Sargent (1895–1967), conductor, organist and composer; born in Ashford Gerald Sithole (born 2002), professional footballer played for Gillingham and Bolton Wanderers, born in Ashford. Jamie Staff (born 1973), BMX cycling world champion; track cycling Commonwealth Games and world championship gold medalist; born in Ashford Oli Sykes (born 1986), vocalist for alternative metal band Bring Me the Horizon; born in Ashford Eric Thiman (1900–1975), English composer James Tredwell (born 1982), Kent and England One Day International cricketer; born in the area Tom Varndell (born 1985), professional rugby union player; born in Ashford Dr John Wallis, (1616–1703), internationally recognised as one of the greatest mathematicians, credited by Sir Isaac Newton as being the founder of his theory of gravity; born in Ashford Simone Weil (1909–1943), French philosopher and mystic, died in Grosvenor Sanatorium and is buried in the town's Bybrook Cemetery John Wells (1936–1998), actor, writer and satirist; began his television career as a writer on That Was The Week That Was; born in Ashford Notes and references People from Ashford, Kent Lists of English people by location People from Ashford