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Ash Post Office
has had many moves, the first record available is when Mr George
Elcombe, (also schoolmaster, sexton and Parish Clerk) ran it from
No 3 Vineyard Row. He was followed by Mrs Joyce who ran it from No
1 Vineyard Row and later No 6 The Street. Mr Frank Fletcher
followed, and also ran it from No 6 The Street (Mrs Joyce was his
mother-in-law). The late Mrs Jenner of Johnson’s Farm took over
for a short time during the First World War and conducted it at
what is now "Marazion" Then came Mrs Whiffen on the same
premises for the next 34 years, and on her retirement the Post
Office was transferred to Mrs Barlow’s shop.
About 70 years
ago Flint Bungalow was a sweet shop run by a Mr Watts.
Hodsoll Street
also has a combined General Shop and Post Office. For many years
before becoming a general shop this was a bakers which, towards
the end of the 19th century was kept by Mr Valentine Wellard, one
of the first Parish Councillors. Mr Burgess continued to run the
bakers business for a time after acquiring the shop, but
eventually gave up baking for the General Shop and Post Office
work. It is now owned by Mr & Mrs L.D. Counties.
General Stores at Hodsoll Street
Under
the date 1847 we learn that John Atkins had a shop at West Yoke
and that Thomas Bennett and John Haines. had a shop at Hodsoll
Street. It is presumed that these are the same as those operating
today. Also under the date 1847 we have the following
information as regards trades and crafts carried out in the parish
at this time.
1. James Buggs was a Tailor
living at "Threeways",
Wallace Terrace |
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2.
Edward Porter carpenter & wheelwright living at
Johnsons Farm
3. Thomas Sharpe bricklayer living at the
"White
House"
4. Richard Wakeman kept the White Swan
5. Thomas Bishop was a blacksmith at Hodsoll
Street in
what is now part of "Greenfields"
garden.
6. George Wadlow was also a blacksmith and lived
at Ash Forge
7. John Crowhurst was a boot & shoemaker at
Hodsoll Street
8. John Wakeman was also boot & shoemaker living
at West
Yoke
9. William Dean a wheelwright also living at
West Yoke
10. Farmers :-
Henry Andrus – North Ash
Palo? Ashenden – Berry’s Maple
Edward Coomber – Hodsoll Street
James Crowhurst – Culvenden Green
William Crowhurst – Hodsoll
Street
Mr Durling – Hodsoll Street
Thomas Gladdish – "Pettings"
Hodsoll Street
Simon Hood – West Yoke
George Munyeard – "Terrys"
Lodge
Robert Clive & Richard Rogers
– North Ash
John Swaisland – Idley
William Salmon – West Yoke
John Slaughter & John Sparks
– Ash Place
William Bishop – Malthouse
At the end of the 19th Century, Mr Gurnney Rumsey a
Nurseryman was living at Vigo Cottage on
the
Meopham Road.
It is recorded that in 1860 R. Ashenden, a Timberman
was killed near the entrance to Glebe
Meadow Ash
when a load of timber overturned.
Charcoal burning was carried on in Punch Croft beside
Claysmead Pond until 1920.
For a little more than 20 years Mr Stanley R. Brown has conducted
a Road Haulage business from "Malden" Ash Road,
now under the title of Brown’s Transport Limited. After the
1939-45 War "Malden Garage" was established in
the same premises and after a time the management of the garage
was passed over to the son G.R. Brown who is the present
proprietor. |