Modern Elstow
This page of the 'Modern Elstow' section contains a few small albums and links to all of the larger Modern Elstow albums.
Regular visitors, please note that several small albums, which used to be on this page, have now been relocated:
'Bunyan's birthplace' -updated and moved to John Bunyan page.
'Hillersden' and 'Tea Garden' albums - moved to Church End page.
'Old Rectory restoration' album - moved to The Green page.
'Thomas James Close' - moved to High Street page.
Artworks
Please do not reproduce any of these images without the prior permission of the artist.
Pillbox
Dr Michael Osbourne; The Elstow Pillbox was built in 1942, in what is now Progress Retail Park (that is the one to the east of the B530 where the B & Q and M & S stores are located). The pillbox is located on the northern side of Sam Clark Way, immediately on the left as you turn off the roundabout into the retail park and is partly hidden by the crash barrier (see last photo, below.)
Working on the assumption that the German army might invade this country, a string of pillboxes built during WWII around the Bedford/Ampthill area, to protect the London-Midland railway and Elstow munitions factory. They were abandoned in 1944 when it became obvious that invasion was no longer likely and were allowed to fall derelict.
Work to restore the Elstow pillbox, and to preserve it as an historic monument, started in June 2018. The work was carried out by builder Pelham Chambers from Kempston.
It was opened by Gerald Garner of the Gale Family Trust, who sponsored the restoration and contributed the largest amount of funds. Other contributors were: Malcom Hendrickson of Hendrickson Roofing; Tim Hill, Liberal Democratic Councillor; the builder Pelham Chambers.
If you want to see inside, please contact Jon Miles on 07709 879 245 to make an appointment.
Working on the assumption that the German army might invade this country, a string of pillboxes built during WWII around the Bedford/Ampthill area, to protect the London-Midland railway and Elstow munitions factory. They were abandoned in 1944 when it became obvious that invasion was no longer likely and were allowed to fall derelict.
Work to restore the Elstow pillbox, and to preserve it as an historic monument, started in June 2018. The work was carried out by builder Pelham Chambers from Kempston.
It was opened by Gerald Garner of the Gale Family Trust, who sponsored the restoration and contributed the largest amount of funds. Other contributors were: Malcom Hendrickson of Hendrickson Roofing; Tim Hill, Liberal Democratic Councillor; the builder Pelham Chambers.
If you want to see inside, please contact Jon Miles on 07709 879 245 to make an appointment.
Other 'Modern Elstow' Albums
Our larger 'Modern Elstow' albums are located on individual pages. Here are links to them:
Abbey Church
Bunyan's Mead
Church End
High Street
Moot Hall
People and Events
Pilgrim House
Southern Elstow
The Green
The Swan development
West End
Abbey Church
Bunyan's Mead
Church End
High Street
Moot Hall
People and Events
Pilgrim House
Southern Elstow
The Green
The Swan development
West End
