Looking back at long-lost landmarks

With all the building and redevelopment happening around Ashford today, we tend to forget some of our long-lost landmarks that have somewhat faded into oblivion because so much has happened since their demise.

The town is ever changing, and despite a ‘lull’ in development a few years back, it’s full steam ahead as far as building is concerned.

Our only fear nowadays is that sooner or later we will have fewer shops in the town centre to complement this mass development programme.

It is awful the way the country has gone, especially where retail giants have disappeared one by one.

Our government has long been pre-occupied with what suits them, and to a degree seems oblivious to long-standing business after business failing around them.

There were many more buildings of character in this town in years past and it’s sad to think that these many and some beautiful buildings disappeared in the name of progress without a thought for what they meant for the town and their characterful contribution to the streetscape.

Many of these lovely old buildings have often been replaced with a series of nondescript alternatives, some replaced with no building at all.

It makes me angry when something like a car park replaces something which held much more in heritage value.

This week’s trio of pictures from the 1960s illustrate some of the once familiar buildings and sites around town that have long since disappeared.

The pictures come from the inherited and huge archive of respected historian and my friend, the late Richard Filmer, who would certainly have something to say about the town if he were still alive today.

■ Do you have any photographs or slides of old Ashford you would be willing to loan me to enable them to be scanned for possible feature in the Kentish Express?

Please don’t delay, feel free to get in touch.

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

Email me: rememberwhen_ kmash@hotmail.co.uk

Follow me on Twitter: @ SteveKMAshford.

Or you can also leave a telephone message for me by calling the Kentish Express on 01233 623232.