Population 356 (2011) Civil parish Askham Country England Local time Sunday 7:19 PM District Eden District UK parliament constituency Penrith and The Border | OS grid reference NY6813 Region North West Sovereign state United Kingdom Shire county Cumbria Dialling code 01931 | |
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Weather 6°C, Wind SW at 32 km/h, 72% Humidity | ||
Askham is a village and civil parish in the Eden District of Cumbria, England. According to the 2001 census the parish had a population of 360, decreasing slightly to 356 at the 2011 Census. It is situated in the eastern edge of the Lake District National Park, about 5 miles (8.0 km) south of Penrith. Nearby are the remains of Lowther Castle, the site of the annual Lowther Show, a three-day event of country pursuits.
Contents
Map of Askham, UK
Many public houses, such as the 'Punch Bowl', have old beams with splits in them where coins are forced 'for luck'. This practice may be linked to examples, called 'Wish Trees', often Hawthorns which are traditionally linked with fertility, as in 'May Blossom'. The trunk and branches in these cases are covered with hundreds of coins which have been driven through the bark and into the wood. The local traditions are that a wish will be granted for each of the coins so treated (Rodger 2006).
Another local custom is the throwing of coins from the bridge onto a boulder that lies below the water level. Getting the coin to stay on the rock gives the thrower 'good luck'. These are examples of 'Touch Pieces'. Obvious connections exist with water generally and the practice of throwing in coins to seek 'favours' of the water spirits.
Governance
An electoral ward in the same name exists. This ward stretches south to Bampton with a total population of 1,432.