Photographs of Bank Street, Ashford, Kent

 

 

The first photograph shows W. R. Leeson's shop at 38 Bank Street, formally 28 George Street. Note the coat of arms above the door. Two lady's appear on the balcony, the one to the left is Ellen Matilda Leeson, wife of William Richard Leeson. The lady to the right is unknown. The photograph is believed to have been taken, c.1898.

The second photograph (colour) is again of W R Leeson's shop at 38 Bank Street. This photograph was taken c.1910 and also shows the Royal Arms stating Rifle Maker by Appointment to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.

The third photograph is taken from a slightly different angle and shows more clearly the junction between Bank Street and Godinton Road. Must assume somebody was moving house with the quantity of furniture piled onto of the carriage a little further up Bank Street.

The forth photograph was taken c.1950, some forty years later and looks down Godinton Road. As know Leeson had now been out of business for some 17 years or so and is now owned by Wright Brothers, some form of "Sports" shop. Its interesting to note that the veranda and railings where the Royal Arms stood above the shop in the c.1919 photograph has now disappeared.

Images five & six show 38 Bank Street, Ashford as it looks today in August 2009, much change but a few features still survive. many thanks to Chris Skinner for taking the time to take these images.

The final image is a simple modern street map from the Internet showing the location of Bank Street in Ashford.