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.
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