Ashwell, Hertfordshire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ashwell |
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 St Mary's parish church in Ashwell |
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 Ashwell
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| Population | 1,870 (2011 Census) |
| OS grid reference | TL265398 |
| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BALDOCK |
| Postcode district | SG7 |
| Dialling code | 01462 |
| Police | Hertfordshire |
| Fire | Hertfordshire |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament |
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Ashwell is a lovely village in Hertfordshire, England. It is about 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) north-east of Baldock. Ashwell is a civil parish, which means it has its own local council.
Contents
History of Ashwell
Ancient Times in Ashwell
To the southwest of Ashwell, you can find Arbury Banks. These are the remains of an Iron Age hill fort. A hill fort was a large, strong settlement built on a hill. Most of it has been flattened by farming over the years.
In 2002, a local person found a silver Roman statue of a goddess named Dea Senuna. This was a very exciting discovery! Later digs found 26 more gold and silver items. These were found at a large outdoor religious site from Roman times.
Buildings and Events in Ashwell
Ashwell has many old buildings from different centuries. You can see medieval cottages and grander town houses. They are made of timber or brick, with thatched or tiled roofs.
A big fire happened in Ashwell on February 2, 1850. Luckily, no one was hurt.
Many buildings in Ashwell are "listed." This means they are important and protected. Some examples include:
- The St. John's Guildhall, built in 1681.
- The Chantry House, which has a window from the 1400s.
- A 16th-century town house, now a local museum.
- The Maltings, which used to be where grain was processed.
- A small brick house built in 1681 as a school.
Ashwell Bury is a large Victorian house. It was updated in the 1920s by a famous architect, Edwin Lutyens. He also designed the Ashwell War Memorial, which was put up in 1922.
Ashwell also has a historic village lock-up. This was a small jail used to hold people who caused trouble, like drunks or suspected criminals.
In the past, Ashwell had many breweries and pubs. Today, there are three pubs: The Rose and Crown, the Three Tuns, and the Bushel and Strike.
Since 1850, Ashwell has had a railway station. It is called Ashwell and Morden railway station. It is about 2.4 kilometres (1.5 miles) from the village centre. The station is actually in a small area called Odsey in Cambridgeshire.
St Mary's Church in Ashwell
The main church in Ashwell is called St Mary the Virgin. Most of it was built in the 1300s. It is famous for its tall, fancy church tower. The tower is 54 metres (176 feet) high. It has an eight-sided top with a pointed roof, called a 'spike'.
Inside the church, you can see old carvings on the walls. These are called graffiti. Some of them show how people suffered during the Black Death. This was a terrible plague that spread in the 1300s. There is also a carving of Old St Paul’s Cathedral.
In 2013, the church clock caused a bit of a stir! Some people complained about the clock chiming every 15 minutes, even at night. The local council had to look into it. They decided the chimes were "bad for health" at night. So, the chimes had to be turned off between 11 pm and 6 am. The village raised money to install a new timer. This timer now makes sure the bells only chime during the day.
Geography of Ashwell
Ashwell Springs
Ashwell Springs is a special natural area. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means it is protected because of its unique nature. The springs are a constant source of water for the River Cam.
The cool water from these chalk springs is home to a rare type of flatworm. This tiny creature loves cold water. It is only found in this part of England. Sometimes, water needs to be added to the springs. This is because nearby areas use a lot of water from underground.
Ashwell's Green Surroundings
Ashwell village is like a "green oasis." It has many trees and plants. This is a nice contrast to the farms around it. The surrounding land is mostly used for growing wheat.
How Ashwell is Governed
Ashwell has three levels of local government:
- Ashwell Parish Council: This is the local council for the village itself.
- North Hertfordshire District Council: This council covers a larger area, including Ashwell.
- Hertfordshire County Council: This is the council for the whole county of Hertfordshire.
Ashwell has been a parish for a very long time. In the past, it was part of a larger area called the hundred of Odsey. Over the years, the way local areas were managed changed. Ashwell became part of different districts. Since 1974, it has been part of North Hertfordshire.
Sport in Ashwell
Ashwell has many successful sports teams. These include teams for football and cricket. The adult football team has won several awards. The cricket team won the Cambridgeshire Junior Cup in 2003. They play in Division 1 of the Cambridgeshire league.
There are also many other clubs and groups in Ashwell. They offer activities for all kinds of interests. Ashwell has a junior soccer team called the Academicals. They have players from age 5 to 18.
Notable residents
Many interesting people have lived in Ashwell:
- Erasmus Darwin Barlow: A psychiatrist and businessman. He was the great-grandson of Charles Darwin.
- William Bill: He was in charge of the University of Cambridge in 1548. He was also the Dean of Westminster.
- Colin Blumenau: An actor.
- Jack Blumenau: An actor.
- Peter Boston: An architect and illustrator.
- Mike Bushell: A BBC sports presenter.
- Thomas Cawton: An English clergyman who studied theology in the village.
- Edric Cundell: An English composer and conductor.
- William Dakins: An English academic and clergyman.
- Kiki Dee: A singer famous for her song "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" with Elton John.
- Cathie Felstead: An illustrator.
- George Joye: A 16th-century Bible translator.
- Paul Maltby: An Air Vice-Marshal (a high-ranking officer in the air force).
- Herbert Palmer: An English clergyman and President of Queens' College, Cambridge.
- Jonathan E. Sheppard: A famous horse trainer in American Thoroughbred horse racing.
Gallery
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Ashwell Museum on Swan Street
See also
In Spanish: Ashwell (Hertfordshire) para niños
