Bedfordshire Local History Association

Hello. I am trying to identify a couple of villages in existence in the late 1700’s, early 1800’s. The spellings I have are various and several. The two villages in question are Smedley, and Sturtly/Sturtley/Streatly/Streatly. Any help and information would…

Hi, Hope you can help with this seemingly simple enquiry.  I want to find out the location (road or street) of the “Lipton Market” shop in Bedford. (I’ve attached a photo of the shop) The date would be c1891 to…

Hello, my name is Brian Wedge and I live in Berkhamsted, Herts. I am a member of the International Guild of Knot Tyers and wonder if you could provide any information about the above building. I am asking because in…

I am hoping you can help our family discover why a Great Uncle of ours is buried at Kempston. He was serving with the Royal Engineers in 1916. Name -Thomas Jenkins, Svce No.182786 .plot M 20. Was there a hospital…

I am searching for any references to the Berman/Bermona Hat Factory, Luton; in particular would welcome contact with anyone who worked there. My research is in connection with the Southern Counties Costume Society. Very much hoping you can help. Thank you, Carolyn…

Stuart Antrobus has done a great piece of work to put our postcard collection into 6 albums arranged by town, village and subject. The albums are available to view on Tuesdays (when the Heritage Library in Bedford Central Library is…

I have just read online the excellent article by Daven Chamberlain in Vol. 6 no 4 of your BLHA newsletter Summer 2013, as my 4 x g grandfather Thomas DURRANT (1776/7-1853) was a papermaker, possibly in Bedfordshire, and I am…

As a representative of a local history society we thought you may be interested in the work of the Secrets of the Sands Landscape Partnership. Bedfordshire Rural Community Charity and the Greensand Trust are leading the Secrets of the Sands…

Stuart Antrobus is currently writing captions for a major collection of historic picture postcards (four albums) for Bedfordshire Heritage Library and is having trouble identifying the following photos [see attachments]. He would be grateful for any ideas which could be followed…

The Eighth in the East is a free Heritage Lottery Funded project exploring the legacy of the 8th United States Army Air Force in East Anglia during the Second World War. We are committed to developing people’s skills and bringing communities together…

Can you help with an enquiry concerning Tatterhill Chalgrave.  This was a ruined farmhouse in the 1940’s but can you help with any information with who lived there or where the name came from.  Any suggestions or leads to follow…

I am researching my maternal side of the family who are the Burgess family.  I go to the library when I can to look at the microfiche to clarify what I have already found as regards to marriages births etc.…

I am trying to determine the fate of the railway trucks which were removed from the ‘Blue Lagoon’ at the same time as the Ruston Proctor steam excavator more than 30 years ago !  It was always reputed that the…

My parents were wall of death riders/owners between 1929 – 1953. I know they appeared in Bedford. Can you tell me whether there are any photographs of a wall of death appearing at the fair or whether there are photographs…

I own a historic boat, built in 1928, by H & W Bryant, of Bedford – the builder’s brass plate is in its original position in the boat.  While I have been able to trace some of the boat’s history,…

I am currently undertaking research into John Bunyan’s education and although there is no reliable information that I have found with regard to where and if he actually attended formal schooling, I am interested in two sites. The first is…