Hello Frederickay,
I don't know if you still visit this site, I hope that you do.
My mother and her 2 elder sisters were at Ashford from about 1923 - 1935.
They were from Fulham and names were Hilda, Gladys and Winnie.
Just like others on here, my Mum always spoke fondly of her time there despite the strict regime. She felt that they were lucky to have good food, education, hospital etc.
She used to always talk about the wonderful times she had on holidays in Dymchurch and as a child we had to go and visit there a couple times!
Her lifelong love of listening to Gilbert and Sullivan came from the performances that the school put on, though she never got to watch a performance as an adult - except on the TV.
It obviously must have been tough too. No visits from home as no-one could afford it although I do remember her saying she did have a few visits from her Aunty May.
Maybe she did look at it through rose coloured specs, but I don't think so. She was smart and understood how fortunate they probably were. In fact, my Mum always called it her Boarding School and when much later it became a Borstal she was really upset!
My sister has a postcard wishing her a happy birthday from the school. It also has with a photo of her in what seems to be a girls sports team - well they are in shorts!
I would love to hear from anyone who remembers any of them. Or indeed just about the school in general.
Thank you for reading my ramblings.
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