Sir James Clark Ross is probably Aston Abbotts’ most famous former resident and the
celebrated Antarctic explorer is buried in our churchyard along with his wife Anne.
The Deverell family originated in Swanbourne, but both John and William Deverell lived
in Aston Abbotts during the 19th Century.
Two gravestones for members of the Deverell family can be found in St James’
churchyard.
John Putnam, born in Wingrave in 1650, is believed to have farmed in the hamlet of
Burston (long gone on Lines Hill leading west out of Aston Abbotts.
He later emigrated to Massachusetts where his descendants became involved in the
notorious Salem witch trials.
A plaque in St. James church commemorates a donation made by a 20th century
descendant in memory of his ancestor.
During the second world war President Benes, the exiled president of
Czechoslovakia, lived in The Abbey, the former home of Sir James Clark Ross. The
then owner of The Abbey Major Morton and his family moved into the chauffeur’s
cottage.
After the war President Benes donated a bus shelter to the village, which still stands
at Wingrave crossroads.
In recent years there have been a number of commemorations of the historic links
between Aston Abbotts and President Benes, held in conjunction with the Czech and
Slovak embassies. See pictures here (external site). In 2021 the two embassies
donated an information board celebrating the connection which stands on The
Green in the centre of our village.
- Photos
- Aston Abbotts - Winter Pictures
- Aston Abbotts How It Was
- Villagers Pictures - General
- Villagers Pictures - Ken Rhodie
- 630 Club Bean Competition 2011
- Astonbury X 2011 - Page 1
- Astonbury X 2011 - Page 2
- Astonbury X 2011 - Page 3
- Vic Scott Memorial Orchard
- Christmas Lunch 2011
- Peter Kent's Photographs
- Jubilee Picnic 2012
- Village Orchard - One Year On
- Village Orchard - Autum 2012 Planting
- Astonbury 2012
- Videos
- Interviews
