Village festivities recreated in old exchange

As an historian, it’s always fantastic to delve into the largely unknown when researching Ashford’s history, and even better when you uncover some rare and obscure imagery of the town.

I have been doing this for a long time – 32 years to be exact, but I still get very excited when pictures turn up showing the town like we have never seen it before.

There are still scores of pictures that I have had the pleasure of being able to copy, and there are also boxes and boxes of photographs that I have yet to scan and digitise for use in Remember When, but when health allows I will achieve my goal.

I have worked hard over the years to preserve the historical imagery of Ashford, not only for myself but for the town and for those with a passion for the town’s rich history.

The Remember When column allows me to display a small percentage of the pictures, which is why I also compile books, so I can bring my archive to a wider audience.

I would eventually like to have my own secure website rather than use social media sites to display the crown jewels of Ashford’s pictorial history. It’s a bit annoying when you find your pictures for sale as prints at a market stall in Folkestone, many that you have originally paid for out of your own pocket or taken yourself.

In the past week, a fellow historian passed me a pile of rarities pertaining to Ashford’s past. The pictures dated circa 1911 depict a minivillage fair within the Corn Exchange which opened in December 1861.

The different stalls include a ‘Humorous Art Exhibition’, ‘Competition Corner’ and a clothing stall called ‘The Nimble Needle’, which was reputed to have been set up by members of the Baptist Church in Station Road.

The Corn Exchange was a multi-use venue with a stage, and was much used locally for events such as corn dealing, trade exhibitions, concerts and even a Southern Television programme called ‘Probe’ in 1960.

Humorously, it was referred to recently in a local publication as a public house. I’m sure the people of Ashford who had the pleasure of using the venue would be ready to correct that assumption.

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 Corn Exchange, Elwick Road circa 1911, and a splendid view showing the mini village fair set up within the much-missed venue

Another view of the same building in the same year, this time showing members of the local church in the venue with a Humorous Art Exhibition Stall, yet there is no artwork in sight!