Archive photos capture popular pub

Over the last few weeks and since the return of Remember When, we have taken many trips down memory lane by looking back at some of the town of Ashford’s long-lost public houses.

With pubs and restaurants only just being able to open after the ongoing coronavirus pandemic situation, the licensed trade is certainly the topic of the moment with businesses trying to conjure up custom to sustain livelihoods following a prolonged period of closure.

It’s too early to anticipate any such recovery in the licensed trade with public confidence still at an alltime low – despite the many best efforts of the licensees, managers and owners of these venues to make the safest environment for customers.

There are still, however, incidences of stupidity from a minority of people who visit such venues and put both themselves and others at risk by getting themselves drunk and not having the ability to adequately distance, as seen in the national media.

Back to the existence of our local pubs and, while the town has seen the largest amounts of licensed premises disappear over the decades, the suburbs have seen a number of favoured watering holes disappear, albeit a smaller quantity.

The country pub, nevertheless, has largely ridden out the storm and few have closed or disappeared in thelast30yearsorso.

Many of these rural pubs are often supported by the local village or on a main route and some are an attraction to passing trade for having outside space and parking.

Others are known for the presence of a restaurant unlike some of the town centre premises.

Equally, many of us prefer the country pub circuit and have our favourite locations that we regularly visit.

You’re away from the hustle bustle of the town centre and things like live football and the weekend pub crawlers.

Not that football and pub crawling is a bad thing.

This week, Remember

When takes a look back at a recently discovered trio of images taken by onetime photographers Studio Photocraft.

Many thanks to David Worsley for his kind assistance in securing the archive for me to find such rare and interesting gems.

The trio of pictures illustrate one-time suburban regular

The Colt in Kennington in some rare images taken when the pub was new in 1968.

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?

Email: rememberwhen_ kmash@hotmail.co.uk

The Watney’s-owned Colt public house in Faversham Road, Kennington, shortly after it opened for business. The timber-constructed building built by W.H. Colt & Son of Bethersden was named after the style of building it is - a Colt House. It was built on the former site of Kennington fencer Adams and the land is now home to a Co-op store

An extremely rare picture illustrating the Colt (centre) and neighbouring Kennedy’s Garage owned by kind gentleman Don Kennedy. It’s interesting to note the garage selling Esso fuel. In latter years the garage turned over to National Fuel - and was a location for young collectors of Smurfs, too