Cold Ashton

The Domesday Book was a "Great Survey" completed in 1086 used largely in order to determine taxes to be owed as well as holdings and values of people. As such, very brief, listed descriptions were given to settlements such as Cold Ashton.

Such insights relate to the population as of 1086, saying "Total population: 8 households (quite small)."[7] There is also some description of the village's tax, saying "Taxable units: Taxable value 5 exemption units. Taxed on 3.0."[7] There is also some description of the village's resources, saying "Ploughland: 1 lord's plough team's. 3 men's plough teams. Other resources: Meadow 6 acres. 1 mill, value 0.2."[7]

The BBC's Domesday Reloaded, used to give a more updated look in 1986 of everyday life across UK[8] following the original Domesday Book 900 years previous, was partaken within Cold Ashton. Such insights relate to the church, the village's ecology and the village's education facilities as of 1986, saying

There are fears about the future of the Church in Cold Ashton, which has difficulty in paying its Diocesan Quota. Not only the church goers want to keep the church, nearly all the residents want to see it maintained and used.[9] There are about 30 on the electoral role and an average attendance of about 15.[10]

The area lies upon a Cotswold escarpment known locally as the 'South Wolds'. The highest point on this upland reaches some 200 metres above sea level and falls away sharply to the South. Land mass is mainly limestone, used frequently in dry stone walling.[11]

There are no schools in the area covered, the nearest being a Primary school in Marshfield, 2 miles away and Comprehensives at Sir Bernard Lovell, Oldland and Kingsfield, Warmley, 5 miles distant, for which school buses are provided.[12]

Total population of Cold Ashton civil parish, Gloucestershire, as reported by the Census of Population from 1801 to 2011.

The time series shows how, from 1801 to 1851, Cold Ashton grew in total population size by over double to nearly five hundred. After then, however, the graph highlights how after almost every ten-year period there has been a fall in total population. This has resulted in population density falling to 0.2 (number of persons per hectare) as of 2011, much lower than the South Gloucestershire average of 5.3 and national average of 4.1.[2]

Unemployment in Cold Ashton as of 2011 is at 1.2%, which compares favorably with elsewhere. It's more than two times lower than the South Gloucestershire average of 2.8% and more than three times lower than the national average of 4.4%. This is largely because of much higher levels on self-employment at 32.0%, compared to the county's 8.9% average and 9.8% national average. This makes up for the lack of full-time employment, of which is 29.1% compared to the county's 42.9% average and 38.6% national average.[2]

Economic activity in Cold Ashton, South Gloucestershire and nationwide, as reported by the Census of Population in 2011

Levels of very good health in Cold Ashton as of 2011 compare well with county and national levels, being 52.9%, 49.1% and 47.2% respectively. Levels of very bad health in Cold Ashton, however, compare badly with county and national levels, being 1.8%, 0.9% and 1.2% respectively.[13]

Occupational data of Cold Ashton in 1881 highlights how - based on occupations that have been identified - the greatest sector for employment was agriculture with 80 workers, with domestic service or offices behind that with 23 workers. Professionals, workers in dress and workers in various vegetable substances all only have 1 worker. It can also be noted how a large number of women workers have their occupation as unknown.[14]

Occupational data of Cold Ashton as of 1881, as shown by Vision of Britain.