04/08/2014 South East Today

special programme in Folkestone Prince Harry came down to open a

permanent memorial to the crucial role in the town played in World War

I. This site is very special. Millions of servicemen made their

journey from Folkestone to the trenches of the Western Front. 0

million people came through Folkestone, going to and returning

to the Western Front. The ilpact is still being felt today. Manx of you

joined in events across the South East. Also tonight, migrants in Cali

are given just weeks to leave whether camps are demolished.

And police investigating thd Eastbourne Pier fire say thdy're

very pleased with the response from a public appeal for help.

We have a special live programme CD in Folkestone. Prince Harry came

down to dedicate this memorhal arch. The only permanent, new memorial to

the World War I centenary. This is the 100th anniversary of thd de

World War I broke out. This arch has been paid for by different

campaigners. This step short order was the name given to the troops as

they marched down to the harbour. 10 million journeys were made between

Folkestone and France during the First World War as men and supplies

were taking it to and from the Western Front. As well as the

dedication by Prince Harry, thousands of people were here to see

that and the breed is leading to the harbour and to laying a wre`th to

honour those who gave their lives during World War I.

Peter Whittlesea reports on an emotional morning for thd town.

Today Prince Harry had a du`l role. Officially opening the memorial

arch. He led a wreath to those who never returned. The crowds were

excited to see his Royal is but mindful this royal occasion was

about marking the part Folkdstone played in the Great Wall. Occasions

like this, you should look to the people who served in the war lost

their lives. It means a gre`t deal. As a family, we are passion`tely

involved with anything to do with the war because of our fathdrs part

in it. It is very important that this memorial will be user permanent

memory and people remember what they stood for. This corporal was

marching with his great`grandfather's medals. It was a

personal journey. I was fortunate enough to meet my great grandad when

I was very little. It is grdat to be here to remember all those who

served and lost their lives in the conflict. It is a fantastic honour

to be here today and to havd his medals here with

marched down the road of remembrance, 100 years ago the order

was to step short, to stop them slipping on their hobnailed boots on

this steep slope. Until tod`y this was the only memorial to thd tens of

thousands of men who left Folkestone for France. It was made frol the

granite which paved this ro`d. Its peers and inscription by Tennyson.

For those who set up the stdp short charity, this celebration h`s been

the climax of four years work. We want to remember all the millions of

men and women who passed through Folkestone 100 years ago. Btt we did

not have any dream of this dver happening. We have become a national

project. As Prince Harry left there was a sense of pride is at last the

town had paid tribute to its crucial role in the past. It has bedn an

emotional day here in Folkestone. Letters to two with some people who

have been involved in getting it organised. You have been involved

with this campaign fell on time You designed this magnificent arch.

Yes, it is in place after all these years. It existed on my computer

screen. Now I can look at it in the flesh. Are you pleased with how it

has come out? It has stainldss steel and lights inside it. I think it

looks spectacular. It is Duplex stainless steel which means it

should last for a 200 years before it needs cleaned, despite the

seagulls. I am pleased with the landscaping around it as well. I

love the information. I saw a little boy sitting down near and hd said

USC `` USB, that is America. I want children to come down and enjoy this

environment. Thank you very much. You have been involved with this

campaign all the way through as well. How important has tod`y been?

Tremayne Disley important. Ht is the centenary. `` tremendously

important. Millions of men larched through. It is hugely poign`nt that

we remember that. Many of them did not return. They left familhes

behind, mothers and children. The loss of life must have been

horrendous for the people ldft behind in this country. Thotsands of

people came out to watch thd parade today, it was extraordinary. It was.

It was marvellous. We had this service March and we had thd

civilian march. Lots of people were enjoying it. We had intervidwers

speaking to people. The children were amazing. I am glad it has all

gone well, I am sorry but wd have to leave it. Thank you for joining us.

We will return to the arch when we take a more in`depth look at the

role Folkestone played in the First World War.

Detectives in Sussex investhgating the fire on Eastbourne Pier say they

are very pleased with the response they've had to

A large section of the Victorian structure was destroyed

in the blaze last week and police announced on Friday that

A new week and a fresh crowd of visitors. Far from putting tourists

off, this shell has become `n attraction in itself. A lot of

people went to come here to see what happened and find out more `bout it.

We came down here today and we saw the Eastbourne Pier and it hs very

sad. People are curious. Thhs sightseeing business says ntmbers

are up. There is a morbid attraction to see something like theirs and we

are also in the hate of the season. Eastbourne is popular throughout the

summer. New footage emerged from a lifeboat today. The crew melbers

helped to fight the fire. When we first turned up, the main arcade was

well alight. The flames werd then spreading to this other sidd. Police

are now treating it as susphcious. The police said they have rdceived

around 40 responses to their appeal for photos and video taking here

just before the fire started. They still want more in the hope that one

put a graphite they could ghve them a significant lead. Items wdre being

removed today as traders trx to salvage what is left. A fund set up

by residents has now reached over ?2000.

Police hunting a man who left a supermarket security guard with a 10

centimetre wound across his stomach have released a CCTV picturd of two

The guard chased three people from the Sainsbury's store

in Kingsmead Road in Canterbury after an alarm sounded at

Thousands of people took to the streets of Brighton

at the weekend to celebrate the city's annual gay Pride festival.

While much of the event passed off peacefully, Sussex Police made

28 arrests ` but are also appealing for witnesses to an assault.

Our reporter Piers Hopkirk joins us live from Brighton.

Can you tell us what is said to have happened?

Three members hacked. One w`s punched unconscious. It happens

around five o'clock on Saturday afternoon. According to the police,

words had been exchanged between two groups of men which led to `

44`year`old man being punchdd and knocked out. When his two friends

intervenes, they were also `ttacked and subject to racist and homophobic

taunts. Police are looking for information but stressed thhs was an

isolated incident. The march passed off peacefully. 100,000 people enjoy

the festivities, just 20 arrests. Thank you very much.

In other news, authorities in Calais have delayed

the clearing of two migrant camps for several weeks ` even though

French authorities say they will use the time to try to persuade

the migrants to go home, or apply for asylum in France.

Last night, tensions in one of the camps led to violent clashes

I have from central governmdnt extra powers which will increase

surveillance and increase surveillance throughout the night.

This is our top story tonight. Prince Harry has unveiled

a monument in Folkestone, where millions of soldiers marched to

boats taking them across thd Channel The memorial arch was built

as part of commemorations m`rking the centenary today of Brit`in's

involvement in World War Ond. An electricity link station with

a view ` just ?275,000 for the Dungeness property dstate

agents call "unique". We will look back at the rule

Folkestone played for many. The last time they would ever see Brhtain.

it needs quite a bit of work and the surroundings are bldak ` but

this small electricity link station at Dungeness has gone on thd market

It's a utilitarian architectural gem, and

there is planning permission for a four bedroom house but any buyer has

got to build it ` and fast, as Jon Hunt reports.

It is certainly distinctive, set amidst the fishing cottages and the

nuclear power station. Nestling on a match `` National nature reserve.

Can you imagine this being xour dream holiday home? Even with its

price tag, visitors thought it was good value. Some of these houses

here fetch 400,000. These thny cottages. So, it is what yot make of

it. I would pay double, the place is so tranquil, it is gorgeous. I have

come three times. In my lind of work I were to relax. This buildhng used

to house a massive switch which connected and disconnected the

electricity grids of France and Britain. Long cables ran from here

to Boulogne in France. The switching remained in France `` insidd until

it was removed by the National Grid. That is planning permission to

convert it into a holiday house One expert believes it could earn half

?1 million after that is converted. It seems a bit steep but it is such

a unique property. Places lhke this are not around. Hence the price tag.

Properties here sell at a premium. This cottage was marketed at a

quarter of ?1 million in 2009. People who come here to visht say it

is heaven on earth. We return now to the centenary of World War H.

In Brighton, wreaths were laid earlier today

in Regency Square ` and a bus covered in images of wartime

Sussex will run throughout the city for the next four years to try to

Poppies have been planted in prominent positions across the Lewes

The poppies were sewn in Max as Lewes District Council showed

its support for the British Legion's Centenary Poppy Campaign.

Among the areas poppies werd planted ` and have now begun to flower `

And events are also taking place in Ashford ` a historic

World War One tank has been in the town centre for nearly 100 xears.

And you've been sending us pictures from the Folkestond

Megan Roberts sent us this picture of the memorial arch and

Chris Jarvest sent us this picture of veterans on the Leas

And Julie Stanley from Dover sent us this photograph

of Prince Harry alongside the local MP, Damian Collins.

Well, that's it from me herd in the studio, let's cross back to

Thank you very much. We are still under the arch here. There hs a huge

compass Rose here under the arch which contains the nations who took

part in the war, which has some surprising ones like Russia and

Nepal. Letters talk to the LP for Folkestone. You were also the

chairman of this charity and you were there at the beginning, seven

years ago. That's right. We wanted to tell their story of Folkdstone's

role in the war and the centenary seem to be the perfect opportunity

for that. The project involved a number of events. We are looking to

tell the story of the millions of men who came through this arch.

Women as well? Yes, women played a vital role in the war effort with

factorsies supporting the front line. He worked as nurses. We want

their story to be remembered as well. It does not just commdmorate

those who made the ultimate sacrifice, it remembers all those

who served during the war. On a personal note, what was likd all

coming together today? It w`s a member. To remember those who served

in the war and the huge number of people who worked on this project

can be very proud of it. Let us chat to other people involved in the

project. These people are p`rt of a living history group. You are

private in the Royal West Kdnt Regiment? I am, yes. I do it to keep

alive the memory of members of my family who fought and served in the

First World War. This magnificent arch helps to keep their melory

alive. I am stepping in thehr footsteps before they went to war.

Was it quite an emotional d`y for you today? Absolutely. I have been

looking forward to it for a long time. To be involved in this

beautiful monuments, bringing their history back, creating 100 xears,

remembering those fallen in the great War, I am honoured to be here

today. Thank you very much. Folkestone has changed a lot over

the years. Back in 1914, it was a very glamorous Place2Be. Thhs spot

was regarded as being one of the most wealthy holiday resorts in the

whole of Europe. Within months of the outbreak of war, all th`t

changed and the town became an enormous army billet. Many of the

hotels turned into hospitals and accommodation for soldiers. Sara

Smith has looked at the imp`ct of the war of the town.

On their way to the front lhne, the last glimpse of friendly territory,

a seaside town which would be changed for ever. That summdr of

1914, it was a lovely summer, and is as over the past 15 years,

Folkestone was very popular with the middle and upper`class to hhs trade.

This was the place to be. `` to list trade. This was the place to

promenade. The coming years brought dramatic change. Large housds and

hotels were requisitions. The grass was turned up. The traffic dscalated

beyond any kind of numbers that was known. Hundreds of thousands of

troops marching through Folkestone to be disbursed to the conthnent.

Troops also coming back. Folkestone had been a garrison town for 20

years, but this was on a different scale. Men came from across the

Empire to answer the call to fight. The British Army had a big lap and

Folkestone was at the dead centre of this map to get the army on the

move. The town welcomes the new arrivals, especially the Canadians

who were billeted in local homes. After the war, Folkestone would

never be the same. Times had changed. We never went back to the

posh frocks and the masses of people wandering along the beach. There

does remain on a hill overlooking the sea a constant reminder of those

men from across the world who never made it home. We have just loved

location from the arch to the top of slope roads. You can see it is a

steep hill going to enter the harbour. It used to be covered in

the annex cobbles. They werd used to make one of the early memorhals You

also notice all along the r`ilings, there are thousands of hand`knitted

poppies. Quite touching and moving in a strange way because each one of

them tells a different storx. Letters talk to someone who can tell

us about it. `` let us talk. You live here, don't you? Yes I do. The

idea came from research othdrs doing about my great grandfather fought in

the First World War. By coincidence I realised he had left from

Folkestone so I started crocheting poppies as a small token and then it

grew from there. Everyone w`nted to get involved. When you see

everybody, you have poppies from all over the world? Yes, becausd I run a

network on Facebook, we gendrated information through that and got

people from the Netherlands, France and America is sending in poppies.

You to carry on, don't you? Yes for sure. `` you want to carry on. How

can people get involved? We can send me an e`mail and we will give them

information and patterns. Thank you very much. As the parade moved off

today, they would have passdd all these poppies and went on to the

harbour were a series of spdcial events have been going on. Charlie

Rose reports on the people who have been taking part in those. Gather to

remember, on a daily will ndver forget. It is a mix of commdmorating

and watching English tradithons It is a great show. We also like Prince

Harry. I was trying to introduce into my 18`year`old daughter. I

could be his new mother`in`law! Any success? He grounds but he was a bit

shocked as we screamed, Harry, take her. What was he wearing? A fancy

costume and a hat. Acute hat. They were thrilled to see his Roxal who

got rockers support wherever you went and one or two bunches of

flowers and a proposal of m`rriage shouted from the crowd. Hundreds of

balloons were released into the sky, each carrying the name of a

fallen soldier. It was from here that 6 million men embarked for the

continent not knowing how long they would be there. Many not knowing

that they would not return. It has been a very proud day, but `lso a

very evocative day. For the people of Folkestone, it is the dax Prince

Harry helped them mark 100 xears since the start of World War I.

There is the arch, looking magnificent in the sunlight. Rachel

is here with us. What is thd weather for the next few days?

Today has been a day of sunshine and showers, they held off for when

Prince Harry unveiled the arch but we have plenty to come. Temperatures

have reached highs of 21 degrees. Or sunshine brought temperaturds of 23

degrees. `` more sunshine. Showers were moving to the East this

afternoon and they will continue moving East tonight. Clear skies

developing. In rural spots ht will feel colder. From tomorrow, plenty

of sunshine to start the dax. More close by the afternoon with

temperatures colder than today. Still in the low 20s. Fairlx light

winds but they will pick up as we go through tomorrow night. It will stay

dry during the day tomorrow. Some spots of rain as we see the cloud

cover and that is ahead of the rain into Tuesday and Wednesday. Through

tomorrow night it will be mhke and damp with temperatures around 1

degrees. Increasingly wet on Wednesday. Good news for gardeners.

It will be a much brighter picture during Wednesday afternoon. 21

degrees on Wednesday. A settled story on Thursday. Showers `nd a

settled story on Thursday. Showers and further rain towards thd weekend

but sunshine for the next couple of days and also some rain. Th`nk you

very much. As the sun goes down it will reveal one more surprise. There

are 100 Diamond lights inside the arch which will shine into the dark

this. There is the lights ott campaign tonight. The British Legion

is encouraging everyone to switch off the lights between ten `nd 1pm.

We will be here with the late use at 10:30pm. We leave you now