Nash, Buckinghamshire
Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox UK place
Nash is a village and also a civil parish in Buckinghamshire, England, within the Buckinghamshire Council unitary authority area. It is in the north of the county, about Template:Convert south-west of the centre of Milton Keynes and Template:Convert east of Buckingham. According to the 2011 census, the population total of Nash was 417.<ref name=ONS>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
History
The village name is Anglo Saxon in origin, and means "at the ash-tree".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the Domesday Book of 1086 the village was recorded as Esse. The name went through 'Ash' and 'La Nash' to 'Nash'.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Between 1870 and 1872, Nash was described as
"NASH, a hamlet in Whaddon parish, Bucks; 5½ miles E of Buckingham. Acres, 1, 430. Real property, £1, 813, Pop., 462. Houses, 103. The property is divided chiefly among five. The hamlet forms chief part of the chapelry of Thornton-cum-Nash; and contains the church of that chapelry, a Baptist chapel, and a national school. Nash Common is a meet for the Whaddon Chase hounds."<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Nash was designated a civil parish between 1896 and 1899. Before this it was classed as a hamlet within the parish of Whaddon.<ref name=":0" />
Although there has never been a separate manor in Nash, the manor in neighbouring Whaddon has historically been referred to as the manor of Whaddon and Nash. The earliest mention of the manor pre-dates the modern name of 'Nash', and refers to the manor as that of 'Whaddone with Esse'.<ref name=":0" />
Government
The village is served by a parish council of seven members, who are elected every four years, with the next elections set to take place in 2025.<ref name="parish">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However much of the parish council's role is to advise Buckinghamshire Council who make most of the decisions with regards to maintenance and planning.<ref name="parish" /> Nash's parliamentary constituency is Buckingham and Bletchley.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Geography
The village is located 46 miles (75 km) north west of London<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref> and is about Template:Convert above sea level.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
According to the British Geological Survey, the bedrock consists of Mudstone with superficial deposits of sand and gravel from river terraces and glaciofluvia deposits.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The first Land Utilisation Survey of Britain in the 1930s, found the land around Nash to be predominantly 'Meadowland and Permanent Grass', with some areas of 'Forest and Woodland'.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Demography
The most recent, 2011, census of the UK put the total population of Nash at 417.<ref name="ONS" /> The population has grown sharply since the lowest recorded population total of 214, which was found in the 1961 census.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref> The population previously went through a long period of decline between 1871 (when the highest total population of 460 was recorded) and 1961.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead link</ref>
The ethnic composition of Nash is overwhelmingly white, with just 14 individuals identifying as being from other ethnic groups in the 2011 census.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Just over 60% of the population identify as Christian, whilst more than 37% either stated that they are not religious, or did not state their religion.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The 2011 census also recorded that 43% of the population were in full-time employment, and 11.4% in part-time employment.<ref name="ONS" /> Just 2% of the population were identified as being unemployed, which is lower than the average for Aylesbury Vale (3.1%), and England (4.4%).<ref name="ONS" />
Economy
Of the 212 members of the population in employment, the majority appear to commute to work, with some of the highest employing industries including 'Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motor Cycles' (18.9%) and 'Manufacturing' (9.4%), neither of which take place within the village.<ref name=":1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref> Other sectors with high levels of employment include 'Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities' (13.2%) and 'Education' (12.7%).<ref name=":1" />
This contrasts greatly from some of the traditional industries which were previously common in the village. In 1881, the main industries of the parish were agriculture (40% of the population), and textiles (31% of the population).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Culture and community
Community facilities
After the village school closed in 1948, the building was converted into a community hall for the use of the villagers.<ref name=":2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead link</ref> The hall is available for hire, and is used for community events, including a youth club.<ref name=":2" />
Landmarks
The All Saints Church in Nash dates from 1857 when the foundation stone was laid.<ref name=":0" /> It was based on designs by renowned architect George Edmund Street.<ref name=":0" />
Education
Nash has not had its own school since it closed in 1948.<ref name=":2" /> It now sits within the catchment area of schools in local villages. For aged 4 to 7 this is Whaddon Church of England School, and for 7+ it is covered by Great Horwood Church of England School.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>