England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Ashford Bowdler St Andrew

The Parish

The parish of Ashford Bowdler lies in the extreme south of Shropshire separated from Herefordshire by solely the parish of Richards' Castle and lying some 3 miles south of the "foodie" town of Ludlow. Ashford Bowdler sits immediately east of the A49 road which links Ludlow with Leominster in Herefordshire, squeezed between that road and the banks of the River Teme and bisected by the Ludlow to Leominster railway line. Ashford Bowdler is little more than a hamlet in a tiny acreage of parish with most properties lining the narrow lane that heads east between A-road and river. Early gazetteers estimate roughly equal proportions of arable and pastoral methods despite the western location which favoured the latter. The railway line, part of the Marches line between Shrewsbury and Newport, constitutes the main modern development despite the traffic on the A49 it remains a 2-lane road. The River Teme drains the parish initially southwards and then east to meet the Severn south of Worcester, the Severn has a lengthy journey to the sea arriving through the Bristol Channel. Ashford Bowdler is sited at around 70 metres above the sea but western views are dominated by the wooded heights of the Mortimer Hills topping out at High Vinnalls at 372 metres and filling the western horizon. Ashford Bowdler parish was tiny covering just 630 acres which would have barely supported 100 parishioners. Ashford Bowdler is not mentioned in Domesday Book.

The Church

St Andrew's church sits at the end of the dead-end lane which runs eastwards from the A49, crosses the railway line and terminates in a cluster of properties at a muddy turning area, the church sits almost on the banks of the Teme. There is documentary evidence supporting a foundation for the church as early as 1211 and the fabric backs up that early date as both northern and southern doorways are clearly of Norman Romanesque style and possibly of the 12th century, further evidence is retained in the rebuilt chancel where similarly aged windows have been retained. At some point and probably in the 15th century the nave was extended westwards and it is likely that the shingled bellcote was added at that date. The church has been the subject of at least 3 phases of restoration, a general restoration of 1846 which remodelled the bellcote and created today's broach spire replacing a needle-like structure, modest work in 1904 and a rebuild of the chancel in 1907. The access road often suffers from the farm traffic and can be muddy, the best parking being around twin green oases within the turning area. Thick trees marr views from the west and from the south restrict the degree with which one can retreat to encompass the view.