Books published by our history societies/local authors
A History of Some Faith Groups in Bedford
A Special Issue of Bedford Local History Magazine, Edited by Bob Ricketts, CBE.
We have tried to be as inclusive as possible, with articles ranging from twentieth-century-built Anglican churches in Bedford and Kempston, a recent evangelical church (The Miracle Church of God in Christ), Bunyan Meeting, the Society of Friends, the Salvation Army, the Jews in Bedford, the Moravians, Rev. John Priestley Wormoll and the revival of Roman Catholicism in Bedford, to the Panacea Society. The Spring 2024 issue of Bedford Local History Magazine includes an authoritative, colour-illustrated article by Paul Nicholson on A History of some Eastern Religious Groups in Bedford.
Published by Bedford Architectural, Archaeological and Local History Society. A4, 92pp, price £5 to non-BAALHS members, available from the Eagle Bookshop, 16–20 St Peter’s Street, Bedford MK40 2NN.
At the Long Ford: A History of Langford, by Michael Rutt;
Ed, Ted Martin. Paperback, 172pp incl indexes.
In 1976 Michael Rutt published his pioneering history of Langford as The People at the Long Ford. As the years went by, some of the text was overtaken by changes in the village and copies of the original book were increasingly hard to find. The Langford & District History Society has republished Michael’s story, now called At the Long Ford, brought up to date with four additional chapters, taking the book into the 21st century. They have added eight new appendices and a comprehensive Subject Index and an Index of Persons.
This book is the only one to contain the complete history of the village from Saxon times to the present day and is a must for anyone wishing to know about Langford’s past.
To purchase the book please pay by PayPal using my email address and one will be delivered, or send cash or a cheque please. The cost for one copy to be posted is £10. Price for collection is £7.50. My pay pal account is as follows J.m.shipman@ntlworld.com or you can buy one from eBay.
Bedford History Timeline, by Alan Crawley and Bob Ricketts
Published by BAALHS, this unique volume is an illustrated ‘timeline’ of Bedford’s history from the sixth century to 1938, covering all the major events in the town’s history. It is dedicated to the memory of Richard Wildman, renowned local historian and former President of BAALHS. The text is matched on the left-hand pages with illustrations of key events, historic buildings, etc, sourced principally from The Higgins Bedford Art Gallery & Museum, Bedfordshire Archives Service and Bedford Borough Libraries. There are introductory chapters on the origins of the town and its early churches. The volume is indexed and has suggestions for further reading, should readers want to follow-up topics of interest.
Published by Bedford Architectural, Archaeological and Local History Society. 2019, Paperback, 94pp, 119 illustrations. Price £8, from the Eagle Bookshop, 16–20 St Peter’s Street, Bedford MK40 2NN or £10 incl postage from Bob Ricketts, 68 Mendip Crescent, Bedford, MK41 9EP.
Bedfordshire Place Names by Anthony Poulton-Smith
The author examines the origins of the names with which we are otherwise so familiar. Towns, villages, districts, hills, streams, woods, farms, fields, streets and even pubs are examined and explained. Some of the definitions give a glimpse of life in the earlier days of the settlement, and for the author there is nothing more satisfying than finding a name which gives such a snapshot. The definitions are supported by anecdotal evidence, bringing to life the individuals and events which have influenced the places and the way these names have developed.
Philip Gray, Fineleaf Publishing, Email: philipgray@mac.com
Bedford Town Centre Statues by Stuart Antrobus
How often does a visitor to a town wonder who ‘that statue over there’ is, or a resident ask ‘what statue?’, having walked passed it everyday? These questions are answered for visitors and residents of Bedford in a new guide Bedford town centre statues: a self-guided walk with street map, by BHRS-member Stuart Antrobus.
The guide features ten statues and a door with relief panels, sculpted over two and a half centuries (1768-2009), of well-known individual Bedfordians and groups who have contributed to the town and county: the First World War memorial; the South African (Boer) War memorial; John Howard; Sir William Harpur; Glenn Miller; the Meeting Group; Verso Domani; Trevor Huddleston; Reflections of Bedford; the Bunyan Meeting bronze chapel doors; and John Bunyan.
Information about each statue is displayed over a double page with a photograph on one side and text on the other, describing the statue, what it commemorates, who the sculptor was and the circumstances in which the statue was put up. Just one page of A5 text contains a fascinating amount of information and often highlights features that it would be easy to overlook, for example the art nouveau decoration on the base of the statue of John Howard.
This guide is carefully researched, beautifully illustrated and well-laid out. It is both handy for the visitor and of lasting value to residents and those interested in the history of the town. Price £5
Obtainable from the Hitchin British Schools Trust at 41/42 Queen Street, Hitchin SG4 9TS by post (£5.60) or in Bedford at the Tourist Information Centre, the Higgins Museum and the John Bunyan Museum. All proceeds to the Hitchin British Schools Trust.
Beats, Boots and Thieves – A History of Policing in North Bedfordshire, By Des Hoar and Richard Handscomb.
Sharnbrook Local History Group. 2013. Paperback, 146 pp, £10 from 24 Loring Road, Sharnbrook, Bedford MK44 1JZ.
Sharnbrook Local History Group has produced this book which tells of the establishment of a professional police force in North Beds. It may have been obvious to do this in urban areas but in the rural parishes of North Bedfordshire things were less clear-cut.
The story of how it happened is told with reference to the characters involved, both the offenders and serving police officers.
Clophill in the Great War Book – Colin Watt
Full details of the book that Colin has published are given in the poster and the following link:
Clophill in the Great War Book Purchase
Colmworth and Neighbours History – Vol 5
To celebrate our tenth birthday in 2011 the Colmworth and Neighbours History Society initiated the publication of a local history journal. A second volume was published in 2013, a third one in 2014, a fourth one late in 2020 and a fifth in 2023.
The price of the CNHS Journal is £6 + p&p £3.
Please contact our Secretary, Simon Beverly on secretary@colmworthhistory.org.uk
Wybridge Cottage, Keysoe, Bedford MK44 2HL
Colmworth and Neighbouring Villages: Then and Now
This is our latest publication, in which we aim to show some of the changes in our village landscape and houses in recent years. We have taken photographs from our archives, some from as early as the 1900s and re-photographed them as near as possible from the same viewpoint in 2018.
The book costs £5 plus £3 post & packing (cheques made payable to Colmworth & Neighbours History Society) and it is available from Simon Beverly, Wybridge Cottage, Keysoe, Bedford MK44 2HL, email: secretary@colmworthhistory.org.uk
Fruit Farming in the Cam Valley by Jonathan Spain
Based on a wide range of sources for the landscape and local historian this book offers a well-researched discussion on fruit farming in Cambridgeshire. It includes a detailed survey of the spatial development of orchards in the Cam Valley from the medieval period to the nineteenth century.
The book is divided into three parts, First it discusses the horticulture of the fruit being grown in the area, including Cambridgeshire’s own ‘Cambridge gage’ and then deals with the social and economic history of orchards and fruit farming in the villages of the fruit farming area, set within a regional and national context.
It is beautifully produced, and includes detailed maps of the fruit-growing villages, identifying where the orchards could once be found. Discussion and oral history on the main farming families of the area adds a human dimension.
Gas Works History
Local gas works are now very much in the past and unknown to the younger generation but are part of our industrial history. Tony Marks has produced two booklets in 2012: The Ampthill Gas and Coke Company, 1848–1936 (40 pages) and the Three Counties Hospital Gas Works, 1857–1952 (32 pages) which give a detailed history of each concern and descriptions of the technology used where necessary. Contact Mr A Marks, 48 Mossbank Avenue, Luton, Beds LU2 9HH.
Henry Clutton: Victorian Architect of Gothic Revival Churches and Country Houses
By Gordon Vowles
The author charts comprehensively the life and achievements of the Victorian architect Henry Clutton. Clutton was an influential mid-Victorian Gothic revivalist architect who designed many churches and country houses. He was a consulting architect to the Anglican National Society (designing Steppingley School) and then the Russell family. Examples of Clutton’s church design in Bedfordshire include the imposing St. Mary’s Church at Woburn, St. Lawrence at Willington, St. Michael-on-the Mount at Woburn Sands, All Saints at Souldrop, and St. Mary at Stevington. Clutton’s Bedfordshire country houses include Sandy Lodge and Shuttleworth Park, Old Warden.
Please Willington Local History Group website to order a copy.
Knighton Grange
An account of the joys and hardships of growing up in late Victorian rural England by Mary Wade (1877—1976) of Souldrop and Odell. Published by Carlton & Chellington Historical Society, Carlton, Bedford. Paperback: 120 pages Price: £5.00 (add £1.20 postage)
Contact Mike Meade for further information (m.l.meade@btinternet.com; 01234 720070)
Langford Then and Now 2006
This book is a co-operation between Ralph Turner and Colin Horsler where Ralph supplied the old photographs and captions and Colin took new photographs of the same locations. They appear on the same page to show the changes that took place over 40, 60 or even 90 years.
Published by Langford & District History Society, 2006. Paperback, 40 pp, 80+ photos, £4
Contact John Shipman (01462 700650) Email: j.m.shipman@ntlworld.com
Langford through the Lens Volume 1, incorporating Langford: A Village Walk
This book was first published in 1990 in response to local demand There is a photograph on every text page in this book taken from the extensive collection compiled by Ralph Turner, Langford’s historian, which grew over the years thanks to the generosity of many people who donated or loaned photographs.
This book in 138 pages (published July 2021) delves into Langford’s past with photographs of personalities and events explained in extensive captions. The reprint has the advantage of incorporating amendments and discoveries made since original publication by means of an errata list and now has Ralph Turner’s Village Walk of 2000 added. Price £7.
Contact John Shipman (01462 700650) Email: j.m.shipman@ntlworld.com
Langford through the Lens, Volume 2
This book in 80 pages offers a selection of old photographs (some with extensive captions) showing all aspects of village life and the personalities involved over the years.
Published by Langford & District History Society. 1992. Paperback, 80 pp, 80+ photos, price £3.
Contact John Shipman (01462 700650) Email: j.m.shipman@ntlworld.com
Life in Bedford during the Second World War by Stuart Antrobus
Bedford historian STUART ANTROBUS has written a new, well-illustrated local history Life in Bedford during the Second World War, published by Bedford Architectural, Archaeological and Local History Society [BAALHS]. A second updated edition is now on sale.
This large-format paperback tells the story of how Bedfordians’ lives were affected by the dramatic upheaval of war between 1939 and 1945. Peppered with the voices and personal experiences of men, women and children who lived through this turbulent period, it captures the life-changing ways in which, while the armed forces fought around the world, people on the Home Front fought their own domestic war locally. The book is illustrated with over 80 photographs, some for the first time.
Evacuation, air raid precautions, conscription, rationing of scarce resources, volunteering, fund-raising, ‘digging for victory’ on allotments and recycling were all activities which became an everyday part of Bedfordians’ lives. Women’s roles changed as they took the place of men in vital industries or supported them in the armed forces. New words and phrases demonstrated the changed wartime world – blackout, sirens, gas masks, ‘all clear’, barrage balloons, ‘phoney war’, ‘make do and mend’, ‘is your journey really necessary?’, identity cards, ration books, GIs, ‘blitz’, ‘black market’, ‘Lord Haw-Haw’, the Home Guard and expressions such as ‘don’t you know there’s a war on?’.
The author outlines the unique impact on Bedford’s life of the presence of BBC radio’s music and religious affairs departments which brought national orchestras and leading musicians to the town, and the Daily Service broadcasts to the nation from St Paul’s Church, Bedford. Similarly, the friendly invasion of thousands of young American servicemen to the airfields of north Bedfordshire brought a new vitality to the lives of all, but especially to Bedford’s women!
Instore at The Eagle Bookshop, 16-20 St Peter’s St., Bedford, MK40 2NN. Tel. 01234 269295. www.eaglebookshop.co.uk Price £11.
By post, for £12.50 (cheque payable to BAALHS) from BAALHS c/o Bob Ricketts, 68 Mendip Crescent, Bedford, MK41 9EP. Tel. 01234 313608
The Life and Times of Sir John Gostwick
Tudor Entrepreneur and Bureaucrat by
In association with Willington Local History Group. £6 plus postage & packing. Available via the Willington Local History Group website or email wlhg2022@gmail.com or on sale at meetings of the Group.
Stevington – The Natural History of a Bedfordshire Parish
This book was inspired by Gilbert White’s Natural History of Selborne (1788-9); we understand that there have been comparatively few systematic studies of the natural history of a single parish since White wrote. The book is the fruit of a study which has taken over eight years’ intensive work. It was constructed in two parts: a Field Survey and a Garden Watch. The Field Survey, led by Jacqueline Gooding, aimed to record the flora and fauna in the open fields of the Parish. The Garden Watch, led by Susan Young, involved numerous householders making a weekly record of garden inhabitants and visitors over a three year period.
Reprinted 2017. Priced at £25 online at http://www.stevingtonhistoricaltrust.org.uk/Stevington-Natural-History/index.html
To arrange to pay on collection postage-free, please contact: Janet Day.Tel: 07843642867
Registered Charity Number: 1086669. www.stevingtonhistoricaltrust.org.uk
The Making of the Sharnbrook Landscape
After three years of concentrated research the Local History project on the landscape of Sharnbrook Parish has been completed. The goal was to determine who owned the land in the parish at any one time and to question how it was managed/farmed. The research included a full review of all documentary evidence (wills, conveyances, gifts etc) and an analysis of the archaeology /fieldwalking done in the last thirty years. This includes both the excavations done by SLHG in collaboration with Prof. Carenza Lewis and the published findings from commercial contracts done as part of the Local Planning process. These results were further expanded by the inclusion of data from the Portable Antiquities scheme sourced by metal detectorists, from datasets available from Academia and from images generated by the National Mapping Programme made available through a licence arrangement with Bedford Borough Historic Environment Record.
The research spanned the periods from Pre-history to modern times. The analysis of spatial information was facilitated by GIS software which allowed new data to be superimposed with modern and ancient maps. The research recognised the importance of the geology and soil types of different parts of the parish and how this influenced the position of certain features.
Where relevant, the features of the landscape in Sharnbrook were compared with surrounding villages or with villages in other parts of the County. The GIS mapping of new datasets has suggested novel interpretations of the published history of the village. In particular, the understanding as to how many ‘Manors’ existed in Sharnbrook at the 1086 Domesday survey is questioned.
The data comparisons were often expanded to include Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire.
The book includes detailed lists of field names and shows both continuity and change over the years. The text describes both the ‘common field system’ where individual tenants farmed dispersed strips and the ‘enclosed’ system, after 1809, where a few landowners concentrated their holdings into manageable estates.
The book also includes wide-ranging information about the families that owned the various estates and documents how land was passed on/ was sold/ was given away/ or even was confiscated. New information on the Triket family is included.
General conclusions are made about the social structures of the village, the dominance of certain families, the land management systems, the relationship with surrounding parishes and the deduction that Sharnbrook is frequently at the ‘edge’.
The book can be ordered via deshoar@globalnet.co.uk or 07307637334.
An additional note from the BLHA Secretary: For those that attended the Bedfordshire Local History Association GIS Workshop in Spring 2018 you will be familiar with some of the data and GIS examples Des has included in this splendid publication. This book clearly demonstrates the value of GIS to modern historical research.
The Parish of St Lawrence, Willington, its Church and Vicars
In a series of excellent histories of Willington by Gordon Vowles. This volume focuses on the parish, the Church of St. Lawrence and Willington’s vicars (from 1229 to 2016). The author traces the history of the church and parish, setting this in the context of wider social and ecclesiastical developments. Price £5 plus P&P
In association with the Friends of St Lawrence, Willington Parish Church and Willington Local History Group. Available via the Willington Local History Group website or email wlhg2022@gmail.com or on sale at meetings of the Group.
The Reverend Augustus Orlebar
In a series of excellent histories of Willington by Gordon Vowles. An account of the life and works of the Reverend Augustus Orlebar, and late-Victorian and Edwardian village life and politics. It provides fascinating insights into the role of ‘Squarson’ as village leader, and should have a much wider appeal than just to those with an interest in Willington’s local history or the Orlebar family. Price £6 plus P&P
In association with the Friends of St Lawrence, Willington Parish Church and Willington Local History Group. Available via the Willington Local History Group website or email wlhg2022@gmail.com or on sale at meetings of the Group.
Willington and the Danes
In a series of excellent histories of Willington by Gordon Vowles. The book explores the period when the village of Willington and the town of Bedford stood directly on the volatile borders between Saxon and Viking (Danish) territories. It critically examines the physical traces, archaeological evidence, and local folklore surrounding the historical Danish presence in the Bedfordshire region.
Price £4 plus P&P, Available via the Willington Local History Group website or email wlhg2022@gmail.com or on sale at meetings of the Group.
Willington and the Russells by Robert Bollington
The book tells the story of Willington from 1774 to 1902 when it formed part of the Duke of Bedford’s Estates. It takes us back to a village of tenant farmers, agricultural labourers and lace-makers. It tells of the changes brought about by the Russell Dukes of Bedford, why they sold the village, and what has shaped it since that time. In telling the story of Willington, this book serves as an example of the wider political, economic and social trends affecting England in the nineteenth century.
Price £4 plus P&P, Available via the Willington Local History Group website or email wlhg2022@gmail.com or on sale at meetings of the Group.
Willington in the Eighteenth Century – The Marlborough Period, by Robert Bollington
This book tells the story of the Bedfordshire village of Willington from the 1720s to the 1770s, when it formed part of the estates of the Duke of Marlborough. The village was then a small farming community led by a few substantial farmers, who served as overseers, church wardens and constables. However, the residents faced rapidly rising welfare costs in the form of poor relief and there was a fine line between prosperity and poverty. One man, who had once ordered the comparative luxuries of tea and coffee from London, ended by receiving a pauper’s burial.
Published by Gostwick Press. 2014. 42pp, £4 from Willington Local History Group Available via the Willington Local History Group website or email wlhg2022@gmail.com or on sale at meetings of the Group.
Willington in the First World War by Robert Bollington
This book tells the story of Willington and its inhabitants during the First World War, from the 69 local men who served on the Western Front, around the Mediterranean, at sea and at home (whose names are commemorated in the Peace Memorial Village Hall) to all aspects of ‘life on the Home Front’.
Published by Gostwick Press. 2018. 95pp, Price £6. Available via the Willington Local History Group website or email wlhg2022@gmail.com or on sale at meetings of the Group.