Miscellaneous History Items
Buildings
Buildings
Articles about the timber-framed cottages
- Bunyan's Mead - on Elstow's High Street; |
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Bunyan's Mead = Medieval panelling and paintings.
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History of the Old Vicarage on Elstow Green;
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History of the Elstow Pillbox
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Bunyan Christian Fellowship and some history of Education in Elstow
In the 19th century, Bedford's Bunyan Meeting church set up a number of chapels, both in Bedford and surrounding villages, to serve local populations. These were located at:
Biddenham, Blumham, Cardington, Cotton End, Fenlake, Gamlingay, Goldington, Harrowden, Oakley, Renhold, Stagsden. During the 1980s-1990s, each of these branch churches closed, except for the one at Elstow.
An Elstow Sunday School was started in 1811, by Thomas Green and John Brashier, in a cottage just north of the Red Lion pub. The Sunday school attendance grew so that, in 1817, it moved into Moot hall (which, at that time, was still known as the 'Green House'). By 1871, there were 11 teachers and 114 scholars, 20 of whom were aged 15 or over. There was a library of 120 volumes. In 1882, there were 10 teachers, 120 scholars, 96 of whom subscribed to a Clothing Club.
Sunday school superintendants: Thomas Green until 1829; John Hutchings (who then went to be a missionary in Jamaica) Abraham Smith until 1839; William Wells Kilpin (mayor of Bedford in 1856); Thomas Carling 1857-1871; WJ Robinson 1872-1890; 1890-1927 RH Poynter & W Cirket; from 1927 PW Townsend. There were nine other teachers, including Frank and Sidney Pestell.
An average of 97 children attended each Sunday morning and afternoon. Girls were taught upstairs, boys downstairs.
The Elstow chapel was set up in about 1812, based in Moot Hall. The larger upstairs room was opened for preaching, and SS teaching, in 1846. Records of attendances at Bedford churches show that the Elstow Bunyan Chapel's services of evening worship regularly attracted congregations that were larger than those of the nearby Anglican Abbey church. (John Bunyan would, no doubt, have been pleased to see this!)
As early as 1863, a young women's bible class was flourishing.
In the 1870s, an appeal was launched for the erection of a Bunyan Memorial Church. T Mercer drew a design for it in the Vistorian classic style. Although some funds were collected, the project was abandoned because of the difficulty of getting ground on which to build. In 1878, the trustees decided to spend the funds on preserving and substantially restoring the Green house. (Photographs from the late 1800s show the Green house looking somewhat shabby on the outside so, presumably, these funds were mainly spent on the interior.)
In 1880, TH Phillips of Kempston was given oversight of Elstow and Kempston Bunyan Meetings.
In 1906, a Band of Hope register was set up by Dora Pestell and Maud Cirket. (I am currently researched this so, hopefully, will be able to add more information here soon.)
During the Rev. W Charter Piggott's ministry, Samuel Whitbread presented a site and new plans were drawn up for building a Bunyan Memorial Hall. This version is a pleasing half-timbered design, in great contrast to the 1874 version.
On May 19th 1910, the foundation stone was laid and the hall was opened on 27th October. Dr John Brown, Mr Piggott, RH Poyter and EP Rose were present. EP Rose presented a large stained glass window, which was unveiled by TE Rose.
On Friday 28th October, RH Poyter gave a tea in the new hall for the scholars and teachers of Elstow Sunday School and each scholar received a copy of The Pilgrim's Progress. A photograph, probably taken at that event shows a membership of almost 100 children and 28 adults - presumably teachers and / or parents. (See Photo, below.)
Biddenham, Blumham, Cardington, Cotton End, Fenlake, Gamlingay, Goldington, Harrowden, Oakley, Renhold, Stagsden. During the 1980s-1990s, each of these branch churches closed, except for the one at Elstow.
An Elstow Sunday School was started in 1811, by Thomas Green and John Brashier, in a cottage just north of the Red Lion pub. The Sunday school attendance grew so that, in 1817, it moved into Moot hall (which, at that time, was still known as the 'Green House'). By 1871, there were 11 teachers and 114 scholars, 20 of whom were aged 15 or over. There was a library of 120 volumes. In 1882, there were 10 teachers, 120 scholars, 96 of whom subscribed to a Clothing Club.
Sunday school superintendants: Thomas Green until 1829; John Hutchings (who then went to be a missionary in Jamaica) Abraham Smith until 1839; William Wells Kilpin (mayor of Bedford in 1856); Thomas Carling 1857-1871; WJ Robinson 1872-1890; 1890-1927 RH Poynter & W Cirket; from 1927 PW Townsend. There were nine other teachers, including Frank and Sidney Pestell.
An average of 97 children attended each Sunday morning and afternoon. Girls were taught upstairs, boys downstairs.
The Elstow chapel was set up in about 1812, based in Moot Hall. The larger upstairs room was opened for preaching, and SS teaching, in 1846. Records of attendances at Bedford churches show that the Elstow Bunyan Chapel's services of evening worship regularly attracted congregations that were larger than those of the nearby Anglican Abbey church. (John Bunyan would, no doubt, have been pleased to see this!)
As early as 1863, a young women's bible class was flourishing.
In the 1870s, an appeal was launched for the erection of a Bunyan Memorial Church. T Mercer drew a design for it in the Vistorian classic style. Although some funds were collected, the project was abandoned because of the difficulty of getting ground on which to build. In 1878, the trustees decided to spend the funds on preserving and substantially restoring the Green house. (Photographs from the late 1800s show the Green house looking somewhat shabby on the outside so, presumably, these funds were mainly spent on the interior.)
In 1880, TH Phillips of Kempston was given oversight of Elstow and Kempston Bunyan Meetings.
In 1906, a Band of Hope register was set up by Dora Pestell and Maud Cirket. (I am currently researched this so, hopefully, will be able to add more information here soon.)
During the Rev. W Charter Piggott's ministry, Samuel Whitbread presented a site and new plans were drawn up for building a Bunyan Memorial Hall. This version is a pleasing half-timbered design, in great contrast to the 1874 version.
On May 19th 1910, the foundation stone was laid and the hall was opened on 27th October. Dr John Brown, Mr Piggott, RH Poyter and EP Rose were present. EP Rose presented a large stained glass window, which was unveiled by TE Rose.
On Friday 28th October, RH Poyter gave a tea in the new hall for the scholars and teachers of Elstow Sunday School and each scholar received a copy of The Pilgrim's Progress. A photograph, probably taken at that event shows a membership of almost 100 children and 28 adults - presumably teachers and / or parents. (See Photo, below.)
In June 1911, the centenary of the Elstow Sunday School was celebrated.
In 1927, Mrs Roberts presented the church with a reading desk and vases.
In 1929, Frank Cirket presented wooden rails to enclose the communion table and chairs. The National Sunday School Union presented Long Service Diplomas to: Mrs RH Poynter - for 52 years of Sunday School work; WA Cirket for 46 years; John Wells for 25 years. The cause of Bunyan Meeting Elstow owes much to thye devotion of families such as the Poynters, Cirkets, Pestells, Wells and Steel. Mrs Poynter died in 1940 and WA Cirket in 1945.
Activities at Elstow included a Cricket club, a Girls' Brigade Company and a weekly fellowship meeting. The Sunday School continued to flourish under the leadership of PW Townsend.
In January 2005, the Elstow congregation became fully independent from the Bedford Bunyan Meeting church. It joined the Congregational Federation and adopted the name "Elstow Bunyan Christian Fellowship".
Primary and secondary education
During most of the 1800s, a National School was run at Moot Hall.
There was also a night school operating there, probably for young people who were working during the daytime.
There was also the possibility of gaining a scholarship to one of Bedford's Harper Trust schools. A scholarship could be gained by passing an examination, set by the Trust. (This was superseded after 1944 when the establishment of state grammar schools brought about the introduction of the controversial 11 -plus exam.)
Following the 1870 Education act, a Board School was set up in Elstow and, in 1873, a purpose-built school, located at the northern end of Elstow's High Street,was opened. The first headmaster of Elstow school was Thomas James. He served from 1873 to 1921. Mr James was succeeded by Robert ('Bob') Wadsworth, who served until 1949. Mr Wadsworth was a very strict headmaster but was, in several ways, an innovative man, ahead of his time, for he: introduced school meals long before they became universal; ran an experiment in agricultural education - the school had an allotment plot on the west side of Elstow high Street, where Bob taught pupils how to cultivate the soil and grow crops.
But Bob Wadsworth is probably best known for reviving Elstow's May Festival. in 1925. He can be seen in many of the photographs in our 1920s to 1949 May Festival photo albums.
During most of the 1800s, a National School was run at Moot Hall.
There was also a night school operating there, probably for young people who were working during the daytime.
There was also the possibility of gaining a scholarship to one of Bedford's Harper Trust schools. A scholarship could be gained by passing an examination, set by the Trust. (This was superseded after 1944 when the establishment of state grammar schools brought about the introduction of the controversial 11 -plus exam.)
Following the 1870 Education act, a Board School was set up in Elstow and, in 1873, a purpose-built school, located at the northern end of Elstow's High Street,was opened. The first headmaster of Elstow school was Thomas James. He served from 1873 to 1921. Mr James was succeeded by Robert ('Bob') Wadsworth, who served until 1949. Mr Wadsworth was a very strict headmaster but was, in several ways, an innovative man, ahead of his time, for he: introduced school meals long before they became universal; ran an experiment in agricultural education - the school had an allotment plot on the west side of Elstow high Street, where Bob taught pupils how to cultivate the soil and grow crops.
But Bob Wadsworth is probably best known for reviving Elstow's May Festival. in 1925. He can be seen in many of the photographs in our 1920s to 1949 May Festival photo albums.
1895 Moot Hall lease document
More of the history of the Bunyan chapel and Sunday School; |
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Plans, and information about the opening, of the new Bunyan Memorial Hall;
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A series of articles about the history of education in Elstow.
Include detailed information about the Sunday school in Moot Hall. |
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A short personal history of a family who attended Bunyan Meeting chapel in the mid 1900's;
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Events
Bunyan's Mead. 1976 restoration - 3 newspaper articles |
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Other assorted pieces of historical information
The content of each item should, hopefully, be fairly obvious from its file name.
If not, click it anyway and see what you discover!
For details about Elstow's Horse Racing Track click on cow_meadow.pdf link, below, to download the file.
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Lacemaking
For an album of lace-makers' photographs click here - to go to the 'Old Elstow' album in our Picture Archive - the 'Lacemakers' section is about half way down that page.
People
Bowler and Berwicks
This Bowler family file contains the family tree of the Bowler family plus some photos and other information, including their connections to the Berwick. Roberts and Cirket families. It also includes information about Sarah Bowler, who was the 90 year old curator of Moot Hall in the 192os. Photos of Sarah can be found on these two pages: Old Elstow - Lacemakers and local people 1920s May Festivals |
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Cirkets
This was another large local family. This image is of Clive Arnold's abridged version of their family tree. |
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Coopers
The Coopers file contains an account of Elstow history by Joy Cooper-Watson. It includes information about her family. The Coopers are depicted making lace, in an album on this page. |
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Cox Family
Ellen Cox (1905-1985) wrote an interesting account of her early life growing up in West End, Elstow. Ellen actually went to Sunday school in Moot Hall, before the Bunyan Memorial Hall was built in 1910 and was present at the opening of the new Bunyan Memorial Hall in 1910. |
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Countess Judith - founder of Elstow Abbey - and her husband
Waltheof, Earl of Huntingdon and Northumbria
To learn more about these two, we recommend 'Of the ring of Earls' Juliet Dymoke Dobson Books 1970.
To read accounts written in Judith's time, download the 'Revolt of the Earls', document - link immediately below.
Waltheof, Earl of Huntingdon and Northumbria
To learn more about these two, we recommend 'Of the ring of Earls' Juliet Dymoke Dobson Books 1970.
To read accounts written in Judith's time, download the 'Revolt of the Earls', document - link immediately below.
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Thomas Dun - Elstow's infamous 11th century son As well as being the birthplace of John Bunyan, who was famous for positive reasons, Elstow was also the birthplace of one of Britain's worst criminals and murderers - Thomas Dun. Joseph Bramwell Graham CBE
Bramwell Graham lived in Elstow Lodge from 1927 (soon after it was rebuilt in 1925) until May 1951. He was the clerk and solicitor to Bedfordshire County Council. By all accounts, he was well liked and respected. Every so often, he and his family would have to move out of Elstow lodge, to allow the visiting circuit Judges to stay there, whilst Beds County Court was in session. Bramwell worked closely with Sir Thomas Keenes, the chairman of Beds CC, on the CC's Festival of Britain committee. (See article 1/2 way down Moot Hall history page.) He, alongside Sir Thomas, lead the project to restore Moot Hall and to organise its grand opening in May 1951. Unfortunately, on Monday 28th May, just a few days before the scheduled opening day, Bramwell died of a heart attack. Sir Thomas suggested that they should delay the opening, out of respect for Bramwell but the family insisted that Bramwell would have wanted the ceremony to go ahead. For more biographical information; Beds Archive page Sir Samuel Luke of Cople
Luke was MP for Bedford and the governor of Newport Pagnell garrison, where Bunyan served during the Civil War. Engineering
The Saunderson engineering factory was located on the west side of Cow Bridge, beside Kempston Road.
In 1898 Saunderson demonstrated a "Self Moving Vehicle" at a trial, organised at the Royal Show, which it unfortunately failed to complete because of engine failure. It was priced at £250 but it is not known if any were sold. However, by the early 1900's production of 3 wheeled multi purpose tractors was proceeding and by 1910 4-wheeled models joined the range. Some of these were powered by Crossley engines. By the start of the Great War, conventional tractors were being produced just in time for the sales boom caused by the wartime labour shortage. In 1922 they introduced a new light Tractor. This had a two-cylinder 'V'-formation petrol-paraffin engine. This was a 20 hp (15 kW) unit, giving 12 hp (8.9 kW) on the draw bar. The tractor had a 3-year warranty. For a short time, Saunderson was Britain's biggest tractor makers. This success was not to last as the 1920's agricultural slump hit sales of all tractor manufacturers. Crossley Brothers took over the business in 1924and the Saunderson tractors were rebranded as Crossley. As a result of the takeover, Crossley also entered railway locomotive making for one year, as work in hand included three petrol-powered locomotives for Beswicks Limeworks of Hindlow, Derbyshire. The factory at Bedford continued in operation for many years making small stationary engines as well as agricultural machinery. It was sold in the mid 1930's and became known as the Bedford Plough and Engineering, the factory continuing to operate until the 1970's. |
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