The History of Stede

Have you ever asked, 'What was Ashtead like before we lived here?' or, 'What was here before our house was built?' If you have, you will enjoy A History of Ashtead, researched and written by the Leatherhead & District Local History Society.

One of its contributors is historian, Howard Davies. Howard has lived in Ashtead a mere 38 years compared with his wife Kathleen who was born and bred here. It was from conversations with her father, David Beasley, who moved to Ashtead in 1900, that Howard drew much of inspiration for the book.

His love of history, plus a personal interest in the church, and the railways, gave Howard a fresh approach to new research for the book.

Kathleen soon found herself involved in the book as they talked through Howard's work, choosing photographs and writing captions. She enjoyed the chapters on community care most of all. Howard & Kathleen met through the churches of St Giles & St George, when the Church Council sent them to a Missionary Summer School in Wales!

About six years ago, Howard and Alan Gillies, a close friend, member of St Giles and also a contributor to the book, felt there was a need for a new History of Ashtead, one that was not too esoteric and would be a "good read". They agreed to concentrate on the last two centuries. The early chapters provide fascinating glimpses into Pre-Historic & Roman Ashtead, through the Middle Ages and into the 18th century when the village began to grow into what it is today.

Howard hopes the younger generation will read it. "I would like to think that it will give members of new young families a sense of belonging so they can settle quickly and feel rooted in our community."

This book appeals to all ages and is helpful for school projects: "It's nice to know about where you live and what happened before you were there," said 14-year old Andrew Lane. Andrew was intrigued by Ashtead connections with famous historic figures, including William the Conqueror, Samuel Pepys, and Sir Robert Howard, and by accounts of skeletons dating from the 7th century, recently found at Ermyn Way.

The local History Society meets on the third Friday of the month at 8 pm at the Leatherhead Institute.

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