Harrowden, Bedfordshire

The RAF and Cardington

As RAF children, all three of us were christened in the picturesque church in Cardington, which is the unofficial 'favourite' church for RAF personnel! I obviously don't remember my own christening and wasn't about when my older brother was held over the font, but I do remember my sister's christening because she's nine years younger than I, so the memory is... [more]

The Granada Cinema

I worked at the Granada cinema from the age of 15 and it was the best time I had, the building was unbelievable with many secret or forgotten doorways... Does anyone have any photos before it was demolished? I can't understand why it was allowed to happen. I visit Bedford occasionally and I still can't believe the building has gone, such... [more]

Born in Bedford.

I don't actually remember this event, but according to my birth certificate I was born in No. 3 Kimbolton Road, Bedford in February 1940. I can only presume that my mother was expecting me but was evacuated to Bedford from London. Her address is on my birth certificate as 11 Highfield Crscent, Ridgmont, Bedford. Does anyone know whether the Kimbolton Road... [more]

SILVERY OUSE

I was a summer season driver of these boats during my college holidays in the early 1960s. We operated four boats, Silver Foam, Silver Stream, Silver Crest and my own boat, Silver Dawn, which I believe came from the Norfolk Broads.
The mornings were spent at Fenlake cleaning and polishing to the high standards demanded by Mr Smith (`The Guvnor`). We... [more]

I was a projectionist at the Picturedrome

I worked there for a few years with Stan Hunt at the Picturedrome, and the Plaza which was nearly opposite across the river was owned by a man called Mr Cheetam. I also worked at the Plaza as a relief projectionist and also another cinema in Ampthill owned by Mr Cheetam.
They were great days and I now live in Leicester... [more]

Working memories.

I was the main weekday driver of the launch photographed during the student holiday periods of 1955-1958.  When I drove it, the name was 'Silver Stream'.  It was the largest of a set of three electric launches which carried paying passengers for trips of about 40 minutes duration from the steps on the downstream, north side of the town bridge.  Typically... [more]

Swimming in the river at Kempston

Great times were had at the river at the bend as we children called it, we would make mud slides down the banks.  What fun we had.  There was always a good crowd there on a Sunday afternoon, but now its all quiet, no swimmers, the bend has long since gone.

39 Mill Lane

The gable end of the house on the left is 39 Mill Lane and Back St starts at the junction over the hill and not visible here. My father built the house about 1935 when he was  21 years old. I grew up there until 1955 when it was sold and we moved from Clophill for a short time. We returned... [more]