North Waltham, Steventon, Ashe and Deane History Society

Ashe Church

There has been a church in Ashe since before Domesday (1086), but the present one dates from 800 years later. It replaced the collapsing “curious building” which stood by the manor house pulled down in WWII to provide materials for two farmworkers' semis next to the 1928 farmhouse. All are located above the source of the River Test, along with two former rectories and the old school and cottages built by Rev Thoyts.

George Gilbert Scott designed the new church in 1877. His initial survey suggested that the church dated from 1320-40, but the 1280 coin found in the wall and the 12C piscina suggested it was built on an older site. When Scott found that the east wall had moved, the north wall was leaning, the west wall was dangerous and the “roof in a hopelessly bad state”, he was forced into a total rebuild. He enlarged the church to eliminate the unsightly gallery installed in 1844 to hold a population which had doubled to 170 in 50 years. The whole project was funded by the new rector Rev Frances W Thoyts and his family who contributed the font, lectern, east window and organ we see today.

Enter through the porch added in 1887 into the centre of the church to admire the glass in the windows, regarded as “of national significance”. Charles Kempe produced this “delicately painted and stained grisaille glass”, its wheatsheaf elements a typical design of his major workshop in London. The complete set is broken by a window from 1919 commemorating Admiral Stopford.

Pass through the 15C wooden rood screen into the chancel, which was originally painted. Replastering of the walls in 1938 has left only a fragment of CE Gray's work on the wall opposite the organ. After admiring Kempe's glorious east window, its angels' wings typically of peacock feathers, look below at the altar. The fine wooden carving and embroidered frontal show his complete mastery of late-19C church decoration. The woven fabric by the organ is probably by William Morris, better seen by the electric lights installed in 1951. Behind the organ is the memorial to Richard Russell who "served … every Lord's Day for 42 years” until 1771.

As you return, try to find the concealed robin by the rood screen, carved in memory of a bird nesting during the rebuild. The pulpit was given by the parish and the lectern by the Rev Ernest Thoyts, who was to succeed his lamed brother in 1889. Facing you is Gray's 'Tree of Life' restored by local artist, Rosemary Trollope, in 1981.

To your right are the Lefroy memorials. George mortgaged his living to add a fine Georgian front to his rectory while Anne, his wife, befriended the young Jane Austen and encouraged her writing. Two sons succeeded George as rector, Benjamin marrying Jane's niece, Anna.

Turn left into the churchyard to find Anna near the wall. East of the church are some Beckinghams: James rented Warren Farm from John Portal while Benjamin and George had the manor farm from before 1841; George established Upper Ashe when the brothers divided the farm around 1859, both continuing into the late 1880s. Dr Russell's vault lies under the eastern extension, but Col Robert Portal's gravestone reminds us of his exploits in Crimea and there's even a second Charge of the Light Brigade survivor to the north.

Pass into the upper graveyard area to find later burials. Under the trees planted in 1887/8 are the Boyles of Ashe Park and the Stopfords of the old rectory. Robert Portal gave this land from his Ashe Park estate to be consecrated by the Bishop of Winchester in 1878 at the same time as the new church.

Things have changed since then. Holy Trinity had St Andrew added to its dedication in 1899. Then the Rev Ernest Thoyts had three Sunday services: Holy Communion at mid-day on 1^st and 3^rd and at 8am on 2^nd and 4^th, morning and evening services at 11am and 6pm, with Fridays and Saints’ Days having services and 'catechising' at 11.15am. In 1914, the weekly collection of about £1 was spent on Terry the sexton £1-10-0 qr, the organ blower (his son?) 5/- qr and Mrs Smith (organist?) 1/6 weekly, together with insurance, coal and coke, candles and sacraments and minor repairs. Combined with Deane in 1935 and with North Waltham and Steventon since 1972, Holy Trinity and St Andrews now has just two services a month on alternate Sundays.

For further information, see Richard Tanner "Ashe & Deane" 2011, price £6.99.


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Ashe Church There has been a church in Ashe since before Domesday (1086), but the present one dates from 800 years later. It replaced the collapsing “curious building” which stood by the manor house pulled down in WWII to provide materials for two farmworkers' semis next to the 1928 farmhouse. All are located above the source of the River Test, along with two former rectories and the old school and cottages built by Rev Thoyts. George Gilbert Scott designed the new church in 1877. His initial survey suggested that the church dated from 1320-40, but the 1280 coin found in the wall and the 12C piscina suggested it was built on an older site. When Scott found that the east wall had moved, the north wall was leaning, the west wall was dangerous and the “roof in a hopelessly bad state”, he was forced into a total rebuild. He enlarged the church to eliminate the unsightly gallery installed in 1844 to hold a population which had doubled to 170 in 50 years. The whole project was funded by the new rector Rev Frances W Thoyts and his family who contributed the font, lectern, east window and organ we see today. Enter through the porch added in 1887 into the centre of the church to admire the glass in the windows, regarded as “of national significance”. Charles Kempe produced this “delicately painted and stained grisaille glass”, its wheatsheaf elements a typical design of his major workshop in London. The complete set is broken by a window from 1919 commemorating Admiral Stopford. Pass through the 15C wooden rood screen into the chancel, which was originally painted. Replastering of the walls in 1938 has left only a fragment of CE Gray's work on the wall opposite the organ. After admiring Kempe's glorious east window, its angels' wings typically of peacock feathers, look below at the altar. The fine wooden carving and embroidered frontal show his complete mastery of late-19C church decoration. The woven fabric by the organ is probably by William Morris, better seen by the electric lights installed in 1951. Behind the organ is the memorial to Richard Russell who "served … every Lord's Day for 42 years” until 1771. As you return, try to find the concealed robin by the rood screen, carved in memory of a bird nesting during the rebuild. The pulpit was given by the parish and the lectern by the Rev Ernest Thoyts, who was to succeed his lamed brother in 1889. Facing you is Gray's 'Tree of Life' restored by local artist, Rosemary Trollope, in 1981. To your right are the Lefroy memorials. George mortgaged his living to add a fine Georgian front to his rectory while Anne, his wife, befriended the young Jane Austen and encouraged her writing. Two sons succeeded George as rector, Benjamin marrying Jane's niece, Anna. Turn left into the churchyard to find Anna near the wall. East of the church are some Beckinghams: James rented Warren Farm from John Portal while Benjamin and George had the manor farm from before 1841; George established Upper Ashe when the brothers divided the farm around 1859, both continuing into the late 1880s. Dr Russell's vault lies under the eastern extension, but Col Robert Portal's gravestone reminds us of his exploits in Crimea and there's even a second Charge of the Light Brigade survivor to the north. Pass into the upper graveyard area to find later burials. Under the trees planted in 1887/8 are the Boyles of Ashe Park and the Stopfords of the old rectory. Robert Portal gave this land from his Ashe Park estate to be consecrated by the Bishop of Winchester in 1878 at the same time as the new church. Things have changed since then. Holy Trinity had St Andrew added to its dedication in 1899. Then the Rev Ernest Thoyts had three Sunday services: Holy Communion at mid-day on 1^st and 3^rd and at 8am on 2^nd and 4^th, morning and evening services at 11am and 6pm, with Fridays and Saints’ Days having services and 'catechising' at 11.15am. In 1914, the weekly collection of about £1 was spent on Terry the sexton £1-10-0 qr, the organ blower (his son?) 5/- qr and Mrs Smith (organist?) 1/6 weekly, together with insurance, coal and coke, candles and sacraments and minor repairs. Combined with Deane in 1935 and with North Waltham and Steventon since 1972, Holy Trinity and St Andrews now has just two services a month on alternate Sundays. For further information, see Richard Tanner "Ashe & Deane" 2011, price £6.99.