© Avening Parish Council 2023
“Preserve, Conserve, Enhance”
Welcome
Avening Archive
The Medieval Village of Avening has a rich and
varied past - it grew around the Norman
Church of the Holy Rood (or Holy Cross), which
was built on the site of an earlier Saxon
Church. It is said to have been built in 1080,
being the only church ever to be built by a
Queen of England.
During the Second World War, Avening lay on
GHQ Line. Extensive anti-tank ditches were
constructed to the south and southeast, and
were overlooked by a number of pillboxes. The
defences were constructed as a part of British
anti-invasion preparations.
INSTRUCTIONS:
When you click the ‘More Info’ button in each
section you will be taken to a One Drive site
(you don’t need an account) where you will see
a collection of folders - you are free to explore
the contents and open documents as
required.
Revisit the sections regularly as new content is
being added all the time.
Census information - 1841 to 1911
We have transcribed the census information
from 1841 to 1911, so that you are able to
search and download all of the records to help
with your family trees or general research.
You will find guidance notes, a searchable index,
and the full record for each census.
Avening in the First World War
In Avening Parish Church, the Roll of Honour
shows that the village lost 42 men in the First
World War. Many of the family names can still
be found among the current inhabitants of
Avening.
Military records list a total of 87 men serving in
the forces during the first year of the war. This
was from a total population of 823 in 1914. The
hamlet of Nag’s Head alone sent 17 men from
only 18 houses.
Most of the men served in the Gloucestershire
Regiment; some were in other regiments or the
Royal Navy. One Baptist minister, the Reverend
Edward Fowles, who had been working as a
missionary in China, was enlisted as an officer
in the Chinese Labour Battalions in France
because of his knowledge of Chinese customs
and language.
Avening men fought in nearly all the theatres of
the war, from Flanders to Mesopotamia. Those
who died were killed in action or fatally
wounded at Ypres, Loos, Cambrai, Arras, the
Dardanelles and many other places. Some were
decorated for their bravery, with at least three
Military Medals and two Distinguished Conduct
Medals being awarded to local men.
Click on the WW1 Heroes link to read the stories
of the 42 men who died in the conflict
Avening people
Looking at the characters and people who have
lived in Avening
Buildings and Places
Historic pictures and views of the village
showing the changes that have happened in the
development of Avening.
Start exploring by clicking the ‘More Info ‘
button >>>
Copyright Information
Avening Archive
All items in this archive are the property of
Avening Parish Council and/or the original
owners. The contents cannot be reproduced
or published in any medium without written
approval from the Parish Clerk or the Curator,
but can be downloaded for personal use only.
Groups and Teams
There have been many sports teams and social
groups in the village, and this section brings
together information and photos from long
forgotten and more recent organisations
Village events
We’re all familiar with the village fetes and the
world famous duck racee, but what about It’s a
Knockout from only a couple of decades ago,
and the Pig Face celebration dating back to
Queen Matilda in the 1100’s? This is the place
you need!