Holy Trinity, Ashford, Derbyshire
Description
The church of the Holy Trinity, now chiefly in the Decorated style, consists of chancel, nave, north aisle, south porch and a low embattled tower at the west end containing 3 bells, one of which is dated 1612, and there is also a sanctus bell: the curfew may still be heard here, as well as the pancake bell, rung at 11 a.m. on Shrove Tuesday: the tower is probably in part of the 13th century, although its battlements and pinnacles are of a much later date: the tower, including the roof and pinnacles, was thoroughly restored in 1901 at a cost of £120: the chancel has a niche on the north side used as a credence table, and in the vestry is a chest and chairs of 17th century work: the pulpit is of fine old oak, probably Jacobean: the font is octagonal, with panels inclosing plain shields: over the inner door of the porch is a piece of early sculpture, supposed to represent a wild boar under a tree, and another animal resembling a wolf: on the south side of the church are the remains of an ancient cross, consisting of three ranges of octagonal stone steps and a base about two feet in height: a chantry was founded in this church on the feast of the Purification, 1257, by Griffin, son of Wenunwyn, who then held this manor: the once almost universal custom in English villages of hanging up funeral garlands in the church for deceased maidens is still preserved here, and five of these still hang from the beams of the north aisle, one to Anne Howard being dated 1747, And another to Ann Swindel, 1798: there are brasses to Lord George Henry Cavendish M.P. North Derbyshire, d. 23 Sept. 1880, and to three of his sons, Henry George, 68th Regiment (Durham Light Infantry), d. 9 Nov. 1865; Arthur, R.N. d. 13 March, 1858, and Walter Frederick, Rifle Brigade, d. at Agra, 26 Nov. 1866, and one to the Rev. W. G. Giles, late vicar; there are also three stained windows: the church was restored in 1867-70 at a cost of £1,600, and in 1890 a sum of £300 was expended in extensive repairs to the roof and in replastering, painting and decorating the walls: there are 300 sittings.
Church Records
The register dates from the year 1688.