Ashford - Branch 18
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Ashford Branch - circa 1955
(Click on image to visit the Francis Frith website and see more photos of Ashford) |
Once upon a time - about 1931 to be exact - Job's had customers in Ashford but no branch, and the milkman used to have to push his barrow there from Sunbury.
The landmarks that stood at the start and finish of this long haul, Sunbury Clock and The Old Town Tree, have both vanished long since. Ashford branch was opened not long afterwards and old hands can remember when there was a circle of grass in the middle of the yard, and the push-prams used to be lined up around it.
There was no room for such ornamental features in latter years, and even though the branch was enlarged by a jigsaw of purchases over the years it still produced a private traffic jam when the arrival of the main fleet vehicle happened to coincide with the return of half-a-dozen floats and a bread delivery!
With thirty rounds, Ashford was one of the biggest town branches, although not quite as big as Hanworth or Hampton branches. It included the territory of half-a-dozen smaller branches, with rounds reaching out as far as Staines on one side. Stanwell Moor and parts of Lower Feltham on another, and touching hands with Sunbury branch on the borders of Ashford itself. This large and thickly populated area included a nucleus of posh houses, both ancient and modern, as well as private and council estates.
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Ashford branch staff - circa 1947
Back row: E. Turner, H. Hunt, J. Hubbard, F. Chaney, J. Hawkins, G. Purser, J.Glover, W. Hazell and R. Sabine.
Front row: H. Cox, T. Beddow, W. Knight (Manager), H. Bishop, W. Shipley. |
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Les Bushnell on his round in Sandringham Drive, Ashford |
This photograph was taken by one of Les's customers, E. Lamb and presented to Les at Christmas 1987 in appreciation of his service to the area. Many thanks to Les's son Steve for supplying this photo for use on the web site.
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Ashford branch - circa 1987 |
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Looking down into the yard from the entrance to Ashford branch |
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A Jobac returns from a round in 1987 |
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On the round in the streets of Ashford |
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