Aston, Oxfordshire

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Aston is a village in the West Oxfordshire district of Oxfordshire in England. According to the 2001 census the parish had a population of 1,264. The southern border of the parish is the River Thames. The village is part of the civil parish of Aston, Cote, Shifford and Chimney.

Location

Lat: 51:43:27N (51.7243)

Lon: 1:30:42W (-1.5117)

Postcode district

OX18 2xx

St James church

This church was built in 1839 with only a low squat tower and one bell. Later a spire and second bell were added. The present six bells were supplied by John Taylor & Co. of Loughborough in 1883, the two original bells being taken in part exchange. Two brass plates in the church commemorate the names of local clergy & churchwardens at the time of the bells' dedication and benefactors who contributed to the cost, the balance of which was raised by public subscription. In 1992 the bells were restored and re-hung by Whites of Appleton following two years of local fund raising.

Pottery

The Pottery was founded in 1990 and now employs 25 people producing over 120 different patterns on 45 different shapes.

Aston's location is one of great historical significance. To the west lies chimney, and its ancient church. The church dates back to anglo saxon times and was the centre point for trade and worship as well as a meeting place for the small hamlet which sprung up around it over 3000 years ago. Out lines of the town roads and housing banks can still be made out in the earth just infront of the church, as the land makes its way down to the river where many village life activitys would have taken place.

From the ancient bronze age preaching cross which still stands infront of the church doors it becomes clear why this location was chose for settlement. Protected by the river infront, defenders could have seen a threat coming from a long distance as it is possible to see the rise in the land which runs newbridge, just south of standlake in the east, right along the ridgeway past buckland and away towards tadpole bridge in the west.

[edit] External links

• Community website
• Aston Pottery
• Map sources for Aston, Oxfordshire