Letters or Articles for A.V.N. to David & Delia Farrand, 20 Hartwell Road Telephone 863225Whilst every care is taken regarding the issue of this newsletter, the Editors accept no liability for the accuracy of

the contributions

Useful Contacts

Parish Council Chairman - Bernard Day 862383Parish Council Clerk - Ginny Wareham 864463Ashton District Councillor - Martin Wilson 864254Footpath Warden - Jeremy Roychoudhury 864306

Towcester Police Station Western Area 01327 300300Police Community Support Officer - Tara Cooksammy

Direct line 01327 303228 Mobile 07919 043778E-mail - tara.cooksammy@northants.police.uk

Village Internet Site - www.ashtonvillage.co.ukNeighbourhood Watch - David Farrand 863225

ASHTONVillage News

Issue 108March 2009

www.ashtonvillage.co.uk For more about Ashton's News, events etc.

~DamZels~

A non religious, non political,non charitable group for women

Meeting onMonday 2nd March

8pm ~ 10pm

and every first Monday of the monthat

The Knights Hall, St. Michael and All Angels Church, Ashton

Meetings are held once a month forFun, Friendship & Escape!

In essence, relax among new friends & conquer new frontiers

Beauty matters ~ Health & Nutrition ~ Arts & Crafts ~ Ladies Days & Nights out,Topics of group interest ~ Guest Speakers & much more!

For more information contact: Yvonne Hardman ~ 07879 493212E-mail Julie James at Joolzjames@aol.com

We are holding an Ashton Playground Group Meetingon Thursday 19th March 8pm at the Old Crown . All arewelcome to discuss the plans/ opportunities for a villageplayground Contact Yvonne Hardman on 01604 862 628for more details

Ashton Playground Group

Coffee MorningThursday 12 March at Broadacres, Roade Hill

(courtesy of Marion Wilson)10.30am to 12 noon

* Bring and Buy, Cakes, Raffle, Friends and Conversation * All proceeds in aid of Church Funds

* The Draw for the 50/50 club will take place * Everybody welcome

Tower Captain

It was with much sadness that the bell ringers of Roade and Ashton had to accept theresignation of Mrs Jean Tipler as Tower Captain of Roade. Jean learned to ring bells inPaulerspury when she was just 12 years old. She was taught by her uncle, and went onto teach many others to ring, both in Roade and Ashton. During her time as captain,Jean has rung for weddings, funerals and many other special occasions as well as forSunday services. It is due to her dedication and commitment that the bells are still rungregularly in Roade and for weddings and events in Ashton. She will be sorely missed.We would like to wish Jean a happy and healthy retirement.

Marion Wilson

The draw for the 50/50 Club took placeon 18 February 2009.

There were 35 ticket holders.

* 1st Prize was £46.25 Peter Costello ( Roade ) * 2nd Prize was £26.25 Marion Wilson ( Ashton ) * 3rd prize was £8.75 Peter Mac Alear ( Roade )

£ 9.25 was retained for the Christmas Drawwhich is now standing at £ 17.00

£ 92.50 was donated to the ChurchHelp us raise funds for the Church

This beautiful photograph taken by MylesSkinner of Ashton's St Michael and AllAngels church is available as a high qualityprint for £5. Size is approximately A4( 295 x 210 mm ). Profits to Church FundsFor more information contact:Andrew Fowler 01604 862904andrew.fowler@ashtonvillage.co.ukMarion Wilson 01604 864254marion.wilson@ashtonvillage.co.uk

Hidden Skills in Ashton -- Part 2

Thank you to everybody who has shown aninterest in helping to create a commemorativebanner to hang in the new Knight's Hall.

The very snowy weather played havoc with the originally planned meetings, but we areslowly moving forward with the final design.

What we need now is people to submit any photographs, sketches, paintings etc, of thingsyou find symbolic of Ashton. eg. The Lychgate, The Crown Pub sign, etc. These would beused in some way to be incorporated in the banner design.

We really need your help and would be grateful if you could deliver these to Helena Lee, 37Stoke Road, by March 20th.

Bronwen Kenny 01604 864 914

Stability at last in The Old Crown

Bex and Ian have taken over The Old Crown and are here tostay.

We plan to make the village our home and The Old Crown thecenter of the village again. We have been overwhelmed andencouraged at the welcome we have received in our first weekand apart from the usual problems of moving house and theunusual problems of taking on a new business we are reallyhappy to be here and excited at the prospect of running amuch loved village pub.

We apologise to any of you who have tried to contact us by phone but we are having abattle Royal with British Telecom and hope to be back on line as soon as possible.

CheersBex and Ian Street

Ashton School has had a very busy term since Christmaswith the junior class visiting Northampton Museum to supporttheir work on Vikings and both classes participating incomposting workshops. Children from years 2 to 6 took partin an athletics festival at Roade Sports College and althoughwe came last against a strong field of years 5 and 6 fromother schools in the cluster we have some very promisingathletes in the making.

At half term a smartboard was installed in the junior classroom and computer facilitiesupgraded in the infants. A summerhouse was built in the foundation stage outside area.

ASPA held a pancake flip on Shrove Tuesday with money raised being split between achild we sponsor in Africa and Willen Hospice.

Sue Campbell

Ashton School News

* Washing Machines * Tumble Dryers * Dishwashers

* Cooker Repairs

01604 863 086info@domesticdale.co.uk

Ashton Family History Roots Weekend 17-19 July 2009

Old Photo's, Maps or Documents:

Have you got any old photo's, maps or documents thatshow Ashton and it's people that we can use for the villagehistory weekend. Have you a family tree which shows yourdescendants living in Ashton or the surrounding villages.All documents will be scanned and return to you so thatthe originals do not get damaged. Please help us to findsome history of the village and it's people.

Roots Weekend Volunteers:

As part of the re-ordering of the church a village roots weekend isbeing held in July and we are organising a weekend of events forall ages. A steering committee will do a lot of the work, however,we are looking for volunteers to assist over the weekend can youspare some time to help with some of the events or stalls

Calling all photographers young and old:

At the Roots weekend in July, a photographic competitionwill be held. The title of the competition is "History in theMaking". Anyone may enter and there will be three age groupswith a prize for each winner, Primary school age, Secondaryschool age, and Adult . We would like pictures of any aspectof life in Ashton as it is now. It could be of people, buildings,gardens,wild flowers, traffic, school, trains going through. Thelist is endless. Do you think these things may have changedin 10 years time? Record them on your camera, make sureyou take a note of when and where the photo was taken, andenter them in the competition. More details will follow in theShare and Ashton Village News. You do not need to live in Ashton to take part. Just makea record of how village life is in 2009.

Did you marry in Ashton Church:

At the Roots weekend in July, we would like to hold aphotographic display of people who married in the church canyou let us have a your photo and we will take a copy for thedisplay and return the original to you.

If you can help with any of the above,please get in touch with:

Andrew 01604 862904 andrew.fowler@ashtonvillage.co.uk orMarion 01604 864254 marion.wilson@ashtonvillage.co.uk

Your Village needs your helpAshton Family History Roots Weekend 17-19 July 2009

Old Photo's, Maps or Documents:

Have you got any old photos, maps or documents thatshow Ashton and it's people that we can use for the villagehistory weekend. Have you a family tree which shows yourdescendants living in Ashton or the surrounding villages.All documents will be scanned and return to you so thatthe originals do not get damaged. Please help us to findsome history of the village and it's people.

Roots Weekend Volunteers:

As part of the re-ordering of the church a village roots weekend isbeing held in July and we are organising a weekend of events forall ages. A steering committee will do a lot of the work, however,we are looking for volunteers to assist over the weekend can youspare some time to help with some of the events or stalls

Calling all photographers young and old:

At the Roots weekend in July, a photographic competitionwill be held. The title of the competition is "History in theMaking". Anyone may enter and there will be three age groupswith a prize for each winner, Primary school age, Secondaryschool age, and Adult . We would like pictures of any aspectof life in Ashton as it is now. It could be of people, buildings,gardens,wild flowers, traffic, school, trains going through. Thelist is endless. Do you think these things may have changedin 10 years time? Record them on your camera, make sureyou take a note of when and where the photo was taken, andenter them in the competition. More details will follow in theShare and Ashton Village News. You do not need to live in Ashton to take part. Just makea record of how village life is in 2009.

Did you marry in Ashton Church:

At the Roots weekend in July, we would like to hold aphotographic display of people who married in the church canyou let us have a your photo and we will take a copy for thedisplay and return the original to you.

If you can help with any of the above,please get in touch with:

Andrew 01604 862904 andrew.fowler@ashtonvillage.co.uk orMarion 01604 864254 marion.wilson@ashtonvillage.co.uk

Your Village needs your help