Ashton Keynes
Church of the Holy Cross, Ashton Keynes
Church of the Holy Cross, Ashton Keynes
Church of the Holy Cross, Ashton Keynes
Church of the Holy Cross, Ashton Keynes
Ashton Keynes is a large village on the county boundary with Gloucestershire. Being accessible from Cirencester, Swindon and the nearby Kemble station, which provides a rail link to London, makes it a very desirable location in which to live: the last 30 years have seen a 50% growth in population. The village is dominated by water; the River Thames is on the southern boundary and the Thames Path goes through the village. Gravel extraction is an important industry and part of the Cotswold Water Park is in the parish.
The name Ashton means 'farm by the ash tree'. The later addition of Keynes is a family name; in the 13th century the manor was occupied by a William de Keynes.
Neolithic axe heads have been found here, showing that the land was inhabited as early as 3000-1800BC. Crop marks in the centre of the parish near Kent End reveal a Bronze Age site. This shows a ditched enclosure and a group of circular ring ditches. There is a second, larger site, close to the county boundary at Ash Covert. In the 2nd century this was a Romano/British settlement. Many of these settlements existed, notably the preserved Ancient Monument close to the Cotswold Community School. There was possibly a Roman villa here. Cleveland Farm, near the eastern boundary, is on the site of a Roman Temple.
The name Ashton means 'farm by the ash tree'. The later addition of Keynes is a family name; in the 13th century the manor was occupied by a William de Keynes.
Neolithic axe heads have been found here, showing that the land was inhabited as early as 3000-1800BC. Crop marks in the centre of the parish near Kent End reveal a Bronze Age site. This shows a ditched enclosure and a group of circular ring ditches. There is a second, larger site, close to the county boundary at Ash Covert. In the 2nd century this was a Romano/British settlement. Many of these settlements existed, notably the preserved Ancient Monument close to the Cotswold Community School. There was possibly a Roman villa here. Cleveland Farm, near the eastern boundary, is on the site of a Roman Temple.
From the early 1100s nearly all the land of Ashton Keynes descended as a single estate belonging to Tewkesbury Abbey. After the dissolution the Manor changed hands several times. In 1848 the estate was sold to Lord Henry Vane (later Duke of Cleveland), who in turn left it in his will of 1891 to Arthur Hay-Drummond. Both men increased the size of the estate through purchases of land and cottages. In 1913 the whole estate was put up for auction. The numerous farms and cottages were sold separately and the Manor ceased to exist, although the title Lord of the Manor was bought by Mr. A.W. Bowley, who also bought Church Farm and Kent End Farm.
The Church of the Holy Cross is mostly Norman, and consists of a chancel with north chapel, a nave of four bays with aisles, north and south porches and a western tower containing five bells. It was restored in 1876-7 by William Butterfield. There were Congregational and Primitive Methodist chapels in the village until the 1970s; both buildings are now private houses.
The Church of the Holy Cross is mostly Norman, and consists of a chancel with north chapel, a nave of four bays with aisles, north and south porches and a western tower containing five bells. It was restored in 1876-7 by William Butterfield. There were Congregational and Primitive Methodist chapels in the village until the 1970s; both buildings are now private houses.
Ashton has been described as the village of the four crosses. These crosses were put up for a variety of purposes, including places of worship, boundary marks and meeting places. The four at Ashton were all erected in either the 14th or 15th century, but only the bases and parts of the shafts remain, the tops probably having been smashed during the Civil War. The churchyard cross was re-erected in 1917, the stone pieces having been discovered in various parts of the village. The other crosses are at Park Place, Gumstool Bridge and High Road.
Cove House was built in the 17th century and is believed to have been the residence of the Lord of the Manor, remaining so until the break up of the estate in 1913. It remained a family home until the Second World War, when, at different times, British, Canadian and American troops were stationed there. It has now been converted into two houses.
There is a Mill at Ashton mentioned in Domesday, probably on the same site as the current Mill House. The present building originates from the 16th century, with later additions. It was converted into a house in c.1910 when the mill section was pulled down and made into a garden.
The Old Rectory is an 18th century building on the site of a Rectory built in 1584. There is a date stone inside the house, at one time on the north wall, which reads 'Thomas Aubrey 1584'. There are also remains of a malting kiln.
Cove House was built in the 17th century and is believed to have been the residence of the Lord of the Manor, remaining so until the break up of the estate in 1913. It remained a family home until the Second World War, when, at different times, British, Canadian and American troops were stationed there. It has now been converted into two houses.
There is a Mill at Ashton mentioned in Domesday, probably on the same site as the current Mill House. The present building originates from the 16th century, with later additions. It was converted into a house in c.1910 when the mill section was pulled down and made into a garden.
The Old Rectory is an 18th century building on the site of a Rectory built in 1584. There is a date stone inside the house, at one time on the north wall, which reads 'Thomas Aubrey 1584'. There are also remains of a malting kiln.
The Long House and Long Cottage are in Park Place. (There is another Long House in High Road). A date stone on the house is marked TMC1765. These are the initials of Thomas Carter, who built a bake house and two cottages on the land. By 1858 there was a blacksmith's shop on the site. Later, a room in the house became the village Post Office. The village's first telephone exchange was installed in the next room and the only public telephone was inside the Post Office.
Like many others, this village would have been mostly self sufficient until the mid-20th century. It was mostly a farming community, providing food for the needs of the village. There were also a small number of tradesmen. The 1851 census records 122 agricultural labourers; second in this list are the 55 glovers. There is a long tradition of glove making in Ashton Keynes, which probably developed because of the growth of the woollen industry and tanning which made available a good supply of leather. In the 19th century many cottagers were outworkers for a Cricklade factory.
The trade directories show that all the trades needed by the villagers from the late 19th century were present. There were grocers, bakers, butchers, boot and shoe makers, tailors, innkeepers and a blacksmith. The local carrier would take you to Cirencester and transport goods and packages between the two places.
Like many others, this village would have been mostly self sufficient until the mid-20th century. It was mostly a farming community, providing food for the needs of the village. There were also a small number of tradesmen. The 1851 census records 122 agricultural labourers; second in this list are the 55 glovers. There is a long tradition of glove making in Ashton Keynes, which probably developed because of the growth of the woollen industry and tanning which made available a good supply of leather. In the 19th century many cottagers were outworkers for a Cricklade factory.
The trade directories show that all the trades needed by the villagers from the late 19th century were present. There were grocers, bakers, butchers, boot and shoe makers, tailors, innkeepers and a blacksmith. The local carrier would take you to Cirencester and transport goods and packages between the two places.
The Domesday population of Ashton Keynes was approximately 200. By 1801 it was 764, continuing to rise until reaching its first peak of 1070 in 1861. After falling to 744 in the 1920s, it has again risen steadily, reaching 1420 in 2001. The last 30 years of the 20th century have seen a 50% growth, and the number of houses is now over 500 compared with 400 in the 1970s. Two blocks of fields have been used for post-war housing developments, and some in-filling has taken place within the village.
Until the late 19th century flooding was a major problem. In 1851 the villagers signed a petition requesting a Public Health inspection. The resulting report drew attention to the village's location, with a river flowing outside the gates of several houses, and the fact that the soil was almost always damp. Surface drainage was poor and the wells were shallow, resulting in the villagers having to use contaminated water. The Inspector noted that the villagers could do much to help themselves. He called a public meeting, stating that if 3/5ths of the rate payers agreed, the necessary work could be done and paid for out of the poor rate.
Until the late 19th century flooding was a major problem. In 1851 the villagers signed a petition requesting a Public Health inspection. The resulting report drew attention to the village's location, with a river flowing outside the gates of several houses, and the fact that the soil was almost always damp. Surface drainage was poor and the wells were shallow, resulting in the villagers having to use contaminated water. The Inspector noted that the villagers could do much to help themselves. He called a public meeting, stating that if 3/5ths of the rate payers agreed, the necessary work could be done and paid for out of the poor rate.
There is no record of a doctor having lived and practised in the village. People who needed a doctor usually went to Cricklade. Various Friendly Societies existed to which people paid small weekly contributions. This entitled them to sickness benefit and admission to hospital if necessary. Each year Society members organised a fund-raising day to help Cirencester Hospital.
The major change in the community during the 20th century has been gravel extraction. This industry began in the early part of the century, when the gravel was used to make concrete. Many men who had previously been employed in agriculture worked on excavating the area that is now the Cotswold Water Park. In 1939 there were 14 acres of water in the area. Today, after extracting 15 million tons of gravel, there are 150 acres of lakes.
Life in the early 20th century was hard. Most of the cottagers in the village were concerned with glove-making. Young girls had to help when they arrived home from school, often staying up until midnight to finish their task. During the Second World War American soldiers were stationed in the village and households took in evacuees. The villagers organised dances and shows to entertain them. In the 1950s 'The Horse and Jockey' public house was a popular meeting place. In 1953 a skittle alley was opened and in the 1960s an 18 hole putting green.
The major change in the community during the 20th century has been gravel extraction. This industry began in the early part of the century, when the gravel was used to make concrete. Many men who had previously been employed in agriculture worked on excavating the area that is now the Cotswold Water Park. In 1939 there were 14 acres of water in the area. Today, after extracting 15 million tons of gravel, there are 150 acres of lakes.
Life in the early 20th century was hard. Most of the cottagers in the village were concerned with glove-making. Young girls had to help when they arrived home from school, often staying up until midnight to finish their task. During the Second World War American soldiers were stationed in the village and households took in evacuees. The villagers organised dances and shows to entertain them. In the 1950s 'The Horse and Jockey' public house was a popular meeting place. In 1953 a skittle alley was opened and in the 1960s an 18 hole putting green.
The Ashton Keynes village website shows that this is a vibrant community with plenty of groups and activities for all ages. There is a village hall, sports field and playing fields. To celebrate the millennium, the village produced a book listing the people, dwellings, organisations and businesses present at the turn of the century. Reading the many comments by individuals, it is evident that Ashton Keynes is a lively, friendly and happy village in which to live.