Plan for town’s own beacon

Plans for a new gas-powered beacon to mark special events in the town have been unveiled.

Ashford Borough Council has submitted proposals to itself for a beacon in the park alongside the Civic Centre, off Tannery Lane.

It has been proposed by council members as a commemorative landmark for events such as the centenary of the end of the First World War and royal birthdays.

North Park is the preferred site because of its easy public access, with tarmac footpaths running past the proposed beacon site, with gas being used to overcome the risk of embers damaging wildlife and make it safer to operate.

It has been designed depicting materials to reflect Ashford’s railway heritage.

The body and column of the structure would borrow from the boiler and smoke stack of early locomotives, and the fire baskets would be formed using a combination of replica train wheels.

Other landmarks in the town which represent this railway theme include the town centre bandstand and fountain in the High Street.

An Ashford council spokesman said: “The idea of a permanent civic beacon has been suggested, as Ashford, unlike many of the villages in the borough, does not have a beacon.

“This could be lit on occasions of national and historical significance in future years and will support the council’s emerging heritage strategy.

“The banners below the fire basket will be interchangeable but generally will display the borough and town crests of Ashford and Tenterden respectively. The borough council’s motto, ‘with stronger faith’, will be incorporated in the design.

“A gas beacon has been chosen as it overcomes the risk of embers damaging the surrounding trees and grass and operationally is seen as a much safer operation.”

No indication of the cost of the beacon has been revealed

Consultation on the application will end on Saturday, April 8.

For more information, visit planning.ashford.gov.uk

What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk

Library image Ashford could get its own beacon