Council Talk

T-CAT’s achievements have become emblematic of the growing success of the town centre. More recently they cleaned the Friendship Stone in the lower High Street. This represents our 52-year bond with twin town Bad Munstereifel. At a time when we see terror attacks across Europe and the world, this friendship stone symbolises our connections with friends overseas during this deeply troubling time.

I also said in my last column that there are a small number of pessimists who will never be satisfied whatever we are achieving in Ashford.

Constructive criticism is one thing but ill-informed, somewhat dismissive comments are quite unnecessary. For example, it was suggested that the excellent farmers’ market was “a proliferation of women’s institute type displays”. This is unfair to the awardwinning traders who support the market and supply quality produce month after month.

One of these traders provides excellent fudge and has appeared on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen and others supply Fortnum and Mason. The traders tell us that while the market days are not necessarily their most profitable, they are keen to support us because they can actually see what is being achieved.

Our independent shops are extremely well thought of by the majority and are forming the backbone of Park Mall, which we bought and have rejuvenated by filling the empty shops. The recently opened Little Teapot is attracting praise and that is very pleasing to hear.

On the other side of the coin, this newspaper has been extremely fair in reporting the real achievements that are being made in Ashford. Indeed on August 4 and 11, Kentish Express led with very full and positive articles on the proposed International Model Railway Centre and the Brewery and Visitor Centre coming to Victoria Way. Let’s all be more positive and back Ashford.