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by Sam Lennon

Uncharted passages and side streets form part of a theme for
this year’s Ashford Visual Arts and Architecture Festival.

The Hidden Passages feature explores the history of Ashford’s
many passages and side streets that exist but are not named on any
map.

It will feature The Cage, an ancient prison cell that is still
in place beneath Ashford High Street.

Art installations will be displayed in key locations in the town
centre event, which runs from September 2 to September 30.

It will highlight both the area’s historical significance and
the various meanings of the word passage, such as a path or
corridor, a brief portion of written work or speech and passage of
time.

The festival’s main sites and installations include The Art
Room, North Street; St Mary’s Churchyard, and the George pub in
Ashford High Street.

The George, for instance will have a Passages of The Times,
looking back centuries ago when the newspaper would be delivered
from London by coach and read out in the yard.

The Hidden Passages map and audio guide explores blocked up
archways in basements and walls and trapdoors in floors.

The festival, now in its fourth year, culminates in a grand
finale on September 26 with dance, drumming and parkour
performances throughout the town centre.

Hidden Passages is a partnership led by the East Kent Local
Authority Arts Partnership with Ashford Borough Council, Kent
Extended School Service and the NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent
PCT.

Other partners include Ashford Library, Ashford Museum and St
Mary’s Church.