The days before we became a borough

as Ashford Urban District Council with East Ashford Rural District Council, West Ashford Rural District Council and Tenterden Rural Districts. Earlier this year, Ashford celebrated its 40th year of being a borough. There were many celebrations to mark the event arranged by Ashford Borough Council which was formed in May 1974 and whose first mayor was Peter Boulden.

In previous times, the local authority was known

Many councillors and council workers of the past would barely recognise the town of Ashford now.

It has quadrupled in size and is hugely different from the quaint market town it once was.

This week’s Remember When takes a sentimental look back at those who ran our town in the days before Ashford became a borough and what Ashford looked from the air, a decade prior to the landmark transition.

Please get in touch with your memories of the town’s previous authority formation and what it meant for you either as a resident or working in local government.

Do you have any photographs or slides that you would be willing to loan to me, to enable them to be scanned and featured in the Kentish Express? If so, please write to me: Steve Salter, Kentish Express Remember When, 34-36 North Street, Ashford, TN24 8JR, email me at rememberwhen_kmash@ hotmail.co.uk or follow me on Twitter @SteveKMAshford.

You can also leave a telephone message for me with brief details by calling 01233 623232.

The East Ashford Rural District Council (EARDC), 1974. Ashford’s first borough mayor, Peter Boulden, is seen here in the background with his new borough mayoral chain, with the former members of the council

Ashford Urban District Council, 1974. The former council in the months before Ashford became a borough. The outgoing chairman of the council, Cllr Weatherall, can be seen here with many familiar faces from the past. Sadly many of those pictured are no...