Arsonists destroyed once-proud landmark

Ashford and its neighbouring areas still have a rich selection of historic and well-known landmarks, which are often the subject of conversation and something that we all see on a regular basis.

But when they are not there any more – either due to redevelopment or destruction by other means – the scars left behind are sometimes terribly obvious.

One occasional form of destruction is fire, which can be so violent and fierce that trying to save such landmarks is often in vain.

Sometimes, buildings badly damaged in this way are partially sacrificed and are occasionally rebuilt, but when this happens, certain elements in the fabric of that particular building are lost for ever and cannot be recreated.

One such landmark was the 1890 Victoria Flour Mills owned by H.S.Pledge in Victoria Road.

The once familiar mill stood proudly for 94 years until it was targeted by an arsonist whose actions destroyed the landmark beyond any chance of salvation.

Recent research reveals that previous opportunist fires had failed to ignite at the site, but persistence eventually sealed the mill’s fate.

It was one of the biggest fires in the town’s history – and still is almost 31 years later.

The mill was never replaced and the fact that the site has never been utilised since its demise, is a constant reminder of the sad event.

This week, Remember When takes a look back at the interior of the mill in 1978 and its subsequent demolition in late September 1984.

Do you have any photographs or slides that you would be willing to loan 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.

You can also email me at rememberwhen_kmash@ hotmail.co.uk or follow me on Twitter @SteveKMAshford.

You can also leave a phone message for me with brief details by calling 01233 623232.

An extremely rare and atmospheric 1978 view showing the interior of the mill and a Pledge’s Flour sack loaded onto one of the filling machines.

This picture taken in September 1984 shows the burned out shell of the once handsome landmark that was built in 1890. The proximity of the mill to the railway line made things difficult for firemen trying to extinguish the flames