Welcome to Ashley - St. James The Greater

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Parish
The mainly agricultural village of Ashley is situated on the northern border of Bristol Diocese and has a population of 55.  In common with many rural villages most residents either travel outside for work or are retired. 

We have four families with school aged children of whom a quarter attend local primary or secondary schools in Crudwell and Malmesbury.

There is no school, shop or pub in Ashley leaving the church as the only public place.

Although our population is small in number we pride ourselves in supporting each other.
Church and Finance

  • Our church of St James has been linked with All Saints, Crudwell for more than 60 years prior to becoming part of the Braydon Brook benefice. The building itself is in good repair and is well heated by an oil fired c/h system financially supported by our parishioners. Major work was carried out to the fabric of the building in recent years, including the re-slating of the whole roof, which cost some £81,000.  This work was funded in the main by local fundraising events and donations and to a lesser extent by grants.
  • The PCC remains in a strong financial position with reserves built up over many years by bequests and donations. Its normal annual income covers all its running costs and outgoing donations.  Each Christmas the PCC donates £1000 to a Charity of its choosing as part of its outreach as well as occasional donations as the need arises.


Community

  • The church community has a loyal following.  We welcome our congregation from within and from the surrounding villages, particularly Culkerton, in Gloucester Diocese, with whom we share a civil parish.  We are currently offering both BCP and CW Sunday services at times ranging from 8.30am to 6.00pm, with a service on each Sunday in the month, except in the event of a 5th Sunday when we join a Group Eucharist in one of the benefice churches in rotation.  We are fortunate to have two visiting organists to enhance our Sunday worship.  The PCC is keen to maintain this pattern of worship.
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  • Festivals and in particular our Christmas Eve carol service are exceptionally well attended. The church is always open and comments in our visitor book speak positively of the tranquility and peace of the setting.
  • A prayer leaflet is freely available for visitors.
  • We are aware of the future challenges we face, particularly in relation to our young people and the next generation of our congregation.  We have explored the possibility of working with Crudwell to address our mutual interests.

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