Nostalgic memories of Ashford's local history

Share your own memories of Ashford and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

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Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 32 in total

One of my earliest recollections is sitting on a bar stool in the Lord Roberts pub in Ashford, Kent in 1956/1957. Together with her husband (George), my grandmother (Gertrude Volans) ran the pub, which accounts for why at such a young age I was ‘parked’ at the bar. 60+ years later, I still remember the smell of beer. It didn’t put me off; I am a discerning beer drinker, now living in Canada where craft beers are ...see more
I remember Rabsons Toy Shop, those old shops all along that street I think middle row the street was called, also we were told that a ghost was often seen above the Toy shop, not sure if that was true, I was to scared to walk past those shops at night.
BACK IN THE 40s/50s MY DAD HAD A PLOT THE OTHER END OF THE UNDERWERE FACTORY THAT WAS AT THE END OF TUFTON RD HE HAD PIGS THERE IT WAS ALONG SIDE THE RIVER SO GOOD FOR GETTING WATER FOR THEM I USE TO HELP HIM HE HAD AN OLD HORSE NAMED DIAMOND THAT WOULD GET THE WASTE FOOD FROM THE HIGH SCHOOLS IN EAST HILL TO FEED THE PIGS.SOMETIMES CUTLERY AND CROCKERY WAS IN THE WASTE AND I STILL HAVE A SPOON THAT I ...see more
I LIVED IN TUFTON RD FROM 1938 TO 1964 GOOING BACK TO THE 50sTHE RIVER OVER FLOD D RIGHT TO MY BACK GARDEN now i lived at 37 that was the last house in the road THE RIVER WAS ABOUT 2 TO 3 100 YARDS FROM MY GARDEN IT ONLY HAPPYED THE ONE TIME IS THERE ANY ONE THAT CAN WHOT YEAR IT WAS IF THEY LIVED IN TUFTON RD PLEASE LET ME KNOW
HI ITS TONY GATES I REMMBER SOME OF THE PUBS THAT ONCE WHERE THERE MABY THAY STILL ARE COACH AND HORSES ELEPHANT AND CASTLE SOMERSET ARMS WELLINGTON THE SARACENS HEAD THE SARACENS SHADS THE ALFRED ARMS MAN OF KENT THE DUKE OF MORLBOROGH THE BRITISH VOLUNTEER DUKE OF YORK THE CASTLE MARKET HOTEL LORD ROBORTS THE PARK HOTEL DOWN EAST HILL THE STAR THE QUEENS HEAD MY DAD SAID THERE ARE 30 ...see more
my parents moved to an empty flat above the coral coal shop in bank street.my Father worked for corals coal as a delivery driver.The flat was an extra bonus i was born in Dover 1954 and when we left there we moved to a place called Bridge i cant remember anything about it but i do remember the flat in Bank Street Ashford. There was no bathroom the only toilet was at the bottom of the yard.God help you if ...see more
I can remember being taken to Ashford on Christmas Eve and visiting Rabsons toy shop in Middle Row It was a magical place for a small child and I gazed at all the toys in wonder. I can remember anxiously asking my mother whether we would be home in Pluckley before Father Christmas came!
I have really good memories of going to Stanhope Primary School along Kingsnorth Road, Ashford. Are there any old photos of the school? I know it has been pulled down.. such a beautiful old building.
I remember the old tank; there used to be a place at the back of it where we used to get a cup of coffee or coke and listen to the jukebox - that was in the early 60's. I also remember when the high street had two way traffic with double decker buses going to and fro.
Please can someone advise...Was 'Ashford County School for Girls' the girls grammar school? There was also the High School wasn't there? Many thanks!