Kentish Express Ashford & District
Five decades of service
Civic Centre flag at half mast in tribute to dedicated councillor
An councillor who has served Ashford borough for nearly 50 years has died.
Cllr Harold Apps, 89, from Charing, died in the early hours of Monday after a short illness.
His long career in local politics began in the 1960s, when he was a councillor on the Tenterden Rural District Council, before Ashford Borough Council (ABC) was formed.
He joined ABC when it began in 1973 and he served as a councillor until 2003, when he took a short break.
Mr Apps then stood as councillor again in 2011 and represented the Victoria ward (town centre) until his death.
He served as Mayor from 1979 to 1980 and over the years was chairman of the planning committee, environmental health and general purposes committee, appeals sub-committee, district plan sub-committee, environmental health and control committee and the lettings and appeals sub-committee.
He also represented the council on the Revelation St Mary’s Arts Trust, the Ashford Museum Committee and the Ashford Alm- Cllr Harold Apps was a councillor nearly 50 years houses and Parochial Charities. Cllr Gerry Clarkson, ABC leader paid tribute.
He said: “It was with great sadness that I learned of Harold’s death.
“He was a dear friend and colleague, and this was a shock to us all. He will be greatly missed.
“He was a very valued and loyal member of the Ashford Conserv- ative Group, as longstanding group secretary and whip and had only just recently been promoted to chief whip.
“He was also respected by all sides of the Chamber, serving on behalf of this borough for a great many years.
“We are all deeply shocked and saddened by this news and our thoughts go out to Harold’s fam- ily at this sad time.”
As a mark of respect the flag outside the Civic Centre in Tannery Lane, Ashford was flown at half mast as a tribute.
Do you have any memories of Harold Apps? If so please write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk Give your brain a workout or just have an enjoyable evening by taking part in the quiz being hosted by South Willesborough & Newtown (SWAN) WI at the SWAN Community Centre, Turner Close, Newtown on Saturday, May 6 from 7.30pm. Bring your own nibbles. Coffee, tea and homemade cakes will be available during the interval. The cost is £3 per player on a table of up to six players and there will be a prize for both the top team and the team with the lowest score. The raffle proceeds will go to the charity of the year, the Canterbury Oast Trust. To book a table contact Chris on 01233 646434.