Share your earliest memories of town

Over the years all of us will have had memorable times while living in Ashford or its surrounding villages. Many of us can remember the ‘little’ things, events for instance or changes that have happened. Every one of us has memories of the past. Sometimes the memory can be our earliest and if anyone asked my earliest memories of my home town Ashford, firstly it would be the 1970s and secondly they sure would make interesting reading.

I’m not afraid or embarrassed to share my earliest memories of the town, but before I do, I would love to hear yours, our readers.

It may be a particular street you lived in or a shop that no longer exists. It could be an event such as a past carnival or a disaster such as a fire or similar, I’d love to hear from you. For example, every time I publish pictures of certain areas in the town – particularly town centre residential areas, locals venture out of the woodwork with their fascinating memories. It’s always heartening for me to know that I’ve created such a talking point among residents. Ashfordians, including myself, do love our memories and are very protective of our town’s heritage. We sometimes wish the latter was focussed on more thoroughly by those at the top, sometimes referred to as the “yes/no men” in many of the letters and emails that I receive.

Sadly in recent years, a large percentage of us feel the subject of our town’s heritage hasn’t been considered important enough to be celebrated and strengthened.

This week Remember When continues its look back at various parts of the town in a ‘mixed bag’ of photographs which all depict the town over the years and may not have seen the light of day since they were taken.

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.

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

The Ashford Bypass at Willesborough in June 1957, and a splendid view showing the original road shortly before it was opened to traffic. In the frame are the landmark Willesborough Windmill and School at Silver Hill and the Foxglove Estate is under...

New Rents at its junction with Hempsted Street in September 1962, and a rare view showing the top of Hempsted Street where it once met New Rents with Frank Palmer the gent’s outfitter (centre) and Nicholas Kingsman the baker on the extreme right. Many...