Celebrating Ashford International's 183rd Birthday, Monday 1st December 2025 Music and Mince Pies Party
On Monday 1st December, Ashford International station celebrated it’s 183 year old birthday having opened in 1842. To mark this auspicious occasion station adopters Ashford College students entertained passengers with music and mince pies. With it being the beginning of December, everyone was ready to join in the festive fun!
The station foyer was chilly with the doors regularly opening for the huge number of passengers to enter however, the atmosphere soon warmed up with the magical sounds of students singing. Passengers lingered to listen allowing for valuable engagement, some were travelling to the airport before departing to Australia, some to Birmingham via London and others more local. Some passengers joined in the festive spirit having photos with Santa, Janet pulled out a bag of Heroes informing us Santa is her hero! Lots of children enjoyed meeting Santa and receiving a Kent CRP pencil.
Even the ‘big kids’ joined in, a great bunch of students who came in support of their peers, they are making a heart sign with their fingers. Passengers were interested in our projects along the line, one was very complimentary about our community café at Hollingbourne, “It was so good, the staff are great, and the food is delicious, I didn’t know that’s one of your projects.” Another said they were travelling to Charing station so we discussed the new nature garden created by Heath Farm School, they said they would take a look at the recent developments. Some enjoyed our tote bags with the Kent CRP logo and others the remainder of our pens. Leaflets promoting walking and cycling routes around Maidstone, Ashford and Canterbury were also discussed and shared.
Jemma, Ashford College Tutor brought 4 of her talented hair and beauty students who treated passengers to a special hair treat, one little girl was particularly happy. These events offer students opportunities to meet the public or perform in public which tutors have informed us build their confidence and provide invaluable experiences to help prepare them for when they leave college and begin work.
This was a great opportunity to promote community rail and on hearing of the many completed Ashford station adoption art projects and those in the pipeline some passengers said they would look out for them especially the artwork currently being prepared for platform 5 & 6 at Ashford International.
A huge thank you to Kyle Miller Station Manager and Jo Brown Assistant Principal Ashford College for their permission and facilitation
