Ashill, Norfolk

Ashill (pronounced Ash–ill^[2]) 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 (4.73 sq mi) and in the 2001 census had a population of 1,426 in 634 households. Update from 2021 census the population as increased to 1,508. For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the district of Breckland.^[3]

Ashill was originally called Asleigh,^[4] 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.^[5] 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.^[6] It was once the headquarters for the local St John Ambulance division, but has been renovated into a house. 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.^[7]

A community centre complex was completed in the 1970s and provides an event hall, grassed playing field, tennis court, basketball court and play area. The village has its own free monthly newsletter, Ashlink Magazine, which contains local notices, announcements, detail on local events, clubs, societies and submissions from local residents.^[8]

The parish church of St Nicholas originates from the 14th century but also features many aspects from more recent times. The north windows hold some 15th-century mediaeval glass, the chancel features 19th-century glass by Lavers, Barraud and Westlake, whilst the roof is of 17th-century origin.^[9] The current incumbent is the Rev Jane Atkins. Bell ringing practise takes place on a Thursday night – new ringers always welcome.

There is also a Charismatic Anglican congregation present in the village that operates outside of the parish system but is still a member of the Church of England.^[10] It was first planted in 1997 after a controversy over the removal of the pews to allow more room in St. Nicolas.^[11] The church moved between local community centres before buying a garage in Ashill and converting it into what is now the Well Christian Centre.^[12] The building is owned by a separate charity, the Cornerstone Building Trust.^[13]

• Information from Genuki Norfolk on Ashill.
• Ashill village pages.
• 1883 Kelly's Directory entry for Ashill, 1883, p.229
• Ashill in the Domesday Book