ON July 26th, 1819, Thomas Ashford received the Freedom of the Borough of Monmouth.

His name was perpetuated in the lane leading off Wonastow Road, known as Ashford Buildings. The last cottage bearing his name was demolished in the 1970s to make room for the new school at Overmonnow.

During the summer of 2000, Thomas's great-great - great - granddaughter visited Monmouth. Purely by chance the U3A Local History Group were meeting and their Convenor, Mr Derek Jones, mentioned this lady's visit and that she was meeting Mr Keith Kissack and looking for more information on the Ashford family.

Mrs Eileen Boulton, a member of the U3A's History Group, mentioned that she and her cousin, Mrs Bronwyn Gutteridge, another member, were also descendants of Thomas Ashford, he being their great - great - grandfather.

This resulted in contact being made between the cousins and last week Mrs Janet Retter (nee Ashford) came from her home in Northamptonshire to meet Mrs Boulton and Mrs Gutteridge and to visit Ashford Buildings' Lane.

Mrs Retter's father has the original illuminated certificate granted to Thomas Ashford by the Monmouth Borough and signed by the then Mayor of Monmouth, James Hardwick. Her father has the plaque with Thomas Ashford's initials which came off the front of Ashford Cottage when it was demolished.

Mrs Retter's great- grandfather, another Thomas Ashford, named after his ancestor, was born at Dingestow and joined the railway when it was in its heyday. He later became Station Master at Woodstock, Oxon, the station closely associated with Blenheim Palace. Mrs Boulton's and Mrs Gutteridge's uncle, Mr Edward Hunt, left his parents' home at Drybridge Farm and started a railway career with his uncle Thomas Ashford at Woodstock. He eventually became Station Master in Reading.

Mrs Retter is still seeking more history of the Ashford family and is particularly interested in the surnames of Hatch and Morris, all of who lived in the Monmouth area and married into the family.

Anyone with any information should contact 01600 772311.