Old hospital demolished in the 1970s

So much of old Ashford has disappeared over the years that we actually lose track of just how much has disappeared in the name of progress.

When pictorial evidence is readily available, that’s always confirmation that there was something there in a particular location that’s not there now.

You can imagine when pictures surface of a particular building, business, location or service around the town, it’s quite something. There’s not many places in around the town that I haven’t pictures of but when pictures turned up of one long-lost location of the town’s past, I was absolutely thrilled.

In all the years I have researched the history of the town, I have not been successful in locating images of the Warren Isolation Hospital (now largely under the M20 motorway) but I am sincerely indebted to respected retired motor trade stalwart John Olliver, who for many years worked for onetime car dealership Henlys, who were not only based in Ashford but other areas too, such as Folkestone.

John also photographed the town over the years and the old hospital was one of his subjects.

One way I’d like to reciprocate in showing my gratitude to John is to express his desire to get in touch with any former Henlys staff that have lost touch with him.

Please drop me an email at rememberwhen_kmash@hotmail.co.uk if you would like to get in touch with him.

This week’s trio of pictures illustrate the long lost Warren Isolation Hospital which is believed to have been demolished sometime in the 1970s.

Please get in touch if you have any further information or indeed photographs. Many thanks to John for his kind assistance. ■ 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? Please don’t delay, feel free to get in touch.

Write to me: Steve Salter, Kentish Express Remember When, Unit 4, Park Mall Shopping Centre, Ashford, Kent, TN24 8RY.

Email me: rememberwhen_ kmash@hotmail.co.uk or follow me on Twitter: @SteveKMAshford. You can also leave a telephone message for me with brief details by calling 01233 623232.

A heavily vandalised corridor at the derelict Warren Isolation Hospital

Some of the corrugated iron clad buildings at the one-time Warren Isolation Hospital