Ashill, Norfolk
| Ashill | |
|---|---|
 St Nicholas Church, Ashill |
|
 Ashill
|
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| Ashill shown within Norfolk | |
| Area | 12.26 km2 (4.73 sq mi) |
| Population | 1,426 (2001 census) 1,411 (2011)) |
| • Density | 116/km2 (300/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | TF885041 |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | THETFORD |
| Postcode district | IP25 |
| Police | Norfolk |
| Fire | Norfolk |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament | |
| Website | http://www.ashill.org/ |
Ashill (pronounce Ash-ull [1]) is a village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. The village is between Watton and Swaffham.
The civil parish has an area of 12.26 square kilometres and in the 2001 census had a population of 1,426 in 634 households. For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the district of Breckland.
Ashill was originally called Asleigh, which meant a clearing in the Ash wood. The parish church of St Nicholas dates from the 14th century and stands close to the group of houses that form the oldest part of the village. The village centres on the green and a duck pond. Drovers travelling to Swaffham market would stay overnight on the green, using a shed as accommodation, whilst their cattle grazed on the green and drank from the pond.
The original school was built using funds from Rev. Bartholomew Edwards and opened in 1848. Bartholomew was the longest-serving incumbent of a single parish, totalling 76 years in Ashill, from 1813 to 1889. The National Society for Promoting Religious Education built an adjoining classroom and school house in 1876 and the school name was changed to Ashill National School. The school house was taken over by Norfolk Education committee in 1957, however, this was subsequently sold on again in 1979. It is now the headquarters for the local St John Ambulance division. The present school building, housing Ashill Voluntary Controlled Primary School, was opened by the Bishop of Lynn, The Right Reverend David Bentley, in 1989 and caters for 119 pupils.
Although the local Post Office is now closed, there is a new general store in the village providing general groceries and convenience items. Opening from early morning to late in the evening, this is the only shop actively trading.
The Community Centre complex was completed in the 1970s and provides Ashill with a main event hall, with a large grassed playing field for sporting activities. The Village Aid's Call-in centre was converted from the village coal store next to the pond and operates as a drop-in centre for the local community. Allotments are available from the Parish Council for a moderate rent. Ashill has facilities that cater for a wide age-range from a Toddlers club, the bowls club (indoor and outdoor) at the Old Hall Leisure Centre, (which also has a fully licensed function suite and two bars) up to The Lodge Care Home for the elderly. The old White Hart public house has had a complete makeover and is now under new management - "McTaggarts" provides a welcome addition to village life.
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