Dunstable Downs Bedfordshire

A Memory of Salford.

At the end of petrol rationing during the late 40's and in the 50's we would regularly visit Dunstable Downs to watch the gliders, all piled into my uncles Morris 8.
The gliders would be towed into position at the far end of the lower field heading into the wind when a cable was attached to a powered winch at the opposite end of the field. On some days there was barely enough wind to keep the gliders aloft and they would make just one single turn and land again almost immediately. Sometimes we would all enjoy an ice cream cornet.
When we had seen enough we would drive on to Ivinghoe Beacon and then to Ashridge Park to climb up the stone spiral staircase inside the monument and look out at the surrounding countryside.
On the drive towards Ashridge Park we would look out on the left-hand side for a house that had a beautiful blue tiled roof, thankfully it is still there.
Moving on again we would visit the nearby picturesque village of Aldbury noted for the wooden stocks sited next to the pond, it was build to retain villagers when convicted for their particular local crime.
The hinged wooden clamp cutaway to hold its victim by the wrists and neck as villagers pelted them with eggs and suchlike, not in our time of course although at the time it was still possible to the enter the stocks for a photo session.
John Russell
11th June 2016

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