Joyce and I loved to visit Ashburton and Doris Turner our dear friend at Melrose, happy days that live on in my heart.

I am trying to compile a list of former Ashburton Carnival Queens so that there can be a permanent record on the Carnival Royalty Float. If you were a former carnival queen, or you know who was queen in a particular year, please contact me by phone or e-mail. Many thanks. prmoore08@btinternet.com

Good luck to Ashburton AFC in their quest to advance into the final of the George Belli Cup. Its many years since I battled with Phil Goodwin for the only large shirt in the kit bag. But it was always a pleasure to play alongside Paddy Harding, Mike Harding, Dougie Distin, Adrian Daw, Lol Avery, Rob Brailley, Pete Wooton, John Brixey, Barry French and many more stalwarts of the club. Not forgetting Cyril Bowen who would be shouting encouragement to us from the touchline. Well I think it was encouragement, because he always did it with a smile. I recall we were playing Upton Reserves in Torquay and one of their players, Puff Gibson, was getting a bit 'niggly' so Cyril told me to sit on him, hoping he would react and draw the ref's attention. I kind of misinterpereted what Cyril said and 'upended' Mr Gibson a few times, and at halftime Cyril came over to me and said, smiling, I didn't mean sit on him literally, just to mark him closely. Happy days.

How I miss Ashburton I grew up there but haven't been back for 30 years one day if I'm lucky.

Ashburton can only be described as gods own town where no matter who you are you can always be sure of a warm welcome. I grew up there until I married in 1985 and moved away, however Ahsburton has and always will be home it's where my heart really is. Last month I saw my dad William (Bill) Shapley sworn in as the new master baliff I felt so proud of him and of the town I grew up in among such wonderful people. It only leaves me to say good luck dad in your office and you can count on our support wherever possible.

Interesting to read the visitor's book and recognize familiar names. On a personal note I would like to offer my heartiest congratulations to William James Shapley on being sworn in as the new Master Bailiff. Have a very good year in this historic office, of the Ancient Stannary Town of Ashburton.

Thank you to one of your wonderful locals, Linda P, who sent me the link for your fabulous website! My GGG Grandfather, John EALES (1799 - 1871), was born in Ashburton to John Eales Sr & Elizabeth Leaman (1775 - 1804). I'm trying to break through a family tree brick wall, that is pre-Australian Eales, so if there are any extended family members out there, please feel free to contact me at ldrury@bigpond.net.au.

My three times great grandmother Grace WEBBER b. 1836 came from Ashburton, as did her father and mother, Richard WEBBER b. 1798 and Elizabeth WEBBER nee LEAMAN b. 1802. I would love to hear from any decendents,contact: brianpritchard41@aol.com

I have not been to Ashburton but intend visiting some time later this year. My maternal Great grandmother Sarah Jane Matterface was born in Ashburton in 1833 and later moved to Bickington when she married my Great grandfather Mathew Nosworthy in 1856.My grandfather was born in Bedford in 1869 and immigrated to South Africa at the turn of the century. I am keen to find out if there are still Matterfaces in Ashburton and whether we are related.

My paternal grandfather, John Henry Knowles, was born in Ashburton on 7 May 1893.He emigrated to Australia in 1911 and served in the Great War where he was severely gassed. He returned to Australia, married, had 12 children and passed away in 1945.I would love to hear from any relatives in Ashburton. Email: kevin.knowles@invest.vic.gov.au