A significant piece of a historic pier has been returned to its original seafront after being discovered in a salvage yard.
The Victoria Pleasure Pier foundation stone was first placed on Folkestone’s seafront on May 7, 1887 during a ceremony led by the Viscountess Folkestone, ahead of the grand opening on July 21, 1888.
The stone is Cornish “white” granite, and its durability meant it lasted much longer than the iron pier, which was destroyed by a fire in 1945 and eventually removed in 1954.
Members of Go Folkestone, a group that promotes the town's heritage, helped restore the foundation stone.
Tony Hill from the group explained: “Having received an enquiry from a local rambler about a large stone that he had walked past on many occasions, I went to investigate.
“What I discovered was a piece of Folkestone's rich heritage, and there began my quest, through the good works of Go Folkestone, to return the stone to its rightful place.”
After the 683-foot Victoria Pleasure Pier was destroyed by fire, the stone was moved to a new location.
But after that site was also subject to a fire, the stone was rescued in 2003 by Colin Shevill who had been clearing debris.
He took it to his salvage yard where it has been kept safely for the last two decades by Colin and his wife Maureen.
Go Folkestone also arranged for a local stonemason to recut the inscription before it was officially gifted back to the town.
Residents and visitors can now visit the piece of Folkestone’s history at the end of the Lower Leas Coastal Park, close to where the original pier once stood.
