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ASTON VILLAGE GREEN
NEED NOT BE A DREAM
Centre Field would make a wonderful open traditional village green
to rival even Datchworth and Benington. It would be a joy to residents and people passing through.
It has so much potential.
Right in the centre of the village it would be so attractive. Also with the closure of the village shop most of the life has
gone out of the centre. All the more reason to create an open village green. Centre Field belongs to us all.
The
open space would be an invitation to stroll. The Rose and Crown would have an unbroken view across it. I am sure the customers
would enjoy taking a pint over the road to watch the cricket. Trade at the pub would probably increase as it would be an Inn
on the green and more attractive to patrons. We don't want the pub to go the same way as the local shop.
A 'Villagers
for a Village Green Group' was formed in 1994 and a questionnaire was sent out to every person in the village. The result
was an overwhelming vote for Centre Field to become a traditional village green by 277 votes to 10! But nothing was done.
The speed of traffic has increased along Benington Road. It has become a 'rat-run'. A traffic calming scheme could
be part of a new village green initiative. Does anyone have the vision and enthusiasm to create it? Aston Village Green need
not be a dream.
If you are of like mind, please get in touch with me. I need friends to form a committee and present
a plan to the village and centre field trust.
Some computer generated pictures are shown below to illustrate what
the changes might look like compared with what we have today. Let me know what you think.
Des Turner.
NOW/ FUTURE?
VIEW FROM WAR MEMORIAL
VIEW WEST ALONG BENINGTON ROAD
VIEW ALONG STRINGERS LANE
VIEW EAST ALONG BENINGTON ROAD
VIEW FROM ROSE AND CROWN
THE GOOD NEWS!
The ASTON VILLAGERS FOR A VILLAGE GREEN organisation has been reactivated
and progress is being made. October 2001.
THE BAD NEWS
Sadly it all came to nought. After many meetings and many huge problems overcome
the promised grant from the Countryside Commission Doorstep Green scheme was withdrawn due to a tecnicality. Aston does
own the area for 999 years but after that it could revert revert back to the original owner. In other words Aston doesn't
own the land outright and the dream became a nightmare.
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