Tag Archives: History

Various items of historical interest associated with the people and parish of Lavendon and/or its neighbouring communities.

Lavendon Airfield – Memorial Unveiling Ceremony

 

LAVENDON AIRFIELD – AN INVITATION

Many people are unaware that Lavendon had its own airfield in times past. It was established by the then Royal Flying Corps in October 1916 during the Great War. Following the end of the latter the airfield was adopted by a handful of wealthy private air enthusiasts who later went on to found the Northamptonshire Aero Club at nearby Sywell.

The Lavendon Airfield was sited adjacent to the Harrold Road in the long field that runs downhill from Lavendon Wood towards Snip Wood on the opposite side of the road. The charity ‘Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust’ has kindly donated a granite plaque to the village community which has been installed on the wall in front of the Village Hall for all to see. The Chairman of the Lavendon Branch of the Royal British Legion has very kindly agreed to unveil the plaque at the Hall in a brief ceremony immediately after the conclusion of the Remembrance Service adjacent to the Lavendon War Memorial, circa 11.30am this Sunday, 11th November 2018.

You are warmly invited to attend the brief unveiling ceremony and to hear a little more about our almost forgotten WW1 Lavendon Airfield.

Shown in the photo below, Geoffrey Linnell was a former Flight Lieutenant in the Naval Wing of the Royal Flying Corps. He based his own red Gypsy Moth aircraft at the Lavendon Airfield after WW1.

Geoffrey Linnell – 19th April 1917

18th Nov 2018: Book Presentation by the Arts Society of North Bucks: Lavendon Church

The following is an invitation from Lavendon Parochial Church Council for members of the Lavendon History Group and others with a particular interest:

The Arts Society of North Bucks: Recordings of Lavendon Church Book Presentation

Lavendon’s 1000 year old Church

Over the past two years the Arts Society of North Bucks have been recording the contents of Lavendon Church.

On Sunday 18th November 2018 they will be presenting a leather bound copy of their recordings under the ‘Recording of the past for the future scheme.’

The presentation will take place during the normal 9.30 am Sunday service.

Coffee and tea will be served after the service.

 

A Lavendon Timeline – Anniversaries in August 2016

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

Vintage newspaper extracts give us a great insight into the daily life and times of our Lavendon village residents in years gone by. They also remind us just how much easier our modern day lives can be now, compared to the past. Some extracts are undoubtedly amusing to our modern eyes, but others can be quite dramatic and sad, often reflecting hard times.

To see the detailed vintage news and anniversaries from many years ago for the month of August 2016 click here: August 2016 Anniversaries (as summarized below).

To see much more vintage news, go to the main monthly listing by clicking here: Vintage Newspaper Extracts

The following is a summary of vintage newspaper extracts and anniversaries for the month of August 2016:

1826 Proposed Turnpike Road from Northampton to Bedford via Lavendon – 1876 Servant absented himself on second day at work and returned intoxicated and abusive – 1886 Lavendon man prosecuted for not having his children vaccinated – 1896 Lavendon man summonsed for being drunk in charge of two horses and a wagon – 1916 Lavendon man fined for easy riding on footpath – 1936 Lavendon residents excused rates due to poverty; new Lavendon water supply switched on; Olney Road culvert fell in while new gas mains being laid; Parish Council discussed disposal of bier house, need for footpath in Northampton Road; new water tap in the cemetery now that water supply has arrived in Lavendon – 1946 Lavendon Gymkhana and Flower Show held on 31st August; Lavendon farm-worker attacked by two boys who escaped from Approved School.

A Lavendon Timeline – Anniversaries in July 2016

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

Vintage newspaper extracts give us a great insight into the daily life and times of our Lavendon village residents in years gone by. They also remind us just how much easier our modern day lives can be now, compared to the past. Some extracts are undoubtedly amusing to our modern eyes, but others can be quite dramatic and sad, often reflecting hard times.

To see the detailed vintage news and anniversaries from many years ago for the month of July 2016 click here: July 2016 Anniversaries (as summarized below).

To see much more vintage news, go to the main monthly listing by clicking here: Vintage Newspaper Extracts

The following is a summary of vintage newspaper extracts and anniversaries for the month of July 2016:

1856 Fire in Lavendon and a melancholy fatal accident – 1866 Grand Temperance Gala with procession by Olney and Lavendon branches, headed by Olney Brass Band – 1876 Farmer charged with letting cattle graze on the highway at Lavendon – 1916 Military Service Tribunals involving Lavendon men – 1936 Sale of eight cottages in Horseshoe Yard [now Village Hall area]; Church Army Crusaders tramping from Canterbury to Cleethorpes are accommodated by Lavendon; Parish business; County road improvements in Northampton Road; Fete and Sports held in aid of Lavendon Playing Fields Committee and St John Ambulance Division – 1946 Sale of Cattle and Poultry at Rectory Farm, Lavendon; Proposed resumption of St John Ambulance branch in Lavendon following return of men from war service; A strange cricket record; Joan Tunn of Olney Road, Lavendon, breaks sports record in the All-England Finals; weekly rents for agricultural and council houses fixed by Newport Pagnell RDC.

A Lavendon Timeline – Anniversaries in June 2016

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

Vintage newspaper extracts give us a great insight into the daily life and times of our Lavendon village residents in years gone by. They also remind us just how much easier our modern day lives can be now, compared to the past. Some extracts are undoubtedly amusing to our modern eyes, but others can be quite dramatic and sad, often reflecting hard times.

To see the detailed vintage news and anniversaries from many years ago for the month of June 2016 click here: June 2016 Anniversaries (as summarized below).

To see much more vintage news, go to the main monthly listing by clicking here: Vintage Newspaper Extracts

The following is a summary of vintage newspaper extracts and anniversaries for the month of June 2016:

1866: Charles Fairy, a waggoner and native of Lavendon met with a fatal accident at Wellingborough Mills – 1896: Lavendon men summoned for neglecting to have their children vaccinated; report of the first anniversary of the new Union Chapel at Lavendon – 1906: Sunday School anniversary services in the Union Chapel – 1916: Various Lavendon cases at the Newport Pagnell Petty Sessions; Private J Green of the Bedfordshire Regiment wounded – 1936: Old-time dance proceeds to fund Ambulance cadet uniforms; Mrs Shakeshaft of Castle Road fell down the stairs; Church wedding of Miss Frances Tompkins and reception in Ambulance Hall; Hospital Sunday parade from New Row to Harrold Road corner with church service and band playing around the memorial; Mr Bristow, Head Master of Lavendon School, elected to represent East Anglia on the Rural Schools Committee of the NUT; Grand Prix motor-cycle races at Costor Pits south of Lavendon Mill – 1946: Lavendon’s Victory Day celebrations well observed with fancy dress parade, children’s tea party, concert and evening dance; British Legion Whit Sunday parade; an inaugural meeting of the Women’s Section of the Lavendon branch of the British Legion – 19 members enrolled; four Council houses at Lavendon due to be completed in about three weeks.

History Group Talk – Make Do and Mend

History Group Talk – Make Do and Mend
2pm Monday, 23rd May 2016
Lavendon Village Hall 

Amanda Picard, better known as one half of the 1940s duo, Harry & Edna, will be giving an amusing talk for the History Group at 2pm on Monday, 23rd May in the Lavendon Village Hall. As always these light-hearted interesting talks are open to everyone, entry £2 with tea/coffee and biscuits included.

Meanwhile, here’s some useful advice …..

Make Do And Mend

Make Do And Mend

A Lavendon Timeline – Anniversaries in May 2016

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

Vintage newspaper extracts give us a great insight into the daily life and times of our Lavendon village residents in years gone by. They also remind us just how much easier our modern day lives can be now, compared to the past. Some extracts are undoubtedly amusing to our modern eyes, but others can be quite dramatic and sad, often reflecting hard times.

To see the detailed vintage news and anniversaries from many years ago for the month of May 2016 click here: May 2016 Anniversaries (as summarized below).

To see much more vintage news, go to the main monthly listing by clicking here: Vintage Newspaper Extracts

The following is a summary of vintage newspaper extracts and anniversaries for the month of May 2016:

1776 To be Let – All the Great and Small Tithes belonging to the Parish of Lavendon – 1826 Mr John York’s mare has her 16th foal – 1876 Frederick Parsons and Henry Parris were charged with allowing sheep to stray on the highway; John Barcock charged with riding without reins – 1886 Charles Warren summoned by John Billing for stealing a quantity of turnip tops; Jonah Fairy found not guilty of stealing a leveret trampled by cows – 1936 Laundry van crashes into telegraph pole in Castle Road when loose hampers pin driver against steering wheel; Parish Council meets to discuss village cleaning and cemetery, also the gift of grass roller from the cricket club, and the water supply & standpipes in Olney Road – 1946 Lavendon & District Agricultural Club, sheep shearing competition; public meeting to discuss ideas for a Victory Celebration; resumption of Bedford Cricket League following its suspension in 1940, including Lavendon players; Parish Council meeting to discuss street lighting, extension of electricity to the Castle area, and public rights of way; the Green Man – an enjoyable darts and skittles evening followed by a smoking concert; Forewoman wanted for Lavendon boot and shoe closing room in Olney Road factory.

Local Memories: The Roosters Motor Cycle Club of North Bucks

Badge of the Roosters Motorcycle Club - North Bucks

Badge of the Roosters Motorcycle Club of North Bucks

The badge shown above is that of the Roosters North Bucks Motor Cycle Club which operated in North Bucks during the late 1940s and on into the 1950/60s. The badge, 3½ins diam, is photographed by kind permission of Lavendon resident Sylvia Freeman whose late husband was a member of the Roosters MC Club.

The Roosters MC Club was founded by local motor cycle enthusiasts Bill ‘Yipee’ Barwick, George Coley and others whilst drinking in the former Cock Inn in Olney one evening shortly after the War. Initial interest was generated as a result of them putting an advert in the local paper suggesting fellow motor cycle enthusiasts should turn up for an inaugural meeting. The Chairman of the latter meeting was Ian Jolley, already Chairman of the then well known South Bucks Motor Cycle Club. Ian Jolley lived for a spell at Northey Cottage, Northey Farm, Lavendon. When Ian left to live elsewhere, Bill Barwick and his wife, Frances, took over living in the cottage.

Scarf in REME colours

Scarf in REME colours

The Roosters Club expanded rapidly with interest shown from all over North Bucks and also Northamptonshire. Club nights were well attended and in due course motor cycle and scrambling trials were held at various venues in the district, including at Petsoe End near Emberton. The Club also became affiliated to the Auto Cycle Union. At the inaugural meeting George Coley determined that the Club colours should be Red, Yellow and Black; this was because they were the colours of the REME [Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers] “and George had the scarf with him.” These colours are reflected in the badge as shown; it should be born in mind that many of those who joined the Club did so following a recent return from WW2 service life.

Further reading: 6 Nov 2003 – BBC Home – WW2 People’s War: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/12/a1982612.shtml

NBS: 7 Jan 2014