After being demobbed following the war, in 1947, and having sailed on HMS Formidable as an in-flight photographer, Victor Graham Mathews started a photographic business in Bank Street, Ashford, Kent, called Photocraft. He married Mary and briefly moved the business to Hythe before returning to Ashford in 1950, moving both the business and home into 40 High Street. In 1952, Victor & Mary proudly an
d faithfully launched their first son Geoffrey and the sounds of infancy rang out in the upper flat above the business. Four years later Geoffrey was presented with a brother named Philip and the first true sounds of stereo childhood were born. This was quickly followed by surround sound echoing through the fabric of the building and two attentive parents made the equation quadraphonic. Geoff & Phil grew up within the rabbit warren of enclaves and vaults of 40 High Street until 1960, when they moved to a new home in Upper Queens Road, where Mary still resides today. Following various electronic innovations in the mid Sixties, the reproduction of music became a popular pastime and Victor opened his first Hifi shop next door at 38, aptly named Soundcraft. The shop was quickly successful and outgrew its minimal premises, moving down the High Street into a larger shop which is now a restaurant. As interest grew in sound and more room was made available at 40 High Street, Soundcraft moved back. In the early seventies Geoff joined his father in the business and began to expand Soundcraft's range of emerging British-made Hifi. Names such as Leak Trough Line tuners, Quad amplifiers and Revox tape recorders soon adorned the shelves and a purpose-made demonstration room was adapted from what was formerly the photographic studio. Meanwhile, brother Phil joined the British Merchant Navy with P&O as a Radio & Electronics Officer, carrying on the family quest for sound communications. With the advent of computers and satellite communications, the need for a dedicated wireless and Morse code position led Phil on to become Technical Officer, and he is still sailing around the world today. Whilst on leave Phil assists Geoff in the design and development of multi room systems and related technical matters. In the early nineties whilst starting to redesign and decorate the demonstration room, original oak beams were discovered behind the walls, dating back to the 16th Century. These beams are thought to have come from a smuggler's boat on the Romney Marshes. The beams have been featured in the audition area along with the original fireplace and brickwork, making a comfortable backdrop to experience some of the very best sounds and vision available. Today, Soundcraft maintains its position at the leading edge of Hifi innovation, being one of the best centres of new Digital music technology in the UK. We also design bespoke installations, giving our customers home entertainment tailored to their every need. We are proud of our history, and believe it is our experience that makes us one of the best.
