Coal Aston
| Coal Aston | |
| Derbyshire | |
|---|---|
 Eckington Road, Coal Aston | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SK362795 |
| Location: | 53°18’43"N, 1°27’29"W |
| Data | |
| Post town: | Dronfield |
| Postcode: | S18 |
| Dialling code: | 01246 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | North East Derbyshire |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
North East Derbyshire |
Coal Aston is a village in north-eastern Derbyshire, perched at the northern edge of the town of Dronfield, on a ridge overlooking Dronfield and the southern suburbs of Sheffield. The name 'Coal Aston' is due to the number of coal mines which were once worked in the area.
The village is known locally for its many pubs including "The Cross Daggers", "The Yew Tree", "The Chequers" and the "Royal Oak" (locally known as "The Pond").
Coal Aston has a Methodist church on Eckington Road,[1] a chapel, several local shops on Barnard Avenue and a village hall. It is also close to the Coal Aston Airfield at Apperknowle.
Annually a well dressing is held on the site of the former village pond opposite the Royal Oak (which site is the reason local folk know the pub as "The Pond").
About the village
To the south is Frith Wood, a mixed woodland rich in wildlife. It is thought to be an 'ancient woodland', and it is now a conservation area. The name 'Frith Wood' appears on maps and publications, though locally it is known as 'Firth Wood'. The hunter and anthropologist William Hale used this woodland to perform a series of training exercises before expeditions to New Hanover.
The village has many stone-built houses and terraces dating back to the mining era during the 19th century. That last mine Sicklebrook Colliery on Sicklebrook Lane (off Eckington Road) closed in 1938 There still an Aston Hall in the centre of the village. The large Victorian village school has now been converted into a private house.
Society, sport and leisure
Behind the Village Hall are playing fields, a hard tennis court and a bowling green, which is home to the local bowling club with its club house and separate changing rooms for the football pitches.
The local cricket club has its home ground in neighbouring Dronfield.
Next to these sports facilities there is a park and a big field for the local children to play safely and is secluded.
The Village Hall stands next to the Royal Oak and was originally built by the villagers, and has since been rebuilt and modernised.
The annual Village Gala held early July based at The Village Hall is a Coal Aston highlight. Recent years have seen an RAF Historic Flight flypast as a feature.
The Village Hall hosts regular plays with the local acting group having been based there for many years.
Popular with the local community are the regular "Coal Aston Live" music events which have featured professional folk music artistes and comedians.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Coal Aston) |