Welcome

What Do We Do and Support?

The Friends is a registered charity which was founded more than 25 years ago. The sole purpose of the Friends is to raise money to help maintain both the fabric and the contents of Ashwell’s beautiful church.

The Friends is independent of the Church of England and we act on our own initiative to raise funds from our  generous donors.  We are able to donate money not only to the Church of England but to any other party who is responsible for, or involved in, St Mary’s maintenance and upkeep.

Many of our trustees and donors are not otherwise involved in the life of the Church but are concerned that St Mary’s is preserved and, indeed, enhanced, for the enjoyment and use of future generations.

In recent years we have made substantial financial contributions towards repairs to the tower, the South Aisle and the chancel, (both exterior and interior), have assisted with lighting and made grants to enhance the music of the church.  The tower will require much further work but the South Aisle and chancel are now in good repair and will be for many decades to come.  We expect to be involved soon in  projects to repair the North Aisle roof and improve access to St Mary’s.

Meet the Team

  • Stephen ten Hove

    Stephen has lived in Ashwell for 19 years with his wife and four children. He works as a lawyer in London. In between work, family life and gardening, he is involved in several groups and activities in the village but is particularly concerned with preserving for the future our beautiful parish church of St Mary's and to continue to enhance its central role in village life

  • Karen Rogers

    Karen has lived in Ashwell for 29 years with her husband and daughter. Karen gave up work around 16 years ago having spent most of her career working in Sales and Marketing in London 5-star hotels.  She is now very active in the village with various local events including the Book Fair, the Flea Market, the WI Tea Tent at the Ashwell Show as well as helping at the Christmas Fair and at Ashwell at Home. She is also Wardrobe Mistress and Secretary at the Theatre Club.

  • Chris Smith

    Chris has lived in the community for the past 19 years. He has been involved in the PTA, where his children went to school and onto KTS,  as well as many other organisations within the community. A photographer and film maker Chris has captured life in Ashwell during his time here and continues to do so.

  • John Paramour

    I have lived in Ashwell for 26 years and have 3children and 5 grandchildren. I am a retired chartered accountant and during my time here have been associated with various activities relating to St. Marys church.