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 11 - 20 of 32 in total

This is the first time that I have seen what the old hospital looked like since leaving in 1969. I loved my days working at the hospital as a young nurse. The nurses home was to the right of this picture and some of the matrons offices were to the right. Happy days and happy memories.
I remember when I was nursing at Ashford, Hothfield and Willesborough hospitals. We use to have to go to the Warren for some lessons. I can still remember my shock at seeing rows of `Iron Lungs` that were no longer in use. Also seeing the mortuary which was so tiny and had just wooden slates for the bodies. The house was beautiful and I remember how grand it all seemed way back then.
Does anyone remember the lorry that used to tour Ashford in December, that was decorated as Santa's sleigh? Santa used to sit on it and they used to collect money for charity - any pictures?
Does anyone remember the toffee apple man? He used to push a bike around with a tray on the front, crammed with toffee apples, always rang a hand bell so you knew he was on his way.
I was born in Dover, but my mum was Welsh and we moved back to her home town when I was small. However, every year we would visit my dad's relatives in Kent (mainly Ashford). My Auntie Nell ran a flower shop here and I remember the smell of flowers and pickles. I loved my visits there. Ashford was beautiful to me and I loved the market there. I have since discovered that they were my grand aunts and uncles - it ...see more
My mum and granma lived here during the war, when the Tannery was in operation. I have some lovely stories of the Whist that my mum told me.
This photo was taken from Western Avenue when it was a through road from Godington Road. Western Avenue was turned into a Cul-de-Sac when National Schools were replaced by new buildings in the 1990s and the road closed to through traffic.
When this building was sold and demolished by Ashford School, the site was turned into a Tennis court with a igh steel net fence placed along East Hill to prevent balls landing in the road or hitting pedestrians. It was only when this was not found to be effective ( could it be the girls tried on purpose to hit their balls over the the higher net ?) was it then turned into a car park.
RE Photo 60335 - Sorry, but this photo is of the building that replaced the original Hospital built (circa 1890) in Station Road (formerly Marsh Street) a few doors from the Baptist Church and next to the town's Gas Works. The new Hospital was built as it was considered that the smell of gas was not conducive to the health of the patients! The building in Warren Lane was the Isolation Hospital and it ...see more
I can remember this when it was down Warren Lane.