Ashford Museum

24/06/2026

Did you work at Ashford’s Odeon building? When it was a bingo hall or a cinema?
We need your help!
What was your working day like? What did you do? Do you remember your first day? Your best, funniest or even your worst day there? Was there a uniform?
Your memories and photos could help others, now and in the future, understand the place that Ashford’s Odeon building, through all its incarnations, held in people’s lives.
Meet the team at on of the drop-in sessions taking place at Ashford Gateway Centre, Church Road, Ashford, TN23 1AS between 9.30 and 2.30 on:
Saturday 4th July
Saturday 22nd August
Come along and play your part in telling Ashford’s story

Image: for illustration purposes. copyright Ann Austin

17/06/2026

Share Your Memories of Ashford’s Odeon Cinema & Mecca Bingo
Built in 1936, Ashford’s Odeon is one of the town’s most recognisable landmarks a place where generations have come together to watch films, dance, play bingo, and enjoy special events.

As plans to develop the building move forward, we’re working with Ashford Borough Council to capture and preserve the memories that make it so special. These stories will be preserved in our Ashford People’s Library collection.
Share your memories, photos and stories at one of their drop-in sessions, taking place at Ashford Gateway Plus, Church Road, Ashford, on:
Saturday 4 July 2026 | 9:30am – 2:30pm
Saturday 22 August 2026 | 9:30am – 2:30pm

There’s no need to book, just come along and help celebrate the life of this much-loved building and ensure its stories continue to inspire future generations.
P.S You’re also welcome to bring photographs, tickets or memorabilia to share.

13/06/2026

Yesterday evening an interview with Ashford Museum Curator, John Worger, about Ashford's tank and others presented to towns for their contribution to the WWI savings was aired on BBC Kent.
John explains that many of the tanks were not removed to meet the need for steel for the WWII as many think was the case, but were removed much earlier, because towns didn't want the reminder of WWI:

The story of Ashford's Tank 245.

24/05/2026

Thanks to Tonbridge Model Engineering Society, we have acquired this fascinating map of the South Eastern Railway route from Ashford (just east of Chart Leacon bridge) to Westenhanger (Saltwood Tunnel). It's not dated but we think its based on the OS 25" 1872 survey (we'll check this) and the Maidstone to Ashford Railway is not shown. Mileposts are marked from 66 to 75 (which is probably measured on the original SER route from London Bridge via Redhill).
The map is marked with the names of the owners of land adjacent to the railway. Due to it's length, c. 6 m, we can't display the map or, due to its condition, make it available for viewing in the Museum, but hope to make it available digitally.

19/05/2026

The model threshing machine is now on display in the Wilks Hall.

The threshing machine was built by apprentices at Stanhay in 1949-50 and was displayed at the Kent County Show in 1950. It returned to the Show in 2024 when we displayed it on the Wheels of Time stand.

You can read about the threshing machine on the Museum website

The model threshing machine was built by apprentices of Stanhay (Ashford) Ltd.

12/05/2026

Today the exhibition marking the centenary of the General Strike opens at the Museum. Developed by Ashford Borough in partnership with Ashford Museum, NUR, ASLEF, TSSA and GMB,
this exhibition explores Britain’s only national general strike, from its roots in the coal crisis to its impact on everyday life. Over nine days in May 1926, millions of workers withdrew their labour in support of locked out miners.
Using national context and the local experience of Ashford, the panels show how the strike was organised, how communities responded, and why it remains a powerful moment in working class and trade union history

11/05/2026

We have dismantled the Percival Edward Norman Exhibition today but it will be returning in July, in the meantime you can read about Percival and other prominent Ashfordians on Ashford's Heritage https://heritage.ashfordmuseum.org.uk/ashford-people/

05/05/2026

Sunday's launch of the exhibition marking the Centenary of the 1926 General Strike at The Ashford Cinema.
Opened by Her Worship the Mayor; Ken Loach introducing the episode of his series relating the background to the General Strike and its end; Simon Renton, historian and past president of the University and College Union; Barbara Plant, President of the GMB.
This exhibition explores Britain’s only national general strike, from its roots in the coal crisis to its impact on everyday life. Over nine days in May 1926, millions of workers withdrew their labour in support of locked out miners.
Using national context and the local experience of Ashford, the panels show how the strike was organised, how communities responded, and why it remains a powerful moment in working class and trade union history.This exhibition explores Britain’s only national general strike, from its roots in the coal crisis to its impact on everyday life.
The exhibition is displayed at the Cinema until Thursday 7th May and will be shown at Ashford Museum from Tuesday 11th May.

08/04/2026

We were delighted to welcome Elizabeth and Ginny, daughters of Percival Edward Norman to launch the display about the forgotten brother of Charles and Fred Norman (the founders of Norman Cycles).

Percival served in the RAF during the war, exhibited at the Royal Academy, 1941-45, and after war taught at Royal Tunbridge Wells & Maidstone School of Art, a silversmith, sculptor, potter, stain glass designer, painter, violin maker and famous aero-modeller.

Photo: Elizabeth and Ginny with Museum Curator, John Worger

28/03/2026

Ashford’s role in Trade Union History

Nine days that stopped Britain

This exhibition explores Britain’s only national general strike, from its roots in the coal crisis to its impact on everyday life. Over nine days in May 1926,millions of workers withdrew their labour in support of locked out miners. Using national context and the local experience of Ashford, the exhibition shows how the strike was organised, how communities responded, and why it remains a powerful moment in working class and trade union history.

The Ashford Cinema
Elwick Place
3 May – 8 May 2026

Ashford Museum
From 12th May 2026

Launch of Exhibition
Ashford Cinema
Sunday 3rd May 4:00pm – 7:30pm

Drinks, Canapes and Film £12.50

Speakers:
Barbara Plant, National President GMB
Simon Renton

Ken Loach inroducing his film ‘General Strike‘

Tickets from Ashford Cinema https://www.theashfordcinema.co.uk/movie/days-of-hope-general-strike

Organised by

Ashford Borough Council
in partnership with

ASLEF - The UK Train Drivers' Union
GMB Union
National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT)
TSSA - Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association
Trades Union Congress (TUC)
Ashford Museum