Heritage Open Days,
10th - 13th September 2009

We had a very successful two open days at the William Layne Reading Room with over 63 visitors. From their remarks in the visitors' book, they all enjoyed their visit, found it very interested and the history group members very welcoming (and as one remarked "lovely cake". From our refreshments we were able to donate £40 to the Blue Bell Wood Children's Hospice.

In 2010, the Reading Room will be open on Friday 10th September and Saturday 11th September for the Heritage Open Day weekend.

Rotherham Walking Festival 2010

The History Group organised a historical walk around Aston as part of the Rotherham Walking Festival on Friday 14th May 2010.

Thirty people joined us on our walk on a beautiful sunny evening. We left the Reading Room on Aughton Lane, Aston at 6.00 p.m. and walked through the village to the Yellow Lion Inn at Netherthorpe, talking about the history of the old buildings in the village on the way.

We then retraced our steps, calling in at the Cricket Ground and then into Aston Hall Hotel. We then visited what had been the coach houses, now converted into houses. In Aston Church we gave a brief history of the church building and then returned to the Reading Room for refreshments.

Aston Parish Open Day
Saturday 17th October 2009

The History Group stand at the Aston Parish Open Day in the Parish Hall, Rosegarth Avenue, on Saturday 17th October 2009 welcomed visitors to browse their photograph albums and other local history maps and documents. We also had on display the 1762 map of the Aston Estate drawn for Robert 4th Earl of Holderness. This was very kindly on loan from Rotherham Archives.

Aston Gala
Saturday 8th August 2009

The day of Aston Carnival dawned bright and sunny and I am sure all the participants breathed a sigh of relief after remembering the disappointing weather last year when heavy rain washed out the day. It was a busy day with many visitors browsing through the photographs and reminiscing.

In 2010 the Carnival will be held on Saturday 7th August at the recreation ground off Lodge Lane

The Cricket Club Fun Day also dawned brightly and we were again very busy with many visitors browsing through our photograph albums.

In 2010 the Fun Day will be held on Sunday 29th August at the Cricket Club Ground on Green Lane, Aston.

Ulley Country Fair
27th September 2009

On the 27th September 2009 our stand at the first Ulley Country Fair created a lot of interest and we had many people looking at our display of photographs of Ulley. The day stayed find and the first Ulley Country Fair was a great success.

The second fair will be held on Sunday 26th September 2010.

The Memmotts of Aston and Utah


Following a successful visit to Aston in March 2008 by American descendants of William Memmott, Parish Clerk of Aston from 1781 to 1825, three members of the History Group travelled to Salt Lake City in August 2008 for a return visit and gave a presentation about the history of Aston at the Memmott Annual Reunion in Scipio, Utah.

We welcomed two members of the family in October 2009 and helped them trace more of their family ancestors in the local area. We also introduced them to the Derbyshire Peak District and Castleton. They are currently planning a return visit to Aston during May 2010.

Sixteen members of the Memmott family joined us on the 15th and 16th May. On the 15th May we met in the Reading Room and presented a brief history of Aston during the time of the Memmotts and also the Memmott emigration to Utah.

On Sunday 16th May we gathered in Aston Church for a dedication service for a Paschal Candle Stand given to the Church by the Memmott family in memory of William Memmott (1743-1827), Parish Clerk for 45 years and Frances Memmott (1770-1849), Parish Clerk for 22 years.

The service was followed by refreshments in the Narthex and a trip to the top of the Church tower by several of the visitors. It was a beautiful clear day and the views from the top were worth the climb.