Ashdon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ashdon |
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 Ashdon Windmill |
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 Ashdon
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| Population | 893 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | TL584421 |
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| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Saffron Walden |
| Postcode district | CB10 |
| Dialling code | 01799 |
| Police | Essex |
| Fire | Essex |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament |
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Ashdon is a village and civil parish in Essex, England. It is located about 4 miles (6.4 km) northeast of Saffron Walden. Ashdon is also about 23 miles (37 km) northwest of Chelmsford, the county town. The village is part of the Uttlesford district. It also has its own local Parish Council.
Contents
About Ashdon
Ashdon is located about 4 miles (6.4 km) northeast of Saffron Walden. The village sits on the River Bourn. This river is a small branch of the River Granta, which then flows into the River Cam. Ashdon is very close to the border between Essex and Cambridgeshire counties.
In 2011, about 893 people lived in Ashdon. This was an increase from 792 people in 2001. Besides Ashdon village itself, the area also includes two smaller places: Steventon End and Church End.
The River Bourn has caused some flooding in Ashdon. Heavy rain and winds led to floods in 2000 and 2001. On June 14, 2007, the village had flash flooding. A whole month's worth of rain fell in just one hour. In 2018, new outdoor fitness equipment was added for everyone to use.
A Look Back in Time
Ashdon was first mentioned in the Domesday Book. This was a very old record made in 1086. Back then, it was known as Ascenduna.
Ashdon is thought to be the place of an important battle in 1016. This was the Battle of Assandun. It was a big step towards creating a united England. In this battle, the Danish King Canute (also called Cnut) defeated the English King Edmund II. After the battle, King Edmund II gave most of England to Canute. In 2016, groups from Ashdon and Hadstock held events to remember this battle. On September 10, 2016, a re-enactment of the battle took place. About 80 actors took part in this event.
The village of Ashdon is split into two parts. There is the main village in the valley and Church End, which has the Guildhall. Originally, the village was built on a hill. But during the Black Death in the 1200s and 1300s, villagers moved down the hill. They did this to escape the terrible plague.
The Bartlow Hills are ancient burial mounds. They were all located in Ashdon Parish. This was before the county border changed. There might have been vineyards near the church long ago. During the time of Henry VIII, the village priest was a royal chaplain. He even helped with the king's marriage to Anne Boleyn.
Farming has always been very important in Ashdon. In 1914, farmers in Ashdon went on strike. They were unhappy about their low wages. They earned only 13 shillings a week, which was one of the lowest in the country. They also protested when workers who joined a union were fired. The strikers held protests and concerts at a former pub called The Fox. They also had processions with flags and torches at night. About 70 police officers came to the village during the strike. Eight workers were sent to prison for a month. They refused to pay fines. The workers wanted 16 shillings a week and shorter hours. They finally agreed on 15 shillings a week. This ended the strike just before World War I began.
Ashdon also had a train stop called Ashdon Halt. It was part of the Saffron Walden Railway. This stop was open from 1911 to 1964. The village had to campaign for a long time to get it opened.
A brave woman named Elizabeth Everitt is remembered in Ashdon. She died in 1944 while saving an American pilot. She was given the Albert Medal after her death. This was the highest award for civilians at the time.
Ashdon Today
Ashdon Primary School is for children aged 4 to 11. It is an old Victorian building. About 90 students attend the school. In 2013, Ashdon Forest School became the first outdoor pre-school to be checked by Ofsted. It received a "Good" rating.
In 2014, a clothing company in Ashdon called Hideout Leather made jackets for the movie Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation.
The village has had problems with speeding cars. In 2018, over 1,000 cars were caught going over 36 mph in a 30 mph zone. Efforts are being made to set a 20 mph speed limit. Also in 2018, 18 people picked up 18 bags of litter. The WI in Ashdon celebrated its 100th birthday in 2018. By 2019, all 27 old streetlights in the village were updated to modern ones.
How Ashdon is Run
Ashdon has its own electoral ward. This ward includes the parishes of Ashdon, Hadstock, and Sewards End. It also includes the Little Walden area of Saffron Walden parish. In 2011, about 1,736 people lived in this ward.
Sports in Ashdon
Ashdon has a cricket team that plays at Waltons Park. There is also a football team called Ashdon United. The village has a cycling club called Ashdon Velo. This club has hosted many cycling events. These include the Regional Championships in 2010.
Places to See
There is a windmill on a hill called Bragg's Mill. It has been repaired and is one of the few remaining post mills in Essex. Long ago, the mill had a brewery. To celebrate this, a special Ashdon Amber ale was brewed. The restored windmill was opened on September 23, 2006. There is also a village museum with information about local history. It was updated in 2017.
Ashdon has three religious places. These are two churches, All Saints' Church and Ashdon Baptist Church. There is also a Buddhist retreat called Marpa House. Ashdon Baptist Church has been in the village since 1809. All Saints' Church was built in the 1200s. It is a very important historical building. A church bell there is believed to be over 500 years old. Marpa House Buddhist retreat started in 1973. It teaches Tibetan Buddhism.
The village also has a pub called The Rose and Crown. Some people say it is haunted! It was even visited by Cromwell long ago. Many farms are also part of the village.
See also
In Spanish: Ashdon para niños
