Samuel Plimsoll - Saturday 25 October 2025

The New Folkestone Society's next event:

A talk by Nicolette Jones

Saturday 25 October - doors open 2pm for a 2.30pm start

The Back Hall, The Cornerstone Centre, Castle Hill Ave, Folkestone CT20 2QR

Admission £5

In the second half of the nineteenth century, a remarkable campaign stirred a nation to save the lives of the hundreds of British sailors a year who drowned for preventable reasons. Overloaded and poorly maintained ships set sail, their doomed crews sacrificed while greedy shipowners profited from insurance. Samuel Plimsoll exposed these scandals, became a national hero, and led a dramatic social and political movement for maritime reform which still resonates today.

Writer, journalist and broadcaster Nicolette Jones’s illustrated talk chronicles the campaign of the man who spent his later years in Folkestone and was laid to rest at St Martin’s Church, Cheriton.  Nicolette is the Sunday Times children's books editor.  Her book, The Plimsoll Sensation (Little, Brown/Abacus), was a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week, received widespread critical acclaim, and won maritime literature prizes in the UK and USA.  Copies will be available for the special price of £10 (cash only).

Full details can be found on our event page and in the poster.

Admission on the door will be subject to availability.  Book today to avoid disappointment, fee free, on our TicketSource page.