Aston, Oxfordshire

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Aston's war memorial

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

[edit] St James church

St. James Church, Aston

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.

[edit] 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 sprang up around it over 3000 years ago. Outlines of the town roads and housing banks can still be made out in the earth just in front of the church, as the land makes its way down to the river where many village life activities would have taken place.

From the ancient Bronze Age preaching cross which still stands in front of the church doors it becomes clear why this location was chosen for settlement. Protected by the river in front, defenders could have seen a threat coming from a long distance as it is possible to see the rise in the land which runs from Newbridge, just south of Standlake in the east, right along the Ridgeway past Buckland and away towards Tadpole Bridge in the west.