Surprised by Aylesford

Aylesford was once a village that was if not quiet had at least a pleasant surrounding. Sure there were the industries there such as the pottery and the paper mill. The good friars at the priory kept up their worship and their ministry. As a child I used to go and visit a great Aunt in one of the houses close to the river. My grandmother lived for a while in the old Alms Houses and a favourite aunt lived not far from the village. I was used to wandering around and feeling very English. Here was a historical place where the Romans were said to cross and the pack horse bridge proved that a crossing had been here for centuries.

St Peter's can be seen from miles around and if you stand on the grass in front of the church you can look over the rooftops and down into the village. Even today as you can see from the picture that is a pleasant and peaceful rural sight. The problem is that Aylesford is surrounded by industry; new and somewhat ugly housing has sprouted up although there are attempts to make the buildings fit in with the riverside ambience. It is good that the riverside park is a pleasant place to walk in and if you ignore the noise of the ever present traffic this can a pleasant experience .

A view down the high street from the church looking toward that other establishment of sustenance of a less spiritual kind, The Chequers Inn, is a fine sight on a sunny day. There are traffic lights - I always remember there were traffic lights - controlling the traffic and this made it easier to get a vehicle free shot. I was trying to avoid motor vehicles this day which turned out to be rather ironic. I was surprised when during my walk around; to the noisy bits as well, I noted the large numbers of motorcycles of Classic and Vintage models that were ridden through the village.

Discovery came from a small group outside a pub. This was the weekend of the International West Kent Rally and it was taking place at The Friars. I trotted along with my camera and saw motorcycles I had not seen for years. Some makes and models I had seen being raced in New Zealand and others at smaller rallies or shows here in the UK and some I had only heard of; and others that I never knew existed.

A BSA being ridden to the rally.

Sometimes when you go places for one purpose you are surprised by what you find. Aylesford was like that. I went expecting to be trying to avoid industry and look for the essential village and discovered the products of an industry shown in all its historic glory by a bunch of enthusiasts from all over Europe. Did you know that Peugot made motorcycles?

Now that was a surprise.