Aston Abbotts - Best of the Best!

Aston Abbotts has won the Best Kept Village again! We were entered in the Tindall Cup - this cup was for those who won categories in 2019 (the last time the competition was held). So, we are the Champions of Champions! What an accolade.

We scored an incredible 195 points out of 200! We can all be hugely proud of this achievement. It’s incredible.  The Presentation Tour is scheduled for Saturday, 24th September, with the Cups to be presented by Lady Elizabeth Howe, HM Lord Lieutenant and President of the Competition. 

WELL DONE ASTON ABBOTTS! WE DID IT! Thank you all for your support, encouragement and hard work.

Here's just a handful of the judges’ comments:

• “Aston Abbotts  is a best kept village in its truest sense.”
• “The Judges were extremely impressed with the Churchyard. The grass was neatly mown and the wildlife area was striking. It was a particularly pleasing to see that a list of the grasses and flowers was available to view in the Church. The War Memorial is well kept.”
• “The green, playing field and children’s play area were neatly mown and well kept. The judges liked the bench, and floral display, in the corner of the playing field and the views across the Vale.”
• “The floral displays in the village were excellent. The individual pots on the area were noted and a were well maintained and the Village Hall looked good…”
• “The general environmental features were very good. An odd bramble or two across a footpath but overall very good.”
• “The bus stops, shelters and noticeboards were extremely well maintained. The judges were very impressed with the noticeboards on the Green giving information about the history of the Village, the Abbey and the wartime role of the village in assisting the Czechoslovaks.”
• “The overall appearance of the Village is excellent. There is great evidence of community effort. Well done the people of Aston Abbotts. They have obviously maintained the standard set in 2019 when the Village won the Gurney Cup”

Aston Abbotts Fete 2022

The 2022 Aston Abbotts fete will be held on Saturday July 23rd at 1.30pm.

For more information about the fete please email fete@aston-abbotts.co.uk

Aston Abbotts Ladies Club closes

The ladies Club, which met fortnightly for around 75 years and more recently met monthly, has been closed down.

Click here to read the closure announcement

Percy Humphreys dies at 94

It is with regret that I have to report the death of Percy Humphreys of The Green Aston Abbotts.

He leaves behind his younger sibling Hilder and niece Sandra.

Percy was born in the Bull & Butcher pub, Aston Abbotts where his mum and dad were Landlady and Landlord for at least 50 years. They also owned the Bakery there where Percy worked until the death of his mother.   He later worked for Todd's Coaches.

He had been living alone since the death of Sheila, his wife. He loved gardening and did this as much as he could as he entered his senior years. I’ve also been told he was a good cook.

Percy will be missed by family, Friends and neighbours.

Percy’s funeral is to be held on Monday 13th September 13.30 at St James Church Aston Abbotts followed by the burial. Attendees are welcome to tea in the Village Hall.

Pete Lucas Editor Chronicle

Fete Dog Show Cancelled

Regrettably the Village Dog Show due to take place at Aston Abbotts Fete on the 24th July has been CANCELLED due to Kennel Cough in the village.

We apologise for the disappointment as this is a popular event, but we are sure that everybody will understand the welfare of the dogs is paramount.

ASTON ABBOTTS FETE Saturday 24th July 2021

 ASTON ABBOTTS FETE Saturday 24^th July 2021 opening at 1pm.

Just a week to go and your local co-ordinators should be organising collections of books, bric-a-brac and bottles for the Tombola and collecting returns for the raffle.  

We will be setting up from 10am on the day and would welcome assistance with moving chairs and tables to the green and clearing up after the Fete closes at 4pm. Many hands make light work so please come and help.

Programme of Events

1.00pm Fete opening by Greg Smith MP

1.15pm Great Horwood Band

1.30pm Dog Show opens next to the Church

2.00pm Unveiling of Village History Board on the green by Colonel Vladimír STOLÁRIK (SLOVAK Defence Attaché to the United Kingdom & Ireland)

2.15pm Aldbury Morris Men

3.00pm Great Horwood Band

3.45pm Raffle Draw and award of prizes

4.00pm Fete Closes

•  Refreshments available in the Village Hall
• Toilets in the Village Hall and the Church
• 1^st. Aid Post in the Village Hall

 David Gray Fete Organiser.

Royal Oak Future in Doubt

The future of The Royal Oak in Aston Abbotts appears to be in doubt. Owners Teri and Gary say they have no immediate plans to re-open the pub and are understood to be 'considering their options'.

The potential loss of Aston Abbotts sole remaining pub will come as a body blow to those villagers who have used it regularly. However, the pre-pandemic trade level was not very high and the situation over the last year has apparently forced a rethink by the owners.

Any further news will be reported here and in The Chronicle when the situation becomes clearer.