Aston Ingham Village News – November 2026
Aston Ingham & Kilcot Village News – November 2026
Sub-Editor: Mike Clayton
Tel: 01989 720229
AIChimes@outlook.com
Church News
Regular Services
1st Sunday Evensong at 4.30pm
2nd Sunday Parish Communion at 10.30am
3rd Sunday Village Praise at 10.30am
4th Sunday SAID Communion at 10.30am
Every Monday at 5.30 pm, a short service of Evening Prayer.
New Service
3rd Saturday of every month, Holy Communion at 5.30 pm
Other Services
November 8th at 10.50am - Remembrance Sunday
November 29th at 10.30am - Benefice Advent Service Upton Bishop
December 16th at 6.30pm - Carol Service followed by mulled wine and mince pies
December 25th at 10.30am - Christmas Day Parish Communion
Churchwarden James Harding – 07749188185 daffodil.rose1968@gmail.com
Village News & Events
Knitting a Little Comfort for Children in Ukraine
Our Knit & Natter group has once again been busy knitting dolls for children in Ukraine. These are not simply handmade toys. The dolls are intended to stay with children during some of the most difficult moments imaginable, when the air-raid sirens sound, and they must leave their homes or schools and make their way to underground shelters.
It is impossible for us to imagine what these children must be experiencing. Something as simple as having a soft, handmade doll to hold onto can, we hope, provide a little comfort, reassurance, and companionship at a very frightening time.
For our Knit & Natter team, knowing that something they have made with their own hands might bring even a small moment of comfort to a child makes all the effort worthwhile. It is a wonderful example of how a little time, some wool, and a lot of care can travel a very long way. And so, the needles will keep clicking, and the dolls will keep appearing! We’re very proud of the difference our small group is making, one stitch at a time.
Could you lend a helping hand?
Our Village Hall is at the heart of our community, and like so many village organisations, it relies on a small team of volunteers to keep things running smoothly. We’re looking for a new Treasurer to join our friendly team of Trustees.
The Treasurer’s role involves looking after the Village Hall Trust’s finances, including sending and following up on invoices, banking a small amount of cash from time to time, and preparing a short monthly financial report for the Trustees’ meeting. The Treasurer also looks after submitting our annual accounts to the Charity Commission and recommends investment decisions.
This role only takes a few hours each month. You’ll need to be comfortable with online banking and spreadsheets and be able to help the Trustees understand the financial implications of decisions we make. If you would enjoy playing an important part in supporting our village, we’d love to hear from you. Equally, if you’d simply like to find out a little more about what’s involved, please get in touch with Janet Potter on 01452 830556 or 07340 078520.
Could you help deliver the Chimes?
We’re also looking for a few more Chimes magazine distributors. It’s a really simple way to help out in the village. Each month, the magazines would be delivered to your door, and you would then deliver them to local households. Most distributors deliver to around 20 houses, so it’s not an onerous job and usually takes about an hour each month.
If you could spare the time, we’d be very grateful for your help. It’s a lovely way to support our village and make sure everyone receives their copy of the Chimes. Interested in helping or like to know more? Please contact Janet on 01452 830556 or 07340 078520. Every little bit of volunteering makes a real difference, and we’d be delighted to welcome some new faces to our village team!
What on Earth is a Twiddle Muff?
This was the question I found myself asking in early October, when Janet Potter mentioned Twiddle Muffs in her submission for the Chimes. A quick Google later, and I was much better informed!
A Twiddle Muff, sometimes called a sensory or fidget muff, is a soft knitted or fleece hand warmer with lots of interesting things attached inside and out – ribbons, buttons, beads, zips and different textures. It gives the user something to explore and fiddle with, providing a soothing and comforting sensory experience.
Twiddle Muffs can be particularly helpful for people living with dementia, Alzheimer’s, autism, ADHD and other conditions where sensory stimulation can be beneficial. The simple act of keeping busy hands occupied can help with relaxation, concentration, and reducing anxiety or restlessness.
And, most importantly, they really do make a difference. In September, Barbara Butcher and Janet took a selection of the Twiddle Muffs made by our Knit & Natter team to Hazelhurst Care Home, where Margaret Minett is being cared for. They were warmly received and much appreciated – a lovely reminder that the things our group creates are not just crafts, but useful and meaningful gifts for people in our local community.
The Care Home has already given us our next challenge: Christmas decorations! They have asked if we can knit decorations for their Christmas tree and to brighten up residents’ rooms. Naturally, the Knit & Natter team are more than happy to rise to the challenge!
Fancy joining us? You don’t have to be an expert knitter, and you certainly don’t have to be able to knit complicated patterns. Whether you’re an experienced knitter, a complete beginner, or simply fancy some friendly company while doing something creative, you’d be very welcome to join us.
There’s something rather special about getting together, having a natter, sharing ideas and knowing that the things we make will go on to bring pleasure and comfort to someone else.
So, if you have a little spare time and would like to be part of something genuinely useful – come along and join the gang! You never know, you might even discover that Twiddle Muffs are your new favourite thing!
Wheelchair availability
We have a wheelchair stored in the Village Hall for communal use. Contact Janet Potter
Cards wanted
Wanted: Christmas and greeting cards to recycle into new cards. We now have our own group of ladies making cards for the Cobalt Unit. We have a box in the hall lobby for your old cards & stamps & a card stand with cards for sale.
For more details, please get in touch with Janet on 01452 830556 or 07340 078520.
100 Club
We have room for more players. If you have not yet joined and would like to, please get in touch at treasurer-AIVH@hotmail.com
September 1st Stephen Phillips, 2nd – David Leighton, 3rd – Wendy Newborough
Aston Ingham Manor – from medieval estate to Aston Court
The history of Aston Ingham Manor reaches back almost a thousand years. The estate had belonged to Edward the Confessor before the Norman Conquest and subsequently became part of the lands of Ansfrid of Cormeilles and the barony of Cormeilles.
By the 13th century, the manor was in the hands of the Ingayn, or Ingan, family, whose name became attached to the village: Estun Ingan is recorded in 1242. The family evidently established a manor here, although the medieval manor house itself has long disappeared.
A particularly vivid glimpse of the medieval estate comes from an inquisition held in 1444 after the death of Robert Greyndour. Aston Ingham was then a manor worth £10 a year, containing a hall, chambers, kitchen, stable, byre and barn, together with arable land, meadows, pasture, woodland, rents and the right to hold a manorial court. Greyndour's widow, Joan, was entitled to one-third of the manor as her dower.
The manor eventually passed through several families before becoming associated with the Power family. By the 19th century, Captain Kingsmill Manley Power was lord of the manor. Interestingly, he lived principally at Hill Court near Ross-on-Wye rather than at Aston Ingham. Contemporary directories describe him as lord of the manor and list Aston Court as a working farm occupied by the farmer Samson Holder.
The present Aston Court developed from that farm. Herefordshire Council's conservation research suggests that around the turn of the 20th century, the old Court Farm was renamed Aston Court, its entrance was redesigned with a formal tree-lined approach, and the original farmhouse and adjoining structures were demolished. A new residence was constructed, marking the transformation from a working farm to a country house.
By 1914, Aston Court was the residence of Manley Power, and its gardens hosted a local garden fête in aid of the village school. The Power family continued to be associated with Aston Court into the 20th century.
Aston Court occupies the site and landscape of a much older manorial tradition — one which has shaped Aston Ingham's history since the Middle Ages. In the 1980s. Aston Court was divided into 10 separate apartments.
Church Cleaning
If anyone would like to join our cleaning rota, please get in touch with Janet on 01452 830556. We split the Church into sections to make it easier and to ensure that no one person has too much to do. The more helpers, the less work for everyone
Forthcoming Events at the Village Hall
Future Events at the Village Hall for your diaries
DECEMBER 11TH. Sing-a-long. The wedding singer back by popular demand. This will be a popular event, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
December 18th Christmas Coffee Morning
Aston Ingham Parish Council
After a short summer recess in August and two missed deadlines for Chimes due also to the calendared meeting in July, we hope you managed to catch up with two sets of Briefing Notes on our website, which would have meant you did not have to miss out on up-to-date Parish Council business. Below is the latest news following our September 29th meeting.
THE PROPOSED CLOSURE OF THE OLD CHURCHYARD
Having been in communication with the Ministry of Justice and having received detailed guidance on the matter, the Parish Council voted unanimously to object to the closure on the grounds that there is burial space available, owned by the PCC/Church, on the other side of the B4222, named St John the Baptist Cemetery. In addition, the Parish Council has not been in receipt of the full application form from the PCC, which would have confirmed any additional motivation for closure, e.g., to potentially enable responsibility for maintenance to be transferred to the local authority. Full details of our criteria for Objection can be found in the Briefing notes on the website posted ahead of September’s meeting.
PARISH IMPROVEMENTS in the PIPELINE
When the leaves have dropped, our Lengthsman and his team will carry out a Maintenance Visit to ensure that all drainage channels are clear
Work has been completed to erect the pole on the site of the second SID ( Speed Indicator Device) to the West of the Village on the B4222 close to the School House. We plan to move the SID device shortly to capture traffic speeds coming from a second vantage point.
We are arranging for a ‘Plan B’ to be implemented to control the runoff onto the road from Aston Court Farm. A specialist technician from Herefordshire Council, our Lengthsman Terry Griffiths, will be meeting shortly with members of the PC to discuss and submit an agreed alternative plan.
Improvements to the footpath opposite the Village Hall towards Cowley Lane are being discussed to prevent pedestrians from walking along the road when the path is muddy and slippery.
The Parish Council is discussing the siting of a new means of displaying notices with the Village Hall Committee. The structure, commonly seen in most towns and villages, will increase the capacity for PC information to be shared with Parishioners and Visitors to the area.
Footpath Grant: members of the PC are completing a survey of our network of footpaths. This includes the access & condition of the specified legal route plus the state of stiles and finger posts. The PC will liaise with landowners where necessary. We will publish the completed survey on our website.
PARISH COUNCIL VACANCIES
We have been short of one Parish Councillor for several months, and now we are also advertising for a new Footpaths Officer. Please contact our Clerk or any member of the Parish Council for further information if you are interested in joining our Team.
Maggie Pettit, Chair, 3rd October, 2026
Village Hall Events – November 2026
Village Hall Committee Meeting
When: Tuesday 3rd November at 11:30 am
Details: Monthly meeting of the Village Hall Committee.
Information & booking: Sue Harding 01989 720528
Country Dancing
When: Friday 6th November at 7 pm
Details: Our caller will be Andy. If you’d like to join us, you’d be most welcome. Any age, ability, or gender. No partner needed. £3 per person
Information & booking: Janet Potter 01452 830556 or 07340 078520
Aston Ingham W.I.
When: Tuesday 10th November at 1:45 pm
Details: The speaker will be Mike Aggleton on AA Milne & Winnie the Pooh. Everyone is welcome.
Information & booking: Janet Potter 01452 830556 or 07340 078520
Crochet Club
When: Thursday 12th November. at 2 pm
Details: This group meets on the 2nd Thursday of every month in the committee room at the Village Hall. All are welcome; you don’t have to crochet, but we have a teacher on hand if you would like to learn. Come and join a great group! £3.00 per person, including refreshments.
Information & booking: Tania Clayton 01989 720229 or 07796 955424
Short Mat Bowls
When: Friday 13th November at 2 pm
Details: We have also arranged a friendly match with Aston Ingham Bowling Club on Friday, 20th November at 2.30pm at the Bowling Club. If you’d like to join us on either date, please just come along; you’d be made very welcome. We are a very friendly group, and our bowling is non-competitive. £3 per person.
Information & booking: Janet Potter 01452 830556 or 07340 078520
Pop Up Pub
When: Saturday 14th November from 7.00 pm
Details: After a fabulous turnout in September, we’re back with the usual great selection of beers, wines, soft and zero alcohol drinks and snacks.
Information & booking: Tania Clayton 01989 720229 or 07796 955424
Knit and Natter
When: Tuesday 17th November at 2 pm
Details: After creating another excellent display for the Village Hall foyer and more dolls for Ukraine, we will be turning our attention to knitting Christmas decorations for the staff and residents at Hazelhurst Care Home to hang on their tree or to decorate their rooms.
Information & booking: Janet Potter 01452 830556 or 07340 078520
Book Club and Coffee Morning
When: Friday 27th November at 10:30 am
Details: There will be the usual selection of cakes. Puzzles & books can be borrowed & Cobalt Charity cards are available to purchase.
Information & booking: Janet Potter 01452 830556 or 07340 078520
Aston Ingham Reading Group
When: First Saturday of every month 09:30 – 11:00 am
Details: November - Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Information & booking: Jan Falkiner 07899 728346
Aston Ingham Cricket Club – 50th Anniversary
Aston Ingham Cricket Club celebrated its 50th anniversary this year.
Events started back in April at Upton Bishop Millennium Hall with Supper with Scu, a sell-out evening with guests enjoying a three-course dinner with former top Jump jockey Tom Scudamore recounting his tales from the saddle. Since retiring as a jockey, Tom has joined AICC and plays regularly for our 3rd and 4th XI teams.
The highlight of our 50th anniversary was a Participation Cricket Week in August that saw matches every day, from Juniors and Women’s to hosting the Gloucestershire Gypsies and plenty more. Over 70 members participated across the week, showcasing the breadth of cricketing talent across the club.
The main event saw AICC hosting the prestigious MCC for the first time in the Club’s history with a charity lunch raising money for St Michael’s Hospice. The sun shone on what was a truly memorable day as 170 guests took to the marquee overlooking the match and were treated to a superb guest speaker in former England Cricketer Geoff Miller. Guests included top Jumps trainer Kim Bailey (whose son Archie plays for Durham CC) and renowned sports psychologist Michael Caulfield, and as a result of AICC’s efforts, we are very proud that St Michael’s Hospice received £7,500.
Our final event of the year is the popular annual Christmas Quiz, in the Club House on Friday 4th December (a change of date so as not to clash with Gorsley School’s Christmas Bazaar). Details are below, and it’s £20 a team, open to all and always great fun.
Thank you to everyone who has supported AICC in our 50th year.
