The Elephant in The Room Exhibition

Since 2017 the two carriages of Folkestone’s iconic Leas Lift have hung, suspended midway on the cliffside overlooking the seafront. Former Lift operator Edwin Thomas said, “I remember parking them there on the last day we were open and they haven’t moved since”. They sit patiently waiting for the day when the rush of water will once again lurch the carriages into action and start carrying passengers from the town centre to the seafront and back again. It now appears that this pipe dream is destined to come true.

Strange Cargo was commissioned to spend time talking to people whose voices are often hidden, to invite their contribution to this important process of consultation and together they have created an exhibition of colourful pictures, personal memories, and pertinent suggestions to add to the mix.

The Elephant in the Room exhibition took place at Strange Cargo’s Cheriton Gallery. Walls were filled with colourful, framed pictures of areas within walking distance of the Lift, a reminder of the places we will all find much easier to get to once the Lift is working again.

Participants of all ages, from Mind, The Beacon, Touchbase, Age UK and the Nepalese Centre have been the groups involved.