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Books > Bedfordshire Photographic Memories
Ampthill, the Church c1955 (ref. A158073) | Most sources quote Ampthill's parish church as 10th century, without offering a precise dating. All, however, make a point of listing a marble memorial to the life of Col Richard Nicolls who captured the Dutch Colonial city of New Amsterdam on behalf of the English Crown - and then renamed it New York in honour of his commanding officer, James, Duke of York. The memorial carries a cannon ball in its base, said to be the one that killed Colonel Nicolls during the Battle of Sole Bay in 1672. |  Add your own Memory
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Ampthill, St Andrew's Church c1955 (ref. A158011) | It is entirely possible that Queen Katherine of Aragon worshipped in the 10th-century church during her stay at Ampthill Castle in 1533. Katherine's Cross in Ampthill Park gained a subsequent measure of recognition when it proved to be the burial site of the 'Golden Hare' - the subject of a national treasure hunt based on Kit Williams' book 'Masquerade'. | Add your own Memory
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Ampthill, Market Place c1955 (ref. A158030) | This substantial open space at the heart of the town is the original site of the Charter Market. All the main roads converge here, and Ampthill's history as a coaching stop is still visible in the form of the White Hart hotel on the right of the picture. Much of the building is of Tudor origin, but later additions are said to include panelling removed from Houghton House (see 39964). The Market Place has been redeveloped as a Millennium project. | Add your own Memory
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Ampthill, Market Place c1955 (ref. A158028) | In late morning sunshine, the boys of the village head for the newsagents, possibly to collect their wages for the daily delivery run. Behind them the Queen Anne façade of the White Hart hides the fabric of a Tudor building, while the structure housing Babbs footwear shop is not so bashful. | Add your own Memory
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Ampthill, Bedford Street c1955 (ref. A158021) | The Zonita Cinema has followed 'Adventures of Quentin Durward' into obscurity, but the pub across the road still provides a service for thirsty residents and travellers. The owner, Charles Wells Brewery of Bedford, is the only independent brewery left in the county. | Add your own Memory
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Ampthill, Woburn Road c1955 (ref. A158007) | Dating back to the 18th century, the deed to each of these cottages restricts the householder to replacing the thatched roof only with thatch, and further prescribes the method and colour of redecoration that may be carried out. It is doubtful that the legality of the covenant has ever been challenged. The bus on the right is an Eastern National vehicle operating the route between Ampthill and Bedford. | Add your own Memory
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Ampthill, Dunstable Street c1955 (ref. A158065) | Dunstable Street housed most of the 'household' shops in 1955 - the situation has considerably altered since then as the town has expanded its boundaries. W B Moss was a general dry goods store of quality, and the Consumers Tea Co next door offered a bewildering array of teas and coffees. Speciality shops occupied the other side of the road; from memory they included a haberdashers, a newsagents and tobacconists, and a cycle shop. At the bottom of the road is the clock tower overlooking the Market Place. | Add your own Memory
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Aspley Guise, Aspley House c1955 (ref. A161003) | Built to an original design by Sir Christopher Wren, it is believed that Aspley House's chequered history includes a spell as an outpost of the work of the Special Operations Executive during World War II. | Add your own Memory
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Aspley Guise, the Square c1955 (ref. A161016) | These opposing views of the town centre illustrate the character and quality of life in Aspley Guise. The grocer's store is part of a small chain that catered for the 'discerning' customer, and the personal nature of the other stores indicates that the owners are committed to a high level of involvement in local affairs. The checkerboard finish on many of the buildings fronting the square is traditional and, in this case, dates back to the 18th century. The Bell Hotel has undergone major refurbishment since 1955, and now sports new windows on either side of the main entrance and a brighter aspect overall. | Add your own Memory
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Aspley Guise, Old Houses c1955 (ref. A161007) | These 18th-century properties are undoubtedly some that were part of the benefit bestowed by the Moore family in Aspley. The style on the left suggests that it dates from somewhat earlier - perhaps as far back as the previous century. | Add your own Memory
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Bedford, Bunyan's Statue 1898 (ref. 40857) | Undoubtedly Bedford's most famous son - if only because of his imprisonment as the result of religious intolerance - John Bunyan was born into a tinker's family and lived something of the high life before becoming a Nonconformist preacher. In 1660 he was arrested for his beliefs and spent the next 12 years in prison. A major outcome of his hardships was the writing and publishing in 1678 of a religious parable - 'Pilgrims Progress'. It has become one of the most successful books ever written, being published in over 200 languages. Legend has it that it is possible to trace Pilgrim's journeying through various locations within the county, and the establishment of the 'John Bunyan Trail' attempts to add substance to the possibility. | Add your own Memory
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Bedford, St Peter's Square c1955 (ref. B51061) | Over thirty years and a world war separate these two photographs. Traffic is light enough to be controlled by a 'bobby' in 1921; by 1955 traffic lights and pedestrian crossings are required. The later image shows that the aspect of St Peter's Square is more open, with a lifted tree canopy over Bunyan's head and the removal of the railings around the gardens behind the statue. The clock on the church tower appears to have undergone a reversal of colour scheme. | Add your own Memory
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Bedford, St Peter's Street 1921 (ref. 70426) | This picture is remarkable for the diversity of personal transport it depicts. St Peter's Street is still as broad today as then, but it would be a brave cyclist who rode down its centre now. The sit-up-and-beg motorcycle sidecar is the latest for its day; Bill Swallow's Jaguar-preceding models were a full twelve months away. But the stalwart is the pony and trap waiting for 'Milady' to finish her shopping in the household goods store on the right. The majority of the visible buildings still exist, but with changed façades in most cases. | Add your own Memory
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Bedford, John Howard Statue and Church 1897 (ref. 39940) | Another great Nonconformist preacher dominates the Square at the opposite end of the High Street to John Bunyan. In his time John Howard was derided for his views, particularly when they spilled from religion into politics - never comfortable bedfellows. He survived the difficulties, and spent many years campaigning against conditions in the country's prisons and the indignities suffered by the inmates. His name and work live on as the founder of the Howard League for Penal Reform. | Add your own Memory
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Bedford, St Paul's Square 1929 (ref. 81741) | The event that prompted this wonderful assembly of motor vehicles of the day was probably related to St Paul's Church in the background. Unfortunately, history does not record what it was. Students of automobilia will have pleasure in identifying the marques on display - certainly there are Vauxhalls from nearby Luton, one or two Morrises from Oxford and possibly some early foreign imports as well. | Add your own Memory
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Bedford, St Paul's Church c1955 (ref. B51019) | By 1955, all-day parking was a necessity for the many employees of shops and offices in the vicinity. The changes in vehicle design and equipment make the contrast with 81741 of particular interest. Note the Frith photographer's car parked in the lower left corner of the picture. | Add your own Memory
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Bedford, Suspension Bridge 1898 (ref. 40865) | The Great Ouse has always been of importance to Bedford's economy and pleasure, and successive administrations have successfully managed the environs of the river to keep them as an amenity for the benefit of the citizens. The ability to promenade from one bank to the other via this bridge was further enhanced with the opening in 2000 of another, known as the Butterfly Bridge. | Add your own Memory
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Bedford, the Suspension Bridge 1898 (ref. 40864) | Popular with all Bedfordians, the suspension bridge prevents a short stroll becoming a very long one. This shot is taken from the south side of the river with The Embankment in the background. | Add your own Memory
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Bedford, the River Ouse 1929 (ref. 81733) | Any photographic survey of Bedford must include a picture of the embankment and the Swan Hotel. Standing almost squarely on the spot once occupied by Beda's ford (on Town Bridge), the photographer has captured the essence of a leisurely lifestyle. | Add your own Memory
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Bedford, High Street from Town Bridge 1921 (ref. 70425) | The photograph gives an unusual perspective in that the exit from the bridge and the High Street beyond appears to be restrictive for both traffic and pedestrians. The actual width of the road can be estimated by assessing the relative sizes of the open-top bus and horse-drawn vehicle passing it. The motor agents' premises on the right belong to Murkett Bros, one of the county's premier automobile companies which grew out of an existing agricultural machinery business with its roots in the 19th century. | Add your own Memory
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