Aston juxta Mondrum

Toponymy

The name of the village means 'Aston near Mondrum [forest],' presumably to set it apart from other places named 'Aston.' In 1321, however, the place is called 'Aston in Mondrum' – that is it is within the forest of Delamere-Mondrum, TNA CHES 29/33 m 16.

History

The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book as consisting of three households, and was held by William Malbank. Later on, Thomas lord of Crewe granted his sister Sibill all his lordship of Aston as well as lands in Cholmondeston. Worleston Dairy Institute was located in the civil parish, and received a royal visit from George V and Queen Mary in 1913. The institute closed in 1926.

Demographics

According to the 2001 census the parish had a population of 133, in 55 households. The population of the civil parish had risen at the 2011 Census to 292. The historical population figures were 111 (1801), 171 (1851), 194 (1901) and 141 (1951).

Landmarks

The grade-II-listed St Oswald's Church, founded 1873, is in Worleston village. A major fire in 1997 damaged the roof, chancel and organ loft; the church has since been restored. St Oswald's has been administered since 1991 as a united benefice, the Cross Country Group of Parish Churches, with St Mary's, Acton, St Bartholomew's, Church Minshull, and St David's, Wettenhall. It falls into the rural deanery of Nantwich and the diocese of Chester. Since 2014, the vicar has been the Reverend Anne Lawson.

St Oswald's CE Primary School () on Church Lane was originally Worleston National School and is still often referred to as "Worleston School". The present building dates from 1887, although there are records of the school as early as 1863.

Notes

References

1. (July 2024). "Location of Chester South and Eddisbury".
2. "Aston juxta Mondrum".
3. "Place: Aston [juxta Mondrem]".
4. (1819). "The history of the county palatine and city of Chester". Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, and Jones..
5. Anon. The King and Queen at Crewe. ''The Times'', p. 9 (22 April 1913)
6. Latham, p. 53
7. "2001 Census: Aston juxta Mondrum CP (parish headcounts)". Office for National Statistics.
8. "Civil Parish population 2011". Office for National Statistics.
9. "Aston juxta Mondrum". GENUKI UK & Ireland Genealogy.
10. "History of St Oswald's Church". Cross Country Group of Parish Churches.
11. "St. Oswald's Church, Worleston after the fire". Geograph.
12. "St. Oswald's Church, Worleston after the fire". Geograph.
13. Latham, p. 9
14. "Church Officers: Reverend Anne Lawson". Cross Country Group of Parish Churches.
15. Latham, pp. 91–2