Lavendon in the News – Edited extracts from local newspapers of the past

160 Years Ago in 1856:

A Clayton and Shuttleworth Threshing Machine – Picture courtesy of www.itsaboutlincoln.co.uk

THRASHING EXTRAORDINARY.—A steam thrashing machine, of Clayton and Shuttleworth’s manufacture, the property of Mr Wm. Sharman, of Lavendon, thrashed out lately, at the Turvey Hall farm, sixty quarters* of wheat in six hours and a quarter.

[*1 Quarter = approx 448lbs corn]

NORTHAMPTON PETTY SESSIONS. Tricks of the Craft.— Samuel Shelton, of Lavendon, was charged with having substituted inferior leather for soling in some army boots which he was making for Messrs. Parker, of this town. He is in the Bucks Yeomanry, and conceiving charity to begin at home, he worked up Messrs. Parker’s superior material some military boots for his special wear, and put his own stuff into the goods of his employers. He was fined £2 8s. and 7s. expenses.

150 Years Ago in 1866:

NEWPORT PAGNELL PETTY SESSIONS.—March 14.
Stealing Bacon. — Henry Wright, and Hannah, his wife, were charged with stealing 4lbs. of bacon belonging to Reuben Cotton, of Lavendon, grocer, on the 12th March. Convicted. Fourteen days’ imprisonment, with hard labour.

110 Years Ago in 1906:

NEWPORT PAGNELL – RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL
A letter was read from the Rev. G. P. Soames, rector of Lavendon, suggesting the formation of a local committee to deal with the sanitation of that parish. The report was adopted, and Mr. Longland gave notice that he should move at the next meeting that a Parochial Sanitary Committee be formed for the parish of Lavendon.
[And the following week]:
Mr. T. Longland moved, and it was carried, that a Parochial Sanitary Committee, consisting of the Rural District Councillors for the parishes Lavendon and Warrington and the Lavendon Parish Council be formed for the parish of Lavendon, the expenditure of such committee not to exceed £50 in respect of any one contract. —lt was resolved to refer the Inspector of Nuisances report on the sanitary condition of Lavendon to the Parochial Committee, and that officer was instructed to summon the first meeting.

90 Years Ago in 1926:

NEWPORT PAGNELL PETTY SESSIONS.
Benjamin Hardy, foreman shunter, 119, Cambridge-street, Rugby, was summoned for not giving audible warning of approach with a motor cycle at Lavendon on March 14th.—Defendant, who pleaded guilty, was stated to have rounded a dangerous corner in the village without sounding his horn. —Supt. Callaway stated that this was the first case at that Court under the particular section of the Act.—Defendant was fined 7s. 6d.

80 Years Ago in 1936:

The notorious Warrington Crossroads, pre-roundabout.

BUCKS COUNTY COUNCIL – HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE
Included in the details of the five year programme were the following: Lavendon by-pass, £15,000; Emberton by-pass, £13,000. Also included were the Warrington Diversion & Crossroads:
Spotley—Warrington cross roads, £8,000; Warrington diversion, £10,000.

The annual Parish Meeting was held in the Schools on Monday, Mr. J. M. Cony presiding. After some discussion slight increases were made in the general and lighting rate. A considerable amount discussion arose on the question of “Should the Parish Council take steps to provide a playing field?”, and it was agreed that the Council should explore the possibilities of this. The proposed by-pass was next discussed and a resolution to ask the County Council to consider taking it farther from the village or to repair the existing road was carried unanimously.

[Subsequently] A meeting of the Playing Fields Committee was held in the schools Monday, Mr. J. M. Cony presiding. Correspondence was read from Mr. Langley Taylor, F.R.I.B.A., Hon. Secretary of the Buckinghamshire branch of the National Playing Fields Association, the question of providing a recreation field. After considerable discussion it was resolved to inquire of various landowners the possibility of purchasing about four acres of land. It was also resolved to inquire of the Playing Fields Association and other bodies as to the amount of assistance the Committee would get from them in purchasing the ground.

70 Years Ago in 1946:

LAVENDON – Following correspondence with the Ministry Health regarding the desirability for additional Council cottages to be built in the village, the British Legion (Lavendon branch) has been informed by the Ministry that the Newport Pagnell Rural Council has been invited to apply for the Minister’s authorization to obtain tenders for the erection of further houses.

RECORD ATTENDANCE – There was a record attendance at a whist drive arranged by the Forces “Welcome Home” Fund Committee, held at the Ambulance Hall on 1st March. Prizes were a goose, given by Mrs. Hartigan, and won by Mrs. Wadsworth, of Turvey; two cockerels, given by Mr. D. Clarke and won by Mr. J. K. Green and Mrs. Clarke; two score eggs, given by Messrs. Cony and Stowe, and won by Miss D. Franklin, of Carlton, and Pte. P. Walkden; and two rabbits, given by Mr. Sanders, and won by Mesdames Leeper and Goddard, of Newton Blossomville. Profits amounted approximately £10.

PARISH COUNCIL – [Following the Parish AGM and elections] The old Parish Council met for the last time at the Infants’ Schoolroom on Monday. The Clerk reported that he had raised the matter of the erection of a post-box and a telephone kiosk for the Council Houses area in Olney Road with the Post Office authorities. Among other points discussed were housing, marking of public footpaths, lighting, and the dilapidated condition of the Cemetery wall.

BRITISH LEGION MEETING – Over forty members of the British Legion were present at a meeting of the Lavendon branch last week. Correspondence was submitted regarding the branch’s resolution requesting the erection of additional houses, and satisfaction was expressed concerning the attention the matter had received both by the Ministry of Health and the Newport Pagnell Rural District Council. The Branch Secretary, Mr. R. G. Panter, reported that almost every ex-Serviceman in Lavendon (all wars) had paid a subscription for the current year. Mr. S. C. Holmes (Chairman) presided, supported by Mr. F. Odell (Vice-Chairman) and Mr. R G. Panter (Hon. Secretary). Mr C. G. Creed (Treasurer) was absent owing to illness.