Missed last orders

I have lived in Charing since 1965.

One day I took the bus to Ashford to see how some of my old haunts had fared and perhaps have a pint of ale.

On arriving in Ashford I noticed The Prince Albert was derelict, The British Volunteer had been turned into flats and as I walked down New Rents I saw The Castle was now the Halifax. On to the High Street and Boots has replaced, after demolition, The Saracens Head, a once medieval gem. Through the churchyard to Tufton Street, I found The Swan boarded up and for sale.

The Market Inn in Bank Street was gone. So I got back on the bus to Charing only to note The Royal Oak, The Queen’s Head and King’s Head also all gone and the only remaining public house/hotel now also closed.

So the only thing to do was return to my fireside and a nice cup of tea. John McIntyre Charing

The Saracens Head in Ashford High Street, 1964