How a town is fighting plans to move its treasured World War I tank 170 miles away

It’s been a treasured landmark for 106 years, arriving at the end of World War I and taking pride of place in the town centre.

But Ashford’s rare Mark IV tank may soon be the move, much to the chagrin of residents and business owners.

The armoured vehicle, a listed landmark, is in increasingly poor condition and at risk of collapse if it is not restored.

One option would be to move it to The Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset, where repairs could be carried out, a proposal which has caused much anger and upset.

A petition has been launched urging Ashford Borough Council to restore the tank and return it to St George’s Square.

Business owners Ayten Yilmaz and Kate Edwards are two of the people behind the appeal, which has already attracted more than 1,400 signatures.
Miss Yilmaz, who runs By the Tank Cafe, says it is crucial the vehicle stays in Ashford.

The 51-year-old said:’We’re trying to save the tank because it’s close to my shop and the name of my shop is “By The Tank Cafe”.

‘If it left, I would have to completely shut down because most of the people who come to visit the tank come and have a tea or coffee.”

‘It’s so emotional, people saving this country and fighting for it – it should be left for Ashford people here.’

Miss Edwards runs Kall Kwik printing business in nearby North Street. She said: ‘I had been trading in front of the tank for 25 years. Ayten and I have since become good friends, so we’re working together because we don’t want to see it go – it’s a part of Ashford with historical value.

‘It shows what everyone gave up back in the day so we want to make sure that isn’t lost forever.’

Traders said they were more determined to fight after the closure of the nearby Park Mall, which is being turned into homes.

The petition is being backed by Cllr Bill Barrett. ‘Our aim is to make sure the tank stays in the borough of Ashford,’ he said. ‘That’s why we’ve made the wording of the petition really simple.

‘We need 1,500 people to sign it as that is the threshold of verified signatures needed to debate at full council. Within two weeks we’re almost there now and we want to get to 3,000.’

The Mark IV tank, No 245, arrived in Ashford on August 1, 1919 and was driven to St George’s Square, where it remains to this day.

It was one of 265 vehicles presented by the National War Savings Committee to towns that had been particularly generous in the purchase of war bonds.

Today Ashford’s Mark IV is the only one on public outdoor display in the UK, and one of only seven survivors across the world.

Among those to sign the petition are residents Phillip Lawrence, 84, and Barry Quaife, 82.

Mr Lawrence said: ‘I’m worried we’ll wake up one day and it’s just gone – that’s my biggest fear.

‘I just know the tank is a big part of Ashford, so we want to win with the petition.’

Mr Quaife added: ‘During the last year, Ashford has changed so much and it’s made me angry and sad.

‘It feels like its culture is just disappearing. I’ve even started looking at moving. At my age I don’t want to put myself through that, but at least I can make sure the tank remains here.’

Ashford Borough Council insists only initial conversations with tank restoration organisations have been held and no final decision will be made without public consultation.

Council leader, Cllr Noel Ovenden, said: ‘Some initial discussions have taken place in order to understand how best we can protect this nationally significant rare tank from disappearing through decay.

‘Any action taken by the council to secure the long-term survival of this nationally important asset will, out of necessity, involve consultation with the public and other significant stakeholders.

‘That said, the tank is in danger of literally falling apart – the rust has taken hold, and if nothing is done in the next five or 10 years, it will be beyond repair.

‘£1 million has been allocated towards restoring ABC’s historical assets, but the money will not cover all the previous years of neglect.

‘Potential options will be put together and at some point later this year they will all be put on the table for councillors to look at all of the options, before the public get to have their say.’

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