First employees signify big step for Folkestone’s Leas Lift
The charity charged with renovating and re-opening Folkestone’s Leas Lift has taken on its first official employees.
Charlotte Chapman and Amanda Beckett have joined Folkestone Leas Lift Company Charity as community engagement co-ordinators and have already begun work delivering heritage engagement activities.
Although the charity has a board of trustees and a team of paid consultants, Charlotte and Amanda are the charity’s first employees.
Cathy Beare, Chair of the Folkestone Leas Lift Company Charity, said: “This is another exciting step for us as activity ramps up ahead of the re-opening of the lift in 2025. It is incredibly important that we involve the local community as we develop plans so Charlotte and Amanda will be gathering stories and images; arranging visits to local schools and colleges; co-ordinating the development of a puppet show; and much more.”
Charlotte Chapman, who specialises in co-creation and community development, has 10 years’ experience in arts project management and 15 years’ experience in participation and engagement in the arts. A fan of funicular lifts, she last travelled on the lift in 2016 – the year it closed.
Charlotte said: “The Leas Lift is such an exciting structure in Folkestone because of its engineering, history, purpose and its place within the community. It’s thrilling to be working on a project that is loved by so many.
“I’m really looking forward to getting out into the community and working with groups from across Folkestone. The opportunities and vision for the lift are huge and I am particularly looking forward to public engagement through the collection of photos and aural histories at memory cafés across the community.”
Amanda Beckett has been working in the charity sector in Folkestone’s communities for 20 years. She is an experienced manager and co-ordinator of community projects, has developed volunteer-led forums and worked with children, young and older people.
Amanda said: “Not only is the Leas Lift of interest because of its historic importance as one of the oldest water lifts in the country, but it also connects so many generations with their own personal memories – it’s embedded in the timeline of their lives. I am particularly excited to meet children and young people in schools and begin to see how the lift will become part of their timeline now and into the future.
“Over the coming months I will be connecting with partner schools and delivering assemblies. This will expand to encompass workshops, visits to the Leas Lift and informing the development of teaching packs with the broader school community. I will also be liaising with engineering, technology and design departments at Canterbury Christ Church University on the build of a working model which will be toured around schools.”
The campaign to save the Grade II* Listed at risk Leas Lift – a nationally significant heritage asset – began in 2018 when volunteers came together to save the lift and ensure its future. In November 2023, the charity secured £4.8m of support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, meaning the overall fundraising target of £6.6m had been reached.
For more information on the history of the Leas Lift and the campaign to reopen it, visit leaslift.co.uk.
