Aerial photos of town from the 1920s

As well as frequently being photographed from the ground, Ashford has also regularly been photographed from the air over the years. The resulting photography often gives a rare insight into how the townscape and its surroundings look in a way seen by few. Many photographers of the past such as the late Ian Gambrill of Countrywide, Skyfotos (later Fotofilte) and others, have been brave enough to venture into the air by helicopter to capture unique photography of the area.

I overcame my fear of flying many years ago, after an extreme absence of going abroad by such means, but I am unsure as to whether I would have the bravery of Ian Gambrill.

I remember him telling me that he went to the top of the tower crane used for construction of the Tufton Shopping Centre (latterly County Square) in the early 1970s. Not quite as extreme as a helicopter, but still quite a huge undertaking. Aerial photography was extensively used by the enemy during the war years to ascertain prime targets. In Ashford’s case, it is assumed that the one-time railway works was identified by such means, and as a result it took a direct hit which tragically resulted in heavy loss of life.

Today aerial photography is increasingly used for development purposes like never before. Often 3D impressions of the way a new building will look upon completion can be created from this medium.

This week’s Remember When takes a look at some examples of aerial photography of Ashford during the 1920s which show a number of familiar sites around the town.

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.

Another image from the same year showing Ashford railway station, a mainstay of the town’s infrastructure then and that still is today, especially now because of international travel to France and Belgium. The detail in this view is phenomenal and...

An aerial view of Ashford in 1929 showing s some familiar features such as St Mary’s Church, centre, and the former Congregational Church at the corner of Church Road and Tufton Street, bottom. The town then was largely under-developed and untouched in...