The Francis Frith Collection.
You are here: Home > Explore your past > England > Bedfordshire > Turvey
Massive Book Clearance - 50-70% off every Book online!

Turvey

Turvey photos (8 available)

Old photo of Turvey

Turvey maps (2 available)

Old map of Turvey

Turvey books (7 available)

Turvey memories

Be the first to add a memory of Turvey.

You can also read memories of nearby places in Bedfordshire below.

Bedfordshire memories

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.
A memory of Kempston contributed by jackie fleming

Happy Days

I was just Two when I moved to Souldrop with my parents in 1949,we lived at 18 High Street,just opposit the green and the large tree what in those days was a mere twig! we lived there for 5 years before moving on to Colworth estate. I was Barbara Smith then,Mr Prigmore still lives next door although sadley he could not remember me, those were such happy earthy days filled with the spirit of every one working together after war time and although hard it is my pleasure to have been part of it. Best Wishes to Souldrop and all who live there>
A memory of contributed by Barbara Blyth

I was a projectionist at the Picturedrome

Bedford, the Picturedrome 1921

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 but now see that all four cinemas in Bedford are gone, what is left?
I thought the Picturedrome and the great cinema The Granada were LISTED buildings so who had them demolished should be SHOT. These cinemas have brought great memories to a lot of people and been destroyed by Bedford Council.   
Don't you think the Granada would have ...read more here
A memory of Bedford contributed by Eric Bootles

Working memories.

Bedford, the Embankment 1921

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 this launch would carry about 40 passengers maximum.  Silver Stream was a magnificent launch to drive, giving a silent drive, almost no water disturbance up to the 6 knots maximum for the river, and had a tubular rudder form which surrounded the propeller.  This permitted a very tight turning such that most of us could turn round in places where ...read more here
A memory of Bedford contributed by Mr PC Hedgecock

Extracts From Turvey & Bedfordshire books

Turvey, Village 1897

Turvey village owes its character to estate building, much of it by the Higgins family, whose Castle Ashby-style mausoleum of about 1847 is in the churchyard. The tall terraced cottages on the right are in their simpler vernacular style, while the school and halls are Tudor in style, with stone mullioned and transomed windows.
An extract from from"English Villages".

Turvey, Abbey from Gardens 1897

At the time of the photograph the building was known as Abbey Farm; it had been the home of the Higgins family since 1786. At the end of the 18th century, much of the village was in disrepair because the previous owners, the Mordaunt family, were unable to afford the upkeep towards the end of their tenure. Cousins Charles and John Higgins rebuilt much of Turvey in the style we see today.
An extract from from"Bedfordshire Photographic Memories".

Turvey, the Three Cranes Hotel c1950

The building style established by Cecil Higgins is very much in evidence on the hotel. Note the old Cyclists Touring Club seal of approval carried above the front entrance. Birds figure strongly in the coats of arms for many old Bedfordshire families, and it is likely that the cranes of the hotel’s title refer to one of these.
An extract from from"Bedfordshire Photographic Memories".

Turvey, All Saints Church c1955

Saxon remains incorporated into a medieval structure characterise All Saints’. Restorations carried out in the 19th century uncovered a 14th-century painting of the Crucifixion in the Lady Chapel. There are also many memorials to members of the Mordaunt family, which owned the lands until the late 1600s.
An extract from from"Bedfordshire Photographic Memories".

Turvey, the Abbey c1955

In 1786 Abbey Farm (now Turvey Abbey) was occupied by Charles Higgins Esq. The building has never been an abbey, but took its name from the lands owned by the Benedictine Abbey of Bec in Normandy. Two centuries later, in 1981, the Higgins heir of that time invited an order of Benedictine nuns to take residence - a situation that prevails today.
An extract from from"Bedfordshire Photographic Memories".