I frequently travel through Ash

Usually when returning from Canterbury

It is a large village typical of Kent

With a history kind and sometimes unpleasant

Today the village seems to be at peace with its history

But who am I to tell as I am a recent outsider

I have seen many photographs from its recent past

Henry Marsh and Punch with Susie May 1953

The Ash Football Eleven in White Post Meadow 1910

Hop-picking with convalescent soldiers helping out 1915

The Ash Ladies Hockey Club in 1935

All lanky girls one with owl glasses

Jolly Hockey Sticks spring to mind

The Home Guard advancing down a village street

Somewhere in Southeast England disguised as Front Line Ash

There are many other photographs too many to count

Each records a small moment in history slowly fading

On my numerous visits I find little has really changed

Mount Ephaim Mill was lost to a gale in 1955

After many honest years in its new home

Colonel Stephen’s railway is also long gone

No trains run to Ash today and they are softly missed

Which cannot be said of the frequent cars and trucks

Which make the village seem busier than it actually is

The buses still run but they are becoming less frequent

The village somewhat smarter is more ordered and bright

But how many of the residents are Kent born

How many families can count their village generations

Ash is by no means unique which is a little sad

Time Future Time Present Time Past