Ashmore Park
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Coordinates: 52°36′N 2°04′W / 52.60°N 2.06°W
| Ashmore Park | |
 Ashmore Park
Ashmore Park shown within the West Midlands |
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| Population | 6,734 |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | SJ9601 |
| Metropolitan borough | Wolverhampton |
| Metropolitan county | West Midlands |
| Region | West Midlands |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Wednesfield |
| Postcode district | WV |
| Dialling code | 01902 |
| Police | West Midlands |
| Fire | West Midlands |
| Ambulance | West Midlands |
| EU Parliament | West Midlands |
| List of places: UK • England • West Midlands | |
Ashmore Park is a large housing estate just outside of Wednesfield, in England. It is now in the city of Wolverhampton, West Midlands and was located within the historic county boundaries of Staffordshire. It forms most of the Wednesfield North ward of Wolverhampton City Council.
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[edit] Places of interest
At the heart of the estate is a large green park from which the area takes it name, consisting of a children’s play area and multiple sports facilities which include a skate park, all weather multi sports pitch BMX track and bowls green. The park is also home to the Wednesfield Aces speedway team.
There are two main shopping areas, known locally as the 'top' or 'bottom' shops due to their geographic location. Both precincts house a mix of local and independent businesses. The 'bottom shops' has underwent an extensive facelift during the early 2000's that included work to preserve the historic moat site.
Located on Griffiths Drive (the main road around the estate) there is a community centre, a youth club and a newly built Children's Centre “The Parks”. The Ashmore Park Community Centre and Ashmore Park Youth Club have each been renovated in recent years, improving both accessibility and security for the general users.
The estate is served by two Banks's pubs: "The Ashmore" and "The True Briton". There is also a Fish And Chips shop, a Post Office Chemist and Library.
[edit] History
Ashmore Park was originally one of the wooded estates which Lady Wulfruna gave over to St. Peter's Fold in order for it to generate income and food for itself. A moat surrounded farmhouse was built here, sometime in the mid-14th century. Three-quarters of the moat still exists today, at the 'bottom shops'.
The housing estate was originally built as an overspill estate for Wolverhampton, but was built within Wednesfield Urban District. The estate consists predominantly of 1950s council houses, flats and bungalows. It was the biggest council estate in Europe at the time of being built.[citation needed]
The home stead is viewed as being used by the Dean of Wolverhampton in his role as Dean of Ashmore Park (basically landlord). Generally the house was probably used as a farm and hostel for visitors and/ or workers utilized on the land and in the woods. Such things were common medieval uses for outlying city/ town estates. However, there is little to no actual evidence of such use here. The old farmhouse was probably taken down when a new one was built in the early 19th century; that new one was demolished in 1957 and a library was built near its site.
[edit] Demographics
The latest census to take place in the neighbourhood was in 2001, where it was recorded as having a population of 6,734. 25-44 year olds represented the highest proportion of the estate's population at 27.6% with 60-74 year olds being the second highest at 24.3%. The neighbourhood is not an ethnically diverse area with 97.2% of the population being classed as White. Black Caribbean is the largest ethnic minority group in the neighbourhood, representing 0.9%. Christianity is the predominant religion in the area with 81.6% of the population stating that they were Christians. 9.4% said that they did not have a religion.[1]
There was a total of 2,968 households in the neighbourhood, of which 54.5% are owner occupied and 39.4% are council houses. 0.4% of the population live in communal establishments, 84% of which suffer from a long term illness. Of all the households, only 11.1% are considered to not be deprived at all and 7.2% are considered to be overcrowded.[1]
Ashmore Park had an unemployment rate of 7.1%, above the Wolverhampton average of 5.3%. Of the economically inactive, 24.4% are retired.[1]
[edit] Transport
The 59 bus provides regular access to the estate from Wolverhampton, with services roughly every four minutes Monday-Saturday and twelve minutes Sundays. The 528 bus runs approx every 30 mins from Wolverhampton to Bilston via Wood End (Prestwood Road), Ashmore Park (from Linthouse lane then onto Peacock ave) and Willenhall (The Dale). This service runs from approx 0730- 1800. Then the 528E runs from 1810-2210 Wolverhampton to Ashmore Park only. An hourly service. Fares are £1.60 for up to 4 stops and £1.80 beyond.
[edit] Education
The estate is served by Coppice Performing Arts School, a secondary school.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "Area Profile of ASHMORE PARK NEIGHBOURHOOD" (pdf). Wolverhampton City Council. http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/6118DC83-B0AE-480F-9D8A-111B6EC346EB/0/AshmorePark.pdf. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/wolverhamptoneast/ashmore-park.asp
