Kentish Express Ashford & District
Tributes paid to man ‘never afraid to speak his mind’
Campaigner with a passion for town’s history
Tributes have been paid to a wellknown campaigner who was passionate about the history of Ashford.
Roger Airey of Victoria Road was known for his dedicated campaign for a railway museum and being a founding member of the Ashford Civic Society.
Hailing from Shoreham, Mr Airey, who was in his 70s, published two books of poetry - entitled The Sex War and Luv Man Ship - in the early 1970s.
Kentish Express correspondent and town historian Steve Salter said: “Roger was never afraid to speak his mind.
“He was passionate about the history of the town and its old buildings, and never held back when speaking out against the authorities if he believed he was right.
“I admired his courage when speaking out - Roger would quite often take his views to another level and many times he was justified in his thoughts about the way Ashford was changing.
“He was instrumental in the campaign to create a living railway museum, with full-sized locomotives to be enjoyed by all, but sadly it wasn’t to be.”
Mr Airey was a familiar face at the library in Church Road and around the town centre, and had a vast knowledge of the borough.
He petitioned a war poet’s son to use some lines on a plaque to be placed alongside the town’s tank, however his idea never came off.
Cllr Graham Galpin (Con), who frequently received correspondence from the poet, said: “I was very sad to hear of his passing.
“He kept me informed of his points of view, his thoughts on the town, how it was doing and our actions through some inter- esting and original letters.
“I had noticed that I hadn’t received anything from him for a while and I was concerned about his welfare and I was deeply saddened.”
Tributes have been paid on social media to Mr Airey.
One Facebook post read: “He was always passionate about Ashford and all aspects of its history. I believe Roger saved mementos of buildings and other historical items when they were demolished, his house will be a treasure trove if folks realise what is within. A real character who will be missed.”