Our town’s oldest tavern

Although many of Kent’s earliest pubs have sadly been lost over the centuries, it’s great to be able to toast the success of The George Hotel, which survives to this day.

The Grade II-listed inn at 68 high street dates back to the 16th century and is mentioned in the will of John Burwashe in 1533, according to Ashford historian Steve Salter.

For many years, the pub was owned by Courage and then became a free house for a time afterwards.

Mr Salter adds: “Many will remember well-known licensee Gerry Allibone who between him and his family ran the George Hotel, The Swan and the County Hotel back in the 1980s.”

In 1986 evidence was found confirming a traditional story that in ancient time, a bridle path ran alongside The George which then ran under the former Assembly Rooms in Kings Parade and a seed merchants premises named Worgers, then on to South Ashford.

The discovery and confirmation was made following the demolition of the former Boots next door at 70-72 High Street.

Before reopening on Saturday, staff had been counting down the days on Facebook.

Over the last few weeks, Remember When has continued its nostalgic trip down memory lane by looking back at some of Ashford’s long-lost locals.

Memories have been brought flooding back and many readers have emailed me to say how delighted they are to see some of their former haunts.

There are many well-known ex-pubs in and around the town centre, but readers will be equally interested to learn of some of the town’s not-soobvious locations that have ceased to be licensed premises.

Sadly few pictures exist of the town’s obscure watering holes in their pub liveries, but there are some that do survive.

Readers will be genuinely shocked to learn of some of these not-so-obvious locations and will be intrigued to investigate and research further.

If you do come across any pictures of some of these former pubs, please do get in touch.

This week, Remember When looks back at a duo of pictures illustrating one such long-lost pub, The Greyhound at 74 New Street.

Many thanks to the late Richard Filmer for this week’s older picture.

Upon inheriting Mr Filmer’s huge archive in 2017, I was astounded to find many pictures illustrating many more lost pubs than readers would ever imagine.

Thanks also to the late David Easton and the Easton family and to David’s faithful colleague Kerry Legg for the information provided.

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, get in touch!

Please email me: rememberwhen_kmash@hotmail.co.uk

The George Hotel – pictured here in 2008 – survives to this day in its prominent high street spot

Landlord Tom Dixon with barmaids Corinna Anderson, left, and Tracey Powell in April 2008

The Grade II-listed inn is at 68 high street

Picture: Steve Salter The George in Ashford town centre in 1965

The Greyhound Inn, owned by the Nalder and Collyers brewery, at 74 New Street. The lost local, which closed in the early 1940s, became the home of Padgham the cabinet maker for many years and then premises for Passmore builder before becoming David Easton’s in 1972. At the time of Padgham’s occupancy, the plaster greyhound above the signage still existed from the building’s time as a pub

The late David Easton, right, with his faithful colleague Kerry Legg outside Mr Easton’s premises at 74 New Street upon his retirement in 2018. Long-time employee Mr Legg had worked for Mr Easton since 1975