Ashford in Kent, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Mystery of the Stags

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, March 27, 2025

1. Mystery of the Stags Marker

Inscription.
When George Harper gifted the Hubert Fountain to the town he included two magnificent life-sized iron stags. It was assumed that they had been taken down alongside the park fencing which was donated to the war effort during the 1940s. However, a photo surfaced dating back to the 1950s, which shows the stags still on their plinths, but without their antlers.

Over two years through 2020-2022, a crack team of local residents, council officers, and an Ivor Novello award winner led a search through official archives and community memories for the missing stags. Although ultimately unsuccessful, along the way they found a family of other stag statues which they brought back to call Victoria Park their home.

Perhaps you've seen a shiny herd crossing the North Downs under cover of darkness, or one of your neighbours has suspiciously-large garden ornaments… The original stags current adventures remain a mystery!

Erected by Ashford Borough Council.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas.

Location. 51° 8.657′ N, 0° 51.956′ E. Marker is in Ashford, England, in Kent. It can be reached from Jemmett Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Jemmett Rd, Ashford, England TN23 4QA, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Greater South East.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bowen Field (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hubert Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); The Borough Arms (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); TS Churchill, Ashford Sea & Royal Marine Cadets (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); HMS Albacore and 'Warship Week' (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Anne Frank's Tree (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Grammar School (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); British Mark IV Female Tank, No 245 (approx. 0.7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ashford.

The Hubert Fountain image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, March 27, 2025

2. The Hubert Fountain

Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 1, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 84 times since then and 9 times this year. Last updated on May 2, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 1, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.