for very many years, and it was they who requested his name should be there. They attended the unveiling, and laid a wreath in his honour. Walter's sisters were married at River church, and his sister Miriam, her husband, and their son, all sang in the choir there - again for many years. Miriam and her mother Clara, Walter's aunt and stepmother, are buried in River churchyard. There are many more connections with Dover, with Hougham (where Walter's mother and stepmother were christened and where his English ancestors are noted since the 1600s) and with Alkham (where Daniel, Walter's father, was even witness to Walter's uncle's wedding).
All the Walter Tull events during the year-long commemorations were held in Dover. They were run on a shoestring, and happened only through the dedication and extremely hard work of volunteers from the DWMP (that's Simon and me) and Friends to stage them. Even so, we could only do this with support from those who offered premises and refreshments for the events, which groups, Dover Town Council, Crabble Corn Mill, Dover Library, and a further benefactor, we thank most sincerely.
Guest 650- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 542
4 January 2010
12:5736299Sorry for the double post - I have just received this from Teresa, at Raw Press, the publishers of the book:
THE PFA & FURD SPONSOR THE LAUNCH OF
WALTER TULL 1888-1918 OFFICER, FOOTBALLER
BY PHIL VASILI
The launch is to be hosted by The Grand at The Leas, Folkestone on Saturday 9 January at 2.30-4pm in the presence of Walter Tull's decendents and the people of Folkestone and Dover, celebrating the life of Walter Tull and his historical significance.
Also attending will be the Vice Chairman of the Queen Mother's charity, Step-Short, the Town Major of Folkestone, Members of Parliament, representatives from National Army Museum and the Dover War Memorial Project, Councillors from Folkestone and Dover, the Deputy High Commissioner of Barbados.
The people of Folkestone and Dover join in celebrating the committal of Walter Tull's history to pros and its entrance into education.
The Department of Children, Schools and Families quote an extract from Phil Vasili's biography of Walter Tull in a powerpoint presentation on their website which advises on how to teach Walter Tull to Year 4 pupils.
Guest 650- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 542
7 January 2010
10:3236662Just to let everyone know, owing to the wather and the forecast, the Walter Tull Book Launch has been postponed. There will be a new date, probably at the beginning of March, but this is to be confirmed.
Ah well. Perhaps the old adage will work here - good things come ot those who wait?
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
7 January 2010
13:5736690Maggie my wife and myself would also like to come now it has be put back i hope to be up and about by then.
Guest 650- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 542
7 January 2010
17:3736716Indeed, Vic! We have two other people who also had hospital dates and so wouldn't have been able to make this Saturday - but will be able, we hope very much, to make the new date.
I've just heard that it's to be 5th March at 4pm, still at The Grand. I hope this will suit
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
7 January 2010
18:2236722That will do fine,do we need tickets or just turn up.I go into hospital at Margate on the 23 of Jan so i hope to be up and running by then, and i wish you a very happy new year.
Guest 650- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 542
8 January 2010
09:3336775The hosts were considering replacement invitations. However, if anyone should be interested with this new date and venue, do please let me know, as the hosts will wish to have an estimate of numbers. Roger will also very kindly be sening round his mailing list members with new information
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
8 January 2010
18:0536804Yes, I've already done that.
Roger