Ashton, Devon

Last updated

Higher Ashton
Cottages, Higher Ashton - geograph.org.uk - 1391529.jpg
Cottages viewed from the graveyard of the church of St John the Baptist
Devon UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Higher Ashton
Location within Devon
Population203 (2011 Census)
Civil parish
  • Ashton
District
  • Teignbridge
Shire county
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town Exeter
Postcode district EX6
Police Devon and Cornwall
Fire Devon and Somerset
Ambulance South Western
List of places
UK
England
Devon
50°39′00″N3°37′00″W / 50.65°N 3.616667°W / 50.65; -3.616667 Coordinates: 50°39′00″N3°37′00″W / 50.65°N 3.616667°W / 50.65; -3.616667
Total population of Ashton civil parish, Devon, as reported by the Census of Population from 1801 to 2011. Ashton population time series 1801-2011.jpg
Total population of Ashton civil parish, Devon, as reported by the Census of Population from 1801 to 2011.
Outside view of St John the Baptist's church St John the Baptist, Higher Ashton, Devon - geograph.org.uk - 1731733.jpg
Outside view of St John the Baptist's church
Historical map exert from 1809 Ordnance Survey map of Ashton Survey map.PNG
Historical map exert from 1809 Ordnance Survey map of Ashton

Ashton is a civil parish in the Teignbridge district of Devon, England. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 174, and it had a population of 203 according to the 2011 census. [1] The parish consists of two villages, Higher Ashton and Lower Ashton, and is on the edge of the Dartmoor National Park. The France Brook flows through most of Ashton just south of its main road, and along Ashton's eastern boundary flows the River Teign. The parish is located approximately 13 km north of Newton Abbot, and roughly 10 km to the south west of its nearest city, Exeter. [2] Historically, Ashton has primarily been based inside the agricultural sector, [3] but one of its most notifiable landmarks is the St John the Baptists church located in the Higher Ashton district. [4]

Contents

In 1887, John Bartholomew's Gazetteer of the British Isles described Ashton as:

"Ashton, par. with ry. sta., E. Devon, 4 miles N. of Chudleigh, 1709 ac., pop. 195." [5]

History

The manor was long the seat of the Chudleigh family, from about 1320 to 1745, [6] which originated at the manor of Chudleigh, [7] 3 miles south of Ashton, and for which was created the Chudleigh baronetcy in 1622. It was Sir George Chudleigh who was the 1st Baronet during the English Civil War and sided with Parliament first and then with the Royalists later on. Ashton became the birthplace of a long line of Chudleigh family members. [8]

Geography

In relation to London, Ashton is approximately 176 miles to the south west. [9] Typically, Ashton's height above sea level is around 100m, [10] but this varies as along the main road the elevation is lower in general. The majority of urban land in Ashton lies near to the France Brook river through the middle of Ashton, but directly north and south of the main road that follows the river are two small hills of elevated land. [11] The majority of the geology of the land is built up from permian breccias, sandstones and volcanics, but small amounts of greensand and gault can also be found nearby. [12] Most of Ashton's residential land is located in the Lower Ashton area, near or behind the Manor Inn, but the church, great barn and a few cottages are located in Higher Ashton. [13]

Demography

According to the census reports for Ashton, the largest increase in population since 1801 occurred in 1831 with an increase of population of 75 over the previous 10 years. The largest decline in population occurred over a timescale of 30 years with a total population 165 people less than the last report 30 years beforehand. [14] The gender ratios have stayed almost consistent since 1801, with the number of males generally 10-20% higher than that of the female residence. Anomalies to this pattern include the year 1801, where the number of males was 111, yet the number of females was nearly half that at 65. The only years where there has been a greater number of female residents are 1881 by a value of 1, and 1951 by a value of 7. [15] The reported area of the parish in acres has expanded with time starting at 1,560 in 1831 and increasing to 1,709 by 1851. By 1891 this changed to a value of 2,182 and since stayed constant through to 1961. [16]

Economy

Historically, Ashton appears to have primarily been an agriculturally focused area as according to the 1831 census the number of males over 20 in labor based occupation was 41, [17] and the number of males defined under Middling sorts was 27, which covers 76.40% of the overall male population over 20 that was in occupation at the time. At this time, Middling sorts was defined as middle class, normally small scale farmers not employing their own workers or those with the skills of manufacturing or handcrafting. However, since the census data for occupational categories shows us that 57 workers were into agriculture and 15 into handicraft [18] and there has only been records of farmhouses and large areas of farmland on the land of Ashton it is most likely that these middle class workers owned their own farmland. The record of 21 employers and professionals in Ashton in 1831 [19] therefore were most likely upper class land owners employing the laborers to work the land.

According to the 1881 census of occupational structure, 72% or 39 out of 54 males were working in agriculture which largely dominated the workforce of Ashton, with the next highest category workers in mineral substances at 5 male workers. [20] For the female occupational structure of Ashton at this time, 76% or 44 out of 58 females were unemployed, with the next highest category being domestic services or offices with 9 female workers. [21]

Bar chart showing the numbers of male and female occupants into different classes of occupation in 1881 in Ashton Occupational Structure of 1881 in Ashton.jpg
Bar chart showing the numbers of male and female occupants into different classes of occupation in 1881 in Ashton

Currently in Ashton according to the 2011 census, the amount of those of working age between 16 and 74 in employment is 101 people. [22] Of these, only 18 are classed as managers, directors or senior officials. 29 people are in to professional occupations covering health, teaching, business, media and work in the public sector. Only 15 people are classified as working in skilled trade, and only 9 of these people are in agricultural based work. [23] In direct comparison to the 1831 census it is clear to see Ashton has broken away from its agricultural background and has become much more balanced in its economy.

Landmarks

Approximately 140m east of the church is The Great Barn of Devon. [24] The structure itself is approximately 23 meters long and 7 meters wide, [25] and whilst no longer used for any agricultural purposes the barn does provide a social aspect for the community and nearby locations as now its primary function is hosting wedding ceremonies. The barn was previously derelict and it wasn't until September 2004 that the barn was reconstructed through private business investments. [26] Just under a kilometer east down the road small businesses such as Oxen Park Farm and Cunnington D&A post office can be found in the district of Lower Ashton, and like the Great Barn the Manor inn has only been recently constructed in June 2008, [27] again from independent investment suggesting that local businesses in Ashton have been growing slowly since 2000.

Related Research Articles

Woodlands, Dorset Human settlement in England

Woodlands is a village and civil parish in the East Dorset district of Dorset, South-West England. It is five miles (8 km) north of Wimborne Minster. Horton Road is the main road going through the parish.

Toseland, Cambridgeshire Human settlement in England

Toseland is a village and civil parish in Cambridgeshire, England. The name Toseland is Scandinavian and has connections to the Old Norse word 'lunde' translated as a type of sacred or small wood. The parish is neighbours with nearby parishes within Cambridgeshire such as Yelling, Gravely, Great Paxton and St Agnes.

Beeby Village and civil parish in the Charnwood district of Leicestershire, England

Beeby is a village and civil parish in the Charnwood district of Leicestershire, England, with a population of 115 according to the 2011 census. It is situated north-east of Leicester, nearer to the villages of Keyham and Hungarton in the neighbouring district of Harborough and lies along the Barkby Brook. This small rural hamlet can be succinctly described as "a series of scattered houses that remain of the shrunken medieval village". The parish also includes the hamlet of Little Beeby, which consists of several houses within the settlement and is located 200m south east of the All Saints Church.

Rickinghall Inferior Human settlement in England

Rickinghall Inferior is a civil parish in the Mid Suffolk district of Suffolk, England. According to the 2011 census there were 233 males and 216 females in this civil parish, for a total population of 449. It includes the western part of the village of Rickinghall and is adjacent to the village and parish of Wattisfield. The old road from the market town of Bury. St Edmunds to the City of Norwich and the town of Great Yarmouth passes through the centre of the village but the new road, the A143, uses a by-pass to the East.

Ripple, Kent Human settlement in England

Ripple, also known as 'Ripple Vale', is a village and civil parish in the Dover District of Kent, England.

Sundridge with Ide Hill Human settlement in England

Sundridge and Ide Hill is a civil parish in the Sevenoaks District of Kent, England. It is located in the Darenth valley and lies between Sevenoaks and Westerham. The parish contains the villages of Sundridge and Ide Hill and the hamlet of Goathurst Common. It lies within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and within London’s Metropolitan Green Belt. It is approximately 21 miles south of London.

Parham, Suffolk Village and civil parish in Suffolk, England

Parham is a village and civil parish in the East Suffolk district of Suffolk in eastern England. Located seven miles north of Woodbridge, in 2005 it had a population of 300, reducing to 263 at the 2011 census and according to the 2011 census there were 129 males and 134 females living at this time.

Oakford, Devon Human settlement in England

Oakford is a village and civil parish in the Mid Devon district of Devon, England. It is located three miles (5 km) south west of Bampton and eight miles (13 km) north north west of Tiverton. Oakford is near the river Exe.

Tingrith Human settlement in England

Tingrith is a small village and civil parish in Bedfordshire, England. It is located adjacent to the M1 motorway near the large village of Toddington. The nearest major town is Luton, located about 10 miles (16 km) to the southeast. The parish church of St Nicholas dates back to the 13th century and has Tingrith's only cemetery. The church can seat up to 200 people.

Gayton, Staffordshire Human settlement in England

Gayton is a small rural village and civil parish in Staffordshire, located approximately 1 mile from the A51 between Stone and Stafford. In 2001 it had 167 residents, with 1 letter box, one bus stop, and new village hall. The post box is owned now by the village as is the telephone booth. The post code for Gayton properties normally start with ST18.

Hunton, Kent Human settlement in England

Hunton is a civil parish and village near the town of Maidstone in Kent, England.

Buttsbury Human settlement in England

Buttsbury is a village and former 2,079-acre (8.4 km2) civil parish in the Chelmsford district of Essex, England, a contraction of Botulph's Pirie, a major saint who died in 680. It is sometimes surmised that the name refers to a tree under which St Botolph preached. The civil parish was merged into Stock in 1936. In 1931 the civil parish had a population of 1709.

Ousden Human settlement in England

Ousden is a village and civil parish in the West Suffolk district of Suffolk in eastern England. It is located around six miles west of Bury St Edmunds and 72 miles north of London, and as of 2011, its population is 266. The village has an Anglican church of St Peter's and a chapel in the cemetery dedicated to St Barnabas.

Long Marton Human settlement in England

Long Marton is a village and civil parish in the Eden District of the English county of Cumbria. In 2011 the population was 827.

Swilland Human settlement in England

Swilland is a village and civil parish, in the East Suffolk district, in the English county of Suffolk. It is north of the large town of Ipswich. Swilland has a church called St Mary's Church and a pub called The Moon & Mushroom Inn which has been awarded Suffolk Pub of The Year on two occasions by the Evening Star. Swilland shares a parish council with Witnesham called "Swilland and Witnesham Grouped Parish Council".

Twinstead Human settlement in England

Twinstead is a village and a civil parish in the Braintree District, in the English county of Essex. It was once part of the Hinckford Hundred, which is a subdivision of a county and has its own court. In the 1870s, Twinstead was described as:

Huntingfield, Suffolk Human settlement in England

Huntingfield is a village near the B1117 road, in the East Suffolk district, in the county of Suffolk, England. The village is close to the source of the River Blyth and the parish is 12 miles from the seaside town of Southwold. Nearby settlements include the town of Halesworth and the villages of Walpole, Heveningham, Cookley and Laxfield.

Great Henny Human settlement in England

Great Henny is a village and civil parish near Sudbury, in the Braintree district, in the county of Essex, England. Nearby settlements include the villages of Little Henny and Twinstead. The hamlet of Henny Street, within the parish, is on the River Stour which forms the parish's eastern border.

Henstead Human settlement in England

Henstead is a village near Kessingland and the A12 in the civil parish of Henstead with Hulver Street, in the county of Suffolk, England. It has a church called Church of St Mary which is a Grade I listed building. It has very few housing areas, and is a rural area. It is situated near Rushmere.

Poughill, Devon Human settlement in England

Poughill is a village and civil parish in Devon, England. It lies 5 miles (8 km) north of Crediton. In 2011, the parish had a population of 216.

References

  1. ↑ "Ashton (Parish): Key Figures for 2011 Census: Key statistics". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  2. ↑ "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  3. ↑ "Ashton CP/AP through time | Industry Statistics | Occupation data classified into the 24 1881 'Orders', plus sex". www.visionofbritain.org.uk. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  4. ↑ "Ashton/last=services,devlibs@devon.gov.uk/first=education, arts and libraries directorate - devon library and information/website=www.devon.gov.uk/language=en-gb/access-date=2016-03-22".
  5. ↑ Bartholomew, John (1887). Gazetteer of the British Isles (1st ed.). Edinburgh: Bartholomew.
  6. ↑ Good Stuff (11 November 1952). "Place Barton - Ashton - Devon - England". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  7. ↑ Pole, p.260
  8. ↑ "Lt-Gen Sir George Chudleigh, MP, 1st Baronet of Ashton". geni_family_tree. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  9. ↑ "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  10. ↑ "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  11. ↑ "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  12. ↑ access,environment@devon.gov.uk, environment directorate - countryside and. "Devon's Rocks - A Geological Guide". www.devon.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  13. ↑ "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  14. ↑ "Ashton CP/AP through time: Population Statistics: Population Change". www.visionofbritain.org.uk. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  15. ↑ "Ashton CP/AP through time: Population Statistics: Males and Females". www.visionofbritain.org.uk. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  16. ↑ "Ashton CP/AP through time: Population Statistics: Area (acres)". www.visionofbritain.org.uk. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  17. ↑ "Ashton CP/AP through time | Social Structure Statistics | Social Status, based on 1831 occupational statistics". www.visionofbritain.org.uk. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  18. ↑ "Ashton CP/AP through time | Industry Statistics | Males aged 20 & over, in four industrial categories". www.visionofbritain.org.uk. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  19. ↑ "Ashton CP/AP through time | Social Structure Statistics | Social Status, based on 1831 occupational statistics". www.visionofbritain.org.uk. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  20. ↑ "Ashton CP/AP through time | Industry Statistics | Occupation data classified into the 24 1881 'Orders', plus sex". www.visionofbritain.org.uk. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  21. ↑ "Ashton CP/AP through time | Industry Statistics | Occupation data classified into the 24 1881 'Orders', plus sex". www.visionofbritain.org.uk. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  22. ↑ Sillitoe, Neighbourhood Statistics - Neil. "Detect browser settings". www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  23. ↑ Sillitoe, Neighbourhood Statistics - Neil. "Detect browser settings". www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  24. ↑ "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  25. ↑ "Wedding Venues Devon | Civil Ceremonies | Wedding Venues near Exeter | Wedding Venues In Devon | Unusual Wedding Venues | The Great Barn Devon". Devon Weddings, Wedding Venues in Devon, Devon Wedding Venues, Weddings in Devon, Barn Weddings Devon | The Great Barn Devon. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  26. ↑ "About Us |The Great Barn Devon | Devon Wedding Venue". Devon Weddings, Wedding Venues in Devon, Devon Wedding Venues, Weddings in Devon, Barn Weddings Devon | The Great Barn Devon. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  27. ↑ "The Manor Inn Restaurant & Pub Lower Ashton Exeter Devon | Restaurants and Pubs Exeter & Newton Abbot Devon". manorinn.co.uk. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.