Samuel Plimsoll Exhibition, Folkestone Town Hall, 19 September - 25 October 2013

An exhibition about Folkestone's local hero Samuel Plimsoll to be held in the foyer of Folkestone Town Hall (Rendezvous Street), open on weekdays from Thursday 19th September to Friday 25th October. The exhibition will also be open on Saturday 12th October.

The exhibition, with rarely seen historical material, organised under the auspices of the Folkestone Plimsoll Memorial Campaign, will celebrate the life and achievements of Folkestone's local hero Samuel Plimsoll (1824-1898), the "Sailor's Friend" who gave his name to the load line on the side of merchant ships.

His epic social, legal and political battle for justice for sailors made him a national hero and nearly brought down Disraeli's government. In his last years he lived in Folkestone, where he laid one of the foundation stones of the Folkestone United Reformed Church, and is buried in St Martin's Churchyard, Cheriton. He was famous, and active in many lastingly significant causes to the last, and is still an inspiring example of how the altruism and courage of determined individuals can make the world a better place.

The exhibition will illuminate Samuel Plimsoll's contribution to our national maritime heritage, to Folkestone, and to the global safety of sailors for ever after. It may also reveal his connection with The Beatles...