All Saints', Wrington
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Churchwarden for 52 years Harvest 2006 marked the 52nd anniversary as Churchwarden of Redhill parish church, for retired farmer, Horace Ashman. A post held by the Ashman family at Christ Church Redhill for three generations. If you have an hour or two to spare and you need to catch up with the latest news in Redhill and Wrington, or the lamb prices at the local livestock market, or maybe missed the recent land auction down the road, then Uncle Horace is your man. With enthusiasm and curiosity Uncle Horace exchanges tidings about farming and rural life. He is passionate about his village and its people, and his church, which he serves so faithfully. Having discussed the forthcoming Christ Church Grand Draw, and the numerous local businesses that he had visited in his successful quest to acquire prizes, we chatted about Christ Church, Redhill when he was a boy. Uncle Horace was born at Goblin Coombe Farm, and clearly recalled the 1920’s. Sunday School by oil lamp, pumping the organ by hand and father attending to his churchwarden duties. During this time there were Services at 8am, 10.30am, Sunday school at 3pm and a service at 6.30pm all attended by one or another of his large family. During the war, the Italian prisoners were welcomed to Redhill and they soon became regular worshippers at Christ Church. The Ashman family were notable Champion ploughmen with horses, and the Bristol International Airport now occupies hundreds of acres where Uncle Horace turned many a furrow to plant oats and barley after the war. The doors of Redhill church are open throughout the day and due to the proximity to the airport, many traveller’s can be found resting peacefully in Christ Church before and after their journey. Uncle Horace served on the Bristol Airport consultative committee for many years, and on occasions joined the Rev. Basil French when taking a Good Friday Service in the Airport building for the hundreds of people gathered there. Horace recalled with sadness the closing of his village school, and the housing of the School bell in the church porch. I left feeling spiritually inspired and refreshed, and very proud of my favourite Uncle. |
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