Unusual look at town in the 19th century

Over the years, I have inherited and acquired many gems in the way of photographs of the town as it used to be.

Last year I was given four substantial albums of photographs, which I would eventually like to put into a book.

The rare pictures were taken in the 1800s by, I believe, a photographer called Herbert Crosoer.

The albums were given to my good friend, the late Richard Filmer, almost 40 years ago by Mr Crosoer’s ancestors. They came from Richard with limited information, on the understanding that I would look after them and enjoy them upon his death.

Richard sadly lost his battle with cancer in May 2017. Sadly, although it was Richard’s intention to provide as much information as he could, his faltering health would not allow.

I am hugely indebted to him for his kindness over the years, and in this case giving over these pictures.

These excellent albums contain scores of Ashford views, taken to the highest quality but also feature views across Kent.

It is my intention to digitise each image in their original format to preserve the splendid images for future generations, something I started at the beginning of the year.

This week, Remember When features three of these excellent images which were taken between 1834 and 1894.

Have you any photographs or slides that you would be willing to loan to me, to enable them to be scanned for possible feature in the Kentish Express? Please get in touch.

Write to me: Steve Salter, Kentish Express Remember When, Unit 4, Park Mall Shopping Centre, Ashford, Kent. TN24 8RY.

E-mail me: rememberwhen_kmash@hotmail.co.uk

Follow me on Twitter @SteveKMAshford.

Or you can also leave a telephone message for me with brief details by calling 01233 623232.

The Old Cemetery in Canterbury Road, Ashford, as it looked in 1864

Barrow Hill’s junction with Maidstone Road and Western Avenue in 1894, showing the former National School on the left