The town I knew has disappeared

Ashford has undergone many changes to its appearance and infrastructure over the decades.

Sadly, much of the rich history the town was known for has been lost through careless decision making, and economical change in the locality.

Many factors have decided what has happened to the familiarities of the old town and it is increasingly inevitable that sometimes controversial decisions dictate what stays and goes when plans come to the meeting table.

The more I see of the new Ashford, it really does sadden me that modernity - though essential in some respects - has dissolved much of the character the town was remembered for.

I have grave concerns over plans for the town because our councils are seemingly allowing important aspects of the town to go down the pan.

The streets and landmarks of the town centre are today a little rough around the edges, and its overall appearance is somewhat shabby compared to, say, prepandemic times.

Though the purse strings are a due consideration in current times, simple undertakings to stop the town looking so desolate, so uninviting and so shabby don’t appear to be on the borough or county council’s agenda.

In my younger days as a historian, there were protocols in place that protected the appearance of the town centre and rules and regulations surrounding upkeep of buildings’ signage and treatment of conservation areas and sites within them.

These protocols in 2024 do really seem to have fallen by the wayside, and I do wonder what is going on that determines the minds of those in charge of the town centre, because to be honest, the Ashford I knew has disappeared.

This week’s Remember When hails back to 1963 and looks back at a trio of images illustrating some of the lost familiarities of North Street where business and individuality is concerned.

Do you have any pictures or memories of the town of Ashford you would like to share with me? Please email rememberwhen_kmash@hotmail.co.uk

1963 - A splendid picture depicting the individuality the town had in the way of business in bygone years. Here we can see C.Baker wholesale confectioner in North Street, together with C.E. Parish groceries and provisions and R&I Dancey, the 'invisible tailor'

1963 - Further along on the same side of the street was once the premises of W.H. Gibbs furnisher, The Lord Roberts public house and Dennes the seed merchants - all long gone

1963 - Businesses such as Fendalls wine merchants, Jenner's builders and Harrison Clague architect existed on the opposite side of the road