Ashwell
is a picturesque village in north Hertfordshire some 45 miles from the
centre of London and a few miles from the A1(M) motorway. It nestles on the chalk scarp on the spring line.
The springs, to be found in the village, are one of the sources
of the River Cam.
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A
planned Anglo-Saxon town, Ashwell has a range of vernacular
buildings which are dominated by the impressive 14th century St
Mary’s Church. A
market town at the time of the Domesday Survey of 1086 the
street pattern still indicates where the market place was. During the medieval period the village stagnated and is one
of the reasons for the wealth of timber-framed buildings to be
found when walking down the High Street. |
| Today
the village is home to about 1,700 people and is a hub of
activity. The shops and services cater of most daily needs and include
a small supermarket, a butcher, a baker, a chemist, a post office, hairdressers, an estate agent and a florist.
There is a doctor’s surgery and a dental surgery.
Spiritual needs are catered for by a church, two chapels
and three pubs. |
High Street
|
Ashwell Village Museum |
Cultural
life is active. Ashwell
Festival caters for music although there are concerts at other
times of the year, Seven Springs Gallery, in its new premises,
provides exhibitions of painting, pottery, prints and sculpture.
Ashwell Village Museum is a place to see artefacts,
photographs and documents relating to the history of the
settlement, while Ashwell Education Services provides research
into the history of the parish and people who lived in it. Ashwell Primary School enrols children not only from Ashwell
but also the neighbouring villages.
Ashwell Playgroup and Ashwell Toddler Groups cater for
those too young for school.
Besides these there are a number of active societies
which flourish: the Women’s Institute, Ashwell Theatre Club,
Ashwell Horticultural Society, 4th Thursday Club, St.
Mary’s Church Choir, Cub Scouts, Girl Guides and Brownies. |
For
those interested in sport there are cricket, football, tennis, and
badminton clubs. Ashwell
Show, on August Bank holiday, not only allow some to qualify for the
Horse of the Year show and for Crufts but also provides pleasure for
thousands and much appreciated donations to local worthy causes.
Ashwell at Home, on a Sunday in mid-May, raises money for the
museum, school and church restoration fund.
On this is a day gardens, shops and businesses are open to the
public for a small charge.
Ashwell Millennium Picnic
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Ashwell Year Book
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Ashwell
Parish Council publishes the Ashwell
Year Book each year in time for the annual parish meeting
which is held in late March.
Besides the minutes of the previous annual meeting and
reports from the chairman of the council and the committees
local organisations report on their activities.
There are also useful jottings, interesting photographs
and a classified directory. To
order a current or back copies see Ashwell
Education Services. |
History
of Ashwell
Village
Design Statement
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