Ashurst Wood
| Ashurst Wood | |
| Sussex | |
|---|---|
| |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TQ419365 |
| Location: | 51°6’40"N, -0°1’37"E |
| Data | |
| Population: | 1,771 (2011) |
| Post town: | East Grinstead |
| Postcode: | RH19 |
| Dialling code: | 01342 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Mid Sussex |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Mid Sussex |
| Website: | Ashurst Wood Village Council |
Ashurst Wood is a village in Sussex, a mile south-east of East Grinstead in the very north of the county, just off the A22 arterial road. In 2001, the population was 1,771, increasing to 1,833 at the 2011 Census.
Ashurst Wood is within the ‘High Weald Area of Natural Beauty’ and has an SSSI inside its boundaries.[1]
The village has a history of agriculture and farming, and contains a church, village hall, primary school, two public houses, a general shop, post office and several small business premises. There is an independent school on the boundary of the village, called Brambletye School, and a former one, Stoke Brunswick School (the former junior school of a Prime Minister, Winston Churchill), which closed in 2009.[2]
History
The date of when the village was formed is not known. Two of the main roads in the village and Lewes Road (now part of the A22) were used as a ridge-way track for animals and people 5,000 years ago.[3] There is evidence of a Roman ironworks in the village.
By 1066, the area had two established farms, the tracks between them are still in use today as roads.[4] The name of Ashurst Wood dates back to 1164 when the region was known as Aesehyrst Wilde. There was no village then and the name was used for a common area.[5] During the reign of Henry II, the area that is now Ashurst Wood was called, Esseherst. The names Aisherst, Askhurst and Eseherst were in use in the years 1186, 1248 and 1279 respectively. Around 1300 a house was built, part of which remains as the Headmaster's drawing room in Stoke Brunswick School,[6] and has been designated as a grade II* listed building.[7]
By the time of the reign of Elizabeth I, Ashurst Wood had prosperous farms, with Water Farmhouse being built in the 16th century,[8] Great Surries dating from the 17th century,[9] and its barn being slightly more recent.[10]
The population grew and more houses were built in the village. In 1855, nearby East Grinstead was connected to London by rail, and another rail connection to the area in 1884 meant that Ashurst Wood was more accessible. Many wealthy people bought property in the area and this provided work other than that of the agricultural type.[11]
Modern history
The village school began in new premises built for 240 children on 30 September 1910. It is still in use as the primary school. During First World War, village efforts to help the war included making sandbags to be sent to the front.[12] In 1931, construction was complete on St Dunstan's Hall, which is now the Village Centre. The hall was immediately put to good use for many activities by villagers.
Ashurst Wood experienced Second World War first hand with bullets from planes hitting the school. Dogfights were regularly seen in the skies above and around the village, and buildings that used to be part of Stoke Brunswick School were used for nursing allied airmen. In 1944, the village was hit by a series of V-1 flying bombs, Doodlebugs, leaving craters that are still visible today.[13] Since the Second World War, the village has been expanded by suburban development.[14]
In 1979, the old United Reformed Church in the village was converted into the new, and current, St Dunstan's Church, in the Church of England.
Sport and recreation
The John Pears Recreation Field and The Recreation Ground are the two recreational fields in Ashurst Wood. John Pears Recreation Field became council property when it was donated by local resident Mrs Pears as a memorial to her husband. The land covers just over two hectares and contains a pavilion, barbecue for public use, a tennis area, fenced-off play area and a basketball hoop. The field is maintained by the local council. In 2003 the pavilion was burnt down in an act of arson. After, fundraising anew pavilion was built, completed in 2005[15] and opened on 2 June.[16]
In recent years the field has been used for "Ashstock", the annual village beer and music festival featuring local youth talent and real ale.[17]
The other recreational field known locally as The Rec.
- Football: Ashurst Wood F.C., plays its home games at the Rec
The Ashurst Wood Village Centre[18] is a village hall which hosts dance, carpet bowls and the annual Christmas Market and Village Meeting. A recent addition to the Village Centre is the Ashurst Wood Village Council Offices and Meeting Room.[citation needed]
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Ashurst Wood) |
References
- ↑ SSSI listing and designation for Mills Rocks
- ↑ Ashdown, Sue (May 2000). Ashurst Wood in the Twentieth Century. Ashurst Wood Historians. p. 99.
- ↑ Margary, I.D. Sussex Notes and Queries. p. 62.
- ↑ Ashurst Wood 1086–1986. Ashurst Wood Historians. 1986. p. 4.
- ↑ Ashurst Wood Historians (2002). "About Ashurst Wood". Ashurst Wood Parish Council. http://www.visionwebsites.co.uk/Contents/Text/Index.asp?SiteId=316&SiteExtra=10342578&TopNavId=677&NavSideId=5822.
- ↑ Ashurst Wood 1086–1986. Ashurst Wood Historians. 1986. p. 7.
- ↑ National Heritage List 1191682: Homestall Lodge (Stoke Brunswick School) (Grade II* listing)
- ↑ National Heritage List 1353502: Water Farmhouse (Grade @ listing)
- ↑ National Heritage List 1191655: Great Surries (Grade @ listing)
- ↑ National Heritage List 1028404: Barn to south of Great Surries (Grade @ listing)
- ↑ Ashurst Wood 1086–1986. Ashurst Wood Historians. 1986. pp. 8–9.
- ↑ Hopkins, Anne; Taylor, Tom (May 2000). Ashurst Wood in the Twentieth Century. Ashurst Wood Historians. pp. 15–23.
- ↑ Hopkins, Anne; Taylor, Tom (May 2000). Ashurst Wood in the Twentieth Century. Ashurst Wood Historians. pp. 49–59.
- ↑ "Landscape Character Area 6 High Weald". MidSussex Council. http://www.midsussex.gov.uk/Nimoi/sites/msdcpublic/resources/LCA10pt3CA06HighWeald.pdf.
- ↑ Garret, Glenn (7 July 2005). "New pavilion officially opens (subscription required)". East Grinstead Courier. http://moreresults.factiva.com/results/index/index.aspx?ref=EAGRIN0020050708e1770000g.
- ↑ Ashurst Wood Parish Council. "John Pears Pavilion and Tennis Courts". http://www.visionwebsites.co.uk/Contents/Text/Index.asp?SiteId=316&SiteExtra=10342578&TopNavId=677&NavSideId=3481.
- ↑ "Ashstock +". http://www.ashurstwood-vc.gov.uk/past-events/ashstock-2014/.
- ↑ "Ashurst Wood Village Centre". http://www.ashurstwood-vc.gov.uk/village-stuff/ashurst-wood-village-centre/.