It's been some seven years since racers felt the need for speed in one of Kent's most unusual events.

The Aldington Soapbox Derby saw thousands of spectators watch daredevils fly down a half-mile course at death-defying speeds in a variety of vehicles.

From racers barrelling down the hill - quite literally, in barrels - to a lifesize baby elephant cart, we have taken a look back at the much-missed event and some memories with the help of some of the people who made it legendary.

Peter Morris-Kelso has fond memories of the festivities in his home village, having attended many derbies and eventually joining as chief marshal.

"It was great fun every year," he said, "just the variety of things that you would see coming down that hill and the fun that everyone had taking part was fantastic."

The village’s first ever Soapbox Derby was held in 1995 as part of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of VE Day.

It was organised by the Millennium Committee, consisting of several residents from the village, and saw 30 individuals and teams compete in their own carts.

The committee then organised a second Derby in 2000, which saw about 25 teams take part.

"Perhaps the best one was in 2002," said Mr Morris-Kelso, "it coincided with the Queen's Golden Jubilee and the Olympics, so it was almost triple the celebration.

"Back then it wasn't just the derby either, you had a whole fete to go alongside it which obviously drew even more people in."

Naturally, there was an element of danger for racers and spectators alike, with carts reaching speeds of more than 30mph down the hill.

"We always had St John Ambulance on standby, but they were only ever needed once and that was nothing to do with the track!

"I do remember that one year we did have a lady who rolled a cart in the first year I was marshalling, but somehow she was completely unhurt.
"I believe someone fell out of a tree; I forget which year it was, but thankfully they were okay after being checked over."

The novelty race saw entrants judged on both speed and originality, encouraging a menagerie of varied carts, from the fastest to the most fun-focused.

"There were so many varied carts; some people went for the highest speed and others came up with the most ridiculous carts," Mr Morris-Kelso remembers.

"We had skips, picnic tables with beer barrels for wheels... one year someone turned up in an fibreglass elephant cart that was the same size as a baby elephant!"

Also looking back with fond memories was Darren Long, who was a regular racer in the derby with his friends.

"We were a small group of friends whose lives at that time revolved around motorsport. We called ourselves Weekendtoyz Racing," he said.

"If we weren’t on the race track then we were in the garage. Inspired by a video from America of high speed downhill soapbox racing which was full of carnage, we gathered materials and got to work on our first soapbox.

"Upon completion we needed somewhere to race it, and by chance at the Kent Kit Car show we met John Nash, a participant from the Aldington Soapbox Derby.

"It was local and raised money for Pilgrims Hospice, so off went our application form."

The derby and accompanying fete raised money each year for important causes, with Pilgrims Hospice being a regular benefactor.

While charities and causes varied across the years, more than £70,000 was raised overall in the festival's life span.

"We took part from 2009 all the way through to the last event in 2015," said Mr Long.

"For a number of those years we entered two soapboxes for the event, and overall we built and raced four different soapboxes."

The team's constructions varied from a modified step ladder to a wooden racer nicknamed 'The Graviton' – a speedy machine that reached speeds of over 40mph despite suffering from what Mr Long described as 'wheel wobble'.

The daredevil and his friends were so passionate about the racing that even once-in-a-lifetime events wouldn't stop them from appearing.

"The final event was held the day after returning from my Honeymoon, but I wasn’t going to miss it!" Mr Long explained.

"With the commentator wishing us well I set off down the hill past my anxiously waiting wife who was amongst the crowds.

"Paul O'Grady turned up on occasions and was kind enough to have his photo taken with the team and our soapboxes.

"We had a great time through those years. Friends working together through the year to build, test, find sponsorship and finally race our creations with the proceeds going to Pilgrims Hospice."

Mr Long's team were also joined by The Newchurch Neanderthals, a trio from across the borough on Romney Marsh.

The team, made up of Paul Prentice, Jon Brazier and Kevin Shaw, took part each year with a new wacky design every fete.

"Some particular selections include a black ball pool table, Yellow Submarine and the Black Pearl pirate ship," said Mr Prentice.

"We've got great memories of creating each of the go carts, testing them out and competing under the dulcet tones of Peter the compare.

"We also had a full blown working shower on one cart – Dirty bathtubs – which was able to cool the audience down the hill!"

The final derby was held in 2015, before a lack of volunteers and backing forced it to shut down.

"Ashford Lions Club helped us in 2015, both with funding and people to help out, but after that it was much more difficult," explained Mr Morris-Kelso.

"I think people weren't expecting the level of work it took. The committee as it was said they would stop, but left the door open to anyone wants to carry it on, so you never know."

Do you have memories of the Soapbox Derby? Write in to ajee@thekmgroup.co.uk