THE ASHTON LAKES
The Ashton lakes, included in the area covered by the Right to Roam license, are two very beautiful but nonetheless artificial constructs. The lakes were part of the Victorian / Edwardian Utopia planned, it is thought, by William Huckvale (the fashionable Victorian architect and creator of the turn of the Century buildings at Ashton) In the heyday of the Estate, the gardens around the main house connected seamlessly with the picturesque lakes, via a manicured set of pathways.
Matters, and the absence of circa 40 gardeners and helpers, have evolved a little since this era! The lakes are now an area of natural, wild habitat replete with wildflowers, rare plants, and the remnants of an earlier order.
The artificial nature of the lakes – they have man-made water imperviant linings – has given rise to many problems. During World War II, it is said that the lakes were accidently bombed, during a training exercise. The result was that the upper lake, in particular, tended to drain away. This problem has only partially been remedied. Nonetheless, the lakes are a beautiful and romantic setting – especially in autumn and winter when the nearby woodland is less dense. The lakes in summer are shown in the picture gallery. Although on the lower lake there is a boathouse and a central island, as present there are no boating facilities. Additional restoration work is required to bring to life this amenity.
THE ASHTON WOLD CRICKET CLUB AND THE CRICKET GROUND
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a gentleman in possession of a good fortune is in need…………of a cricket ground!
Charles Rothschild was just such a gentleman, and indeed the family excelled at ball games. Victor, as a schoolboy, played for Northamptonshire – and scored a few runs (33?) off the bodyline bowling of Larwood. Victor’s prowess was in part due to the holiday “nets” organised by his elder sister Miriam, a talented skier, rider,squash, billiards, tennis, and cricket player. The Hon Miriam is said to have played in the England ladies side under the name of “Robinson”. The Hon Miriam took great pleasure in beating Oxford blues at squash, possibly her strongest sport.
The Ashton Cricket ground has born witness to village matches evocative of Julie Christie and Alan Bates in “the go between” – and traditional village cricket continues to this day …except it is the Oundle Cricket Club that now carries the flag. Anyone wishing to play (or watch) can contact the Ashton Wold Cricket Club via email : ctw18@email.com
Tenants of Ashton Cottages may also be permitted to organise their own matches, provided they address issues such as insurance, parking, stewards and health and safety!
For one Ashton match, Roddy Bloomfield, a fast bowler of blistering pace, made an appearance as a local rustic, causing the opposition to retire to the safety of an endless tea in the pavilion.
The Cricket pavilion is an exquisite example of Edwardian Craftsmanship. The pavilion has recently been re-thatched, rewired and is now in pretty good shape. (See picture gallery)
The Cricket Ground is included in the Right to Roam area, and tenants and their children are welcome to use the wicket, on the basis that it is not unduly roughed up. There are plans to make the pavilion itself more accessible to the Ashton tenants.
