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

160 Years Ago in 1855 – On Saturday night [6th Oct], a fire was discovered in large barn, which was full of barley, belonging to Mr. Brooks, of Lavendon Grange. This was all burnt; but, fortunately, the wind was in good direction to prevent further mischief. Both are supposed to be the acts of an incendiary; but at present no clue has been discovered of the offenders.

150 Years Ago in 1865 – Ornithology. — Shot by John Perry, Esq., of Lavendon Mills, Olney, Bucks., the Eared Grebe. (Podiceps auritus, le Grebe oreillard of Temminck.) This rare and singular bird’s peculiarities are, when resting on the land it lies at full length and shuffles along like a seal, pushing itself onward by striking the ground with its feet. Ill adapted for the land, the Grebe is admirably adapted for water: it swims well, owing to the flatness of its body, and when diving in pursuit of its prey uses its wings to add to its velocity. The specimen has been sent to Mr. Mantel, Mill-street, Bedford, to be preserved.

140 Years Ago in 1875 – Heavy Floods. —As a natural result of the heavy and continuous rainfall of Saturday night last the Ouse became swollen to an unusual degree. During Sunday night especially the rise was so rapid that the lowlands lying on each bank of the river were speedily covered to a considerable depth. An immense volume of water came sweeping down from the upper part of the river, and live stock, that happened to be out, became exposed to great peril. Mr. Parris, of Lavendon, had a number of sheep surrounded by the water, and before they could be rescued, seven were drowned. At Lavendon Mills the river rose very rapidly, and the water soon entered the lower storey of the building, doing considerable mischief. During Monday night the waters began to abate, and are now gradually subsiding.

LAVENDON.—Shocking Accident.—On Tuesday last, a man named John Holmes, was working with a thrashing machine on Mr. Church’s farm, in this village, when in some way his leg became entangled in the machinery, and was torn completely off. The poor sufferer was at once conveyed to the Bedford Infirmary, and on his arrival there was in a most precarious condition.

120 Years Ago in 1895 – In the parish of Lavendon, Bucks., it appears that the total number of persons in receipt of relief is eighteen, and their ages average seventy-eight years—nine of them averaging eighty-two.

80 Years Ago in 1935 – Lavendon celebrated their Church Patronal Festival last week in the Ambulance Hall. The dances at the beginning were not very well attended, but on Wednesday Billy Dooley and party (conjurers and variety entertainers) attracted a large audience. This must have been gratifying to the organizers. On Thursday a Girl Guides’ camp fire, and songs and recitations by the school children were given. There was a large audience. Another dance was held on 4th October. Mr. Robbins was M.C. To wind up the week there was a tea, social, and dance on Saturday night, the arrangements being in the hands of the Rector and the Church Council. Any profits were to be given to the church restoration fund, but it is regrettable that there were none this year.

Lavendon Parish Council – It was decided to write to the County Council asking if a suitable sign could not placed at the corner of Castle Road showing the way to Northampton, so many motorists went the wrong way.

WORKS FOREMAN KNOCKED DOWN – On 17th October while watching the men at work on the telephone cable in Northampton Road, Mr. G. Mortimer, the foreman, was knocked down by a passing motor and received severe wound in the head. He was taken into Mr. F. Ingram’s house where he was attended to by the doctor and was later removed in the Olney Motor Ambulance to Bedford County Hospital. Mr. Mortimer was discharged from the Hospital on Tuesday.

70 Years Ago in 1945 – “BORROWED” BUS “TOTAL WRECK” AFTER CRASH – A MOTOR-BUS taken from a parking-place at Olney was later found on the Olney – Lavendon road upside down and a “total wreck.” As an outcome of this four soldiers were summoned at Newport Pagnell Magistrates’ Court…. Millward is an Olney man who was home on leave. The other three were from the camp at Brayfield House…. Evidence was that the incident followed a dance at Olney. Inspector W. Merry said that in the early hours of Sunday morning, Sept. 23, the bus was found upside down on the Olney-Lavendon road. It was a total wreck. Nathan was driving the vehicle when it met with an accident through the driver taking a right-hand bend at too great a speed. It went over the grass verge, crossing two or three gulleys and mounted a heap of stones finally coming to rest upside down in the centre of the road. Prior to the accident the bus had been driven by Millward. The Inspector understood that the total damage to the vehicle was £500. The speedometer had jammed at 55 miles an hour. It was also stated in evidence that the Olney soldier gave the other a joy ride to Emberton and round the clock tower. Then he stayed behind at Olney and another man drove the bus. It was said that he lost control when it went on the grass verge, mounted a heap of stones, and crashed. One of the defendants said they were under the influence of drink.

ALLEGED DAMAGE BY EXPLOSIVES Lavendon Parish Council, having been instructed by parishioners to protest to the War Office regarding damage being said to be caused by the demolition of explosives in Lavendon and district, duly placed the matter in the hands of Flt- Lieut. Aidan Crawley, M.P., who raised it with the Under-Secretary of the War Office. The Council has now been informed that, as far as the British Army is concerned, these operations will cease forthwith. As regards compensation for alleged damage, an officer of the War Damage Commission has visited the village to assess the amount of repair and cost that might be necessary. A letter has been addressed to the United States Air Force authorities, requesting them to do the same.

Edited extracts from local newspapers of the past

210 years ago in 1805 – an inquisition was taken at Lavendon before one of the Coroners for the county of Buckinghamshire, on the body of Mary Simcoe, who was found dead in a field adjoining the town. It appeared that the deceased was subject to fits, and happening to be seized with one while alone, she was strangled by a black ribbon which she wore about her neck. Verdict—Died by the Visitation of God.

170 years ago in 1845 – an Inquest was held at Olney in to the death of William Warren age 14 years. On 19th August he had gone to Lavendon Mills for the purpose of fishing. Despite cautions by Mr Perry and his son, the deceased persisted in mounting a pony. Once on the pony he gave it a blow with his hand and the pony turned, throwing the deceased on to the ground and landing on his head. He was conveyed to the mill house and, despite every assistance, died on the following Monday – verdict accidental death.

160 years ago in 1855 – a sermon was preached on Wednesday, 26th September, by the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Oxford, in the parish church of Lavendon, and a collection was made in aid of the funds for the National and Infant Schools recently built in the village.

120 years ago in 1895 – Newport Pagnell Petty Sessions: The Vaccination Prosecutions*. There was a good deal of excitement in Newport when several lots of furniture seized from residents in Olney, Lavendon, etc., for noncompliance with the Vaccination Laws, were sold by public auction. Prior to the sale a public meeting was held on the Market Hill and addresses condemnatory of Compulsory Vaccination were given. A resolution was unanimously carried protesting against the action of the Newport Board of Guardians, in instituting prosecutions. People had been asked not to bid at the auction, but several persons bid for their own goods, and one, who bid contrary to the desire of those present, was gone for, having to be escorted by the police, and to take refuge in the Auction Hotel. The sale realised about £7, or one-third of the expenses involved by the prosecutions. Mr F Green of Lavendon was issued with a fine or seven days prison in default. (The following month he was reported as being in prison).

*(Wikipedia) Note: Under the Vaccination Act of 1867, the poor-law guardians were to control vaccination districts formed out of the parishes, and pay vaccinators from 1s to 3s per child vaccinated in the district (the amount paid varied with how far they had to travel).
Within seven days of the birth of a child being registered, the registrar was to deliver a notice of vaccination; if the child was not presented to be vaccinated within three months, or brought for inspection afterwards, the parents or guardians were liable to a summary conviction and fine of 20s. An 1873 Act made vaccination compulsory.

90 Years Ago in 1925 – Newport Pagnell Petty Sessions: Bad Language. Edward Clark, a labourer from Cold Brayfield, and William Weed, a gardener from High Street, Turvey, were summoned for using indecent language at Lavendon on Saturday, August 22. PC Trevener of Lavendon said he heard the defendants 60 yards away. Police-Supt. Callaway pointed out he had recently received many complaints from Lavendon of the language used late at night there by young men. The Chairman added that he was aware of the language being used in the district, and it was regrettable that people could not go out for a walk without using or hearing such language. Weed was fined 10s. and Clark, who did not appear, 12s. 6d.

Charles Edward Cook, a confectioner of Rushden, was summoned for using a motor cycle and sidecar with the Road Fund Licence not in a waterproof holder at Lavendon. A fine of 5s. 6d. was imposed.

70 Years Ago in 1945 – Lavendon New Village Hall Fund: The annual public meeting to consider accounts and elect officers for the coming year took place at the Schools on 12th September. Everybody was cordially welcomed.
Forces Fund: A resolution, to replace the Forces Fund with a Welcome Home Fund on 31st December next, was carried at a meeting of the Lavendon District Branch of the British Legion, held at the Horseshoe Inn. All men and women serving in H.M. Forces, and those demobilized during this year, will receive an equal share of the present Forces Fund, until it is wholly expended. When this has been done, other organizations will be invited to cooperate with the Legion to form a Village Committee, who will institute the Welcome Home Fund. The Branch Secretary, Mr. R. Panter, was instructed to notify the Parish Council accordingly, who have already promised their support.
Parish Council: It was resolved to make immediate arrangements to entertain the children to a Victory tea party, etc., shortly.