Anyone who has visited the park recently might have noticed a large mural on the main building. The team commissioned Hello Murals, two Kent-based artists, to transform the wall. The mural has been inspired by the mystery of the stags campaign which launched in October to try to find the life-sized stags which used to sit by the Hubert Fountain.

Park visitors can stand in front of the wall and take a selfie wearing the stag’s antlers. There is also a Snow Dog featured, as a throwback to the Snow Dogs Discover Ashford trail from 2018.

Continuing the stag inspiration, all the borough’s residents are encouraged to get involved in the project by penning their own story about what happened to the stags. Were they the first stags in space? Or have they been on a secret service detail for the Queen?

Entries must be received by midnight on Wednesday 23 December, with results announced on Friday 8 January. The top three winners in each age category will have their story recorded on video by a member of the local community and uploaded to YouTube for families to enjoy. For full details follow Victoria Park on social media – search for Victoria Park Ashford on Facebook or Twitter.

Young people aged 12-25 who want to get involved in the youth activities happening in the park can sign up to join the youth council. Anyone interested needs to register their details with Nicola at Nicola.priest@ashford.gov.uk. The first meeting will be held virtually on 27 November 6-7pm. Members will be able to have their say on what happens in the park, get involved in different activities and work on their own projects.

Cllr Matthew Forest, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Tourism and Leisure, and Cllr Jenny Webb, Deputy Portfolio Holder for Culture, Tourism and Leisure, said: “The revitalisation of Victoria Park is a really exciting project, and there are so many ways for residents and visitors to get involved in making these improvements. We encourage any young people who are interested to join the youth council to be involved in how the park develops spaces for you.

“The stags were a great focal point for the park, it is lovely to see them back in the mural. We are looking forward to hearing what the borough’s creative minds think the stags have been up to for the last 50 years – we’re sure there will be some great stories out there.”

More information about the Victoria Park project is available online at www.ashford.gov.uk/victoria-park , and there are updates on social media. www.facebook.com/VictoriaParkABC , www.twitter.com/victoriaparkABC  and www.instagram.com/victoriaparkashford

©Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2003 -