Dawn of a new era in borough’s history

We might not wholeheartedly agree with everything that our local authorities do, but without them, how would our towns and villages up and down the county and country survive?

It was in April 1974 that Ashford Urban District Council and its rural neighbours became Ashford Borough Council. Generation after generation of Ashfordians gradually saw a change of direction in the way the town ran. A new dawn signalled the start of modern Ashford and opportunities for its officers and councillors to shape the town we have today.

From the early days of Ashford borough, the authority utilised the offices of the previous authority in Elwick Road, which had been built as houses.

The various departments were spread along each of the properties, and Trafalgar House at the bottom of Bank Street – originally built for Commercial Union – was utilised too.

It was not until December 8, 1983, that a new purposebuilt Civic Centre was opened alongside the council-run leisure facility of the Stour Centre in Tannery Lane.

The new buildings were opened by the Duchess of Kent and at the time were deemed the most modern in the county.

Both the Civic Centre and the Stour Centre are based on a stilted construction design and built on a flood plain alongside the River Stour.

This week’s trio of images depict the opening of the Civic Centre by the Duchess. Were you there in the early days of Ashford Borough Council? Please get in touch with your memories if you were.

Do you have any photographs or slides that you would be willing to lend me, to enable them to be scanned and featured in the Kentish Express? If so, please write to me: Steve Salter, Kentish Express Remember When, 34-36 North Street, Ashford TN24 8JR, email me at rememberwhen_kmash@ hotmail.co.uk or follow me on Twitter @SteveKMAshford

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

The plaque commemorating the opening of Ashford borough’s new Civic Centre is unveiled by the Duchess of Kent in the presence of the Mayor of Ashford, Cllr J.J. Winnifrith

The Duchess of Kent arrives in Tannery Laner in 1983 to open the new Civic Centre for Ashford Borough Council in the presence of the Sheriff of Kent and Chief Constable of Kent County Constabulary Frank Jordan.