Ashley dates Louise Appleton (Emily Symons) for a while and they enjoy each other's company but are not in love and, after crashing in a road accident, they part amicably. Ashley realises Laurel Potts (Charlotte Bellamy) has fallen for him, but initially rebuffs her. When Ashley learns Laurel is leaving the village, he declares his feelings for her. They start a relationship and as Laurel prepares to leave for Tanzania, Ashley proposes. However, Bishop George disapproves and Ashley briefly leaves the church, while he and Laurel try to convince George of their love. Ashley's curate, Ethan Blake (Liam O'Brien), falls for Laurel and when she lets him down, he tells George that her and Ashley's relationship is rocky. He is later exposed and George gives the couple his blessing and marries them. Ashley is horrified to find his widower elderly father, Sandy (Freddie Jones), is in the village and reveals that they fell out because Sandy helped Ashley's mother and his wife Dorothy to die. Ashley reconciles wth his father and he moves in. Ashley's niece Jasmine (Jenna-Louise Coleman) also comes to stay.