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History of Ash and Ridley from Earliest Records to 1957
                    
Compiled by Dorothy G. Meager on behalf of Ash and Ridley Women's Institute           Page 64

Shops, Trades & Crafts continued

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

  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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