Carnival included a baby competition

Over the decades, much pomp and ceremony has accompanied the town’s carnival processions and events. Our predecessors created a style and theme to entertain residents and there is huge respect for those worked tirelessly to put the town of Ashford on the map by creating that special carnival fever each year.

In recent years, the town was fortunate enough to have respected couple Brenda and Terry Dickenson at the carnival helm and their legendary efforts in particular will go down in history. But decades earlier, things were a little different. Three years ago, Soundcraft Hi-fi proprietor Geoff Mathews uncovered an album of photographs taken by his late father Victor when the company was known as Photocraft.

The fantastic pictures illustrate the Grand Illuminated Carnival which was held on October 13, 1949 at 7pm, starring the carnival queen Miss Phyllis Coleman. Part of the event was a baby competition that was held at the Corn Exchange at the top of Elwick Road and foot of Bank Street.

The float procession was judged by the late and much respected H.R. Pratt-Boorman whose family still own the Kent Messenger Group.

The carnival marshal was respected businessman Mr J. Hanson; better known locally as Sonny Hanson who once owned a popular fish and chip restaurant in New Street.

This week’s Remember When takes a look back at the carnival, which will bring back fond memories for those who were there.

Many thanks to Geoff Mathews at Soundcraft Hi-fi for his help with this article.

Please get in contact if you recognise yourself or any family members.

Do you have any photographs or slides that you would be willing to lend 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 or email me at rememberwhen_kmash@ hotmail.co.uk or follow me on Twitter @SteveKMAshford. Or you can also leave a telephone message for me with brief details by calling 01233 623232.