Unsung Heroes & Heroines: 1 – John Barber of Folkestone Festivals
Where to begin is difficult as there are so many unsung heroes and heroines in our community. From Lydd to Lyminge, these unsung people beaver away behind the scenes making things happen for our community, and in our community.
The Shepway Vox Team will be running a series of blogs on the unsung heroes and heroines who make our community great. They do so much but all too often we don’t know who these people are. They rarely get the thanks for all their efforts they deserve. Their efforts bring joy and happiness to many of us across our wonderful district. They, we believe, deserve our thanks.
Our first unsung hero is John Barber.
John Barber (pictured) is a person you probably don’t know. He is the individual behind Folkestone Festivals (FF). FF put on music at the Bandstand in Folkestone. John works tirelessy to make things happen, along with the committee who are all volunteers.
FF started in 2008. It began in the town to draw people into the high street and over time it morphed and moved onto the bandstand, where a programme of music is put on from June – 1st October.
FF’s work has brought joy to thousands of people each summer for the last fifteen years. All the events they put on are FREE. They raise money from the District Council, the Town Council Sponsors and private donations.
For fifteen years John Barber has helped make our community a better place for all during the summer months. We thank him for his tireless work behind the scenes. His work makes a huge difference, because for a moment on a sunny day on the Leas, we can’t forget all our troubles, forget all our cares and go down to the Bandstand and enjoy the Sound of music, free to rich and poor alike.
If you know a unsung hero or heroine that makes a difference in your community, and you believe deserves a shout out, please do get in touch at:
shepwayvox@riseup.net
The Shepway Vox Team
Not funded by Hedgefunds or Barons
Thank you John, you bring joy to so many, weekends wouldn’t be the same without the entertainment at the bandstand.
Alex GG
I second this. A true stalwart of live music for Folkestone.
I couldn’t imagine the Leas Bandstand without him.
John Barber is a good chap. I seem to recall he was the person responsible for bringing back the airshow (when it was still a proper airshow) after SDC had decided no one in the town was interested in such things.
Hear hear to the above comments. The music at the Bandstand in summer is absolutely terrific