These pubs are gone but not forgotten

I would like to begin this week by saying a huge thank you to all followers and readers of Remember When who have either written to me, e-mailed me and even stopped me in the street to air your excitement and delight in seeing the colour pictures depicting the town in the late 1960s and early 1970s that we have begun featuring recently. The rare content of many of the pictures which have been scanned from 35mm slides has been instantly appreciated. For instance one of my regular donors of photographs came over to me in a cafe the other day telling me how much he liked the pictures of Hempsted Street and the Wellington Hotel which I featured a couple of weeks ago. Thank you Roger Lindfield for your kind comments and material, it’s always so much appreciated.

With many memories of old Ashford seemingly fading into oblivion this recent haul of slides have attracted appreciative feedback.

As I have said in previous weeks, all due credit and thanks go to Edwin Bartlett of Ashford. There must be many more people within the town and its suburbs who like Mr Bartlett took 35mm slides depicting Ashford either before the changes, during the changes or after the changes.

I am always seeking slides and other formats such as photographs. Slides are more often than not in colour and often colour imagery has a tremendous appeal.

Even if you think you have some slides showing the town of bygone days, but you have only a few – please still get in touch.

I would like to feature such material in future Remember When pages or even a new book. Also, please get in touch if you recall friends or neighbours photographing the town in previous times and whether they may be able to help.

This week, Remember When features another trio of gems from the very early 1970s.

Do you have any photographs or slides that you would be willing to lend me, to be scanned and featured in the Express? Write to me, Steve Salter, Kentish Express Remember When, 34-36 North Street, Ashford TN24 8JR, email me at rememberwhen_ kmash@hotmail.co.uk or follow me on Twitter @ SteveKMAshford. You can also leave a phone message for me with brief details by calling 01233 623232.