Ashford Sounds

Sophie Stone and Thomas Green (drum&ink) collaborated as Artists in Residence in Ashford for Create Music Village 2024 exploring the sounds of Ashford, and their associated stories and lived experiences.

The community were invited to join the artists on soundwalks across Ashford as well as contribute their own recordings of the local area. The project culminated in compositions of sound recordings taken on soundwalks across Ashford which were shared both online (headphones recommended) and at listening stations in venues across Ashford throughout October 2024.

Community Contributors: Lindsey, Jackie, Noah, Heather, Chris, Casey, Melissa, Ashford Bell Ringers, Ashford Community Drum Band.

Listening Stations: Coachworks, The Ashford Cinema, Low Key Taproom, Salata, Made in Ashford & The Beehive.

Sounds captured, arranged and edited by: Sophie Stone and Thomas Green.

Mastered by: Peter Falconer.

Recordings:

Documentation:

CHARTFIELDS

Sunday 28th July 2024

Time: 11:00-12:30

Starting Location: ///flats.curry.become

Distance: 2.1 miles

Weather: Mostly sunny and breezy

Temperature: 21°C

Participants: 4 + dog

Observations: Familiarity, butterfly count, edible plants, no lizards, planes, orchard, grasshoppers, family, quiet as expected, green, cafe, community gardens, fruit trees.

STANHOPE

Sunday 28th July 2024

Time: 13:00-14:15

Starting Location: ///gladiators.lines.fired

Distance: 1.7 miles

Weather: Mostly sunny and breezy

Temperature: 23°C

Participants: 3 + dog

Observations: Ice cream, quiet (unexpectedly), light traffic, no children playing, Pentecostal church service, friendly people, 56 years in Stanhope, whole life in Stanhope, 7 years in Stanhope, brother-in-law as a neighbour, sense of community, more community activities wanted, litter, chalk, water bombs, pavement.

TOWN CENTRE

Sunday 11th August 2024

Time: 11:00-12:15

Starting Location: ///loving.lucky.editor

Distance: 1.1 miles

Weather: Mostly sunny

Temperature: 22°C

Participants: 2

Observations: Quiet trains (unexpected), busy roads, birds (multidirectional), St Mary the Virgin Church (a peaceful and quiet central hub), chat with Andy, buzzing town, keyboard player, many Seagulls, distant cars, different languages, different scents (tarmac, grass, cafes).

WILLESBOROUGH

Sunday 11th August 2024

Time: 13:00-14:15

Starting Location: ///twin.spaces.inform

Distance: 1.8 miles

Weather: Mostly sunny

Temperature: 23°C

Participants: 4

Observations: Community buzz, windmill, heritage fair, stationary engines, roar of Hythe Road (crossing), open green, birdsong, teens in the park, rustling leaves, peaceful cemetery, visitors, play area (zipline), Church Road, ice cream.

SINGLETON

Sunday 8th September 2024

Time: 11:00-12:10

Starting Location: ///humid.gown.oils

Distance: 1.3 miles

Weather: Mostly sunny and showers

Temperature: 18°C

Participants: 3 + 3 dogs

Observations: Shops, jigsaw pieces, dogs, transient distant chatter, magnet fishing, Lukasz the fisherman, Long-tailed Tits, flow regulation, water, fallen Crab apples, boardwalk, glittery rain, umbrella.

REPTON

Sunday 8th September 2024

Time: 13:00-14:05

Starting Location: ///image.defeat.early

Distance: 1.6 miles

Weather: Mostly sunny and showers

Temperature: 19°C

Participants: 3

Observations: New, shops, grid, movement of people, meeting point, green, trains, highspeed, military history, toddler, speed bumps, plane engines, Blackbird, metal gate, picnic bench, dragonflies, traffic island.