Bedford, Bunyan Memorial And Church Green c.1955
Photo ref: B51023
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Photo ref: B51023
Photo of Bedford, Bunyan Memorial And Church Green c.1955

More about this scene

Undoubtedly Bedford's most famous son - if only because of his imprisonment as a 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. Released in 1672, when King Charles II issued the Declaration of Religious Indulgance, he was later returned to gaol when the Declaration was rescinded. The significant and most famous outcome of Bunyan's hardships was the writing and publication, on 18th February 1677, of a religious parable - 'Pilgrim's Progress'. It became one of the most successful books ever written, being published in over 200 languages. Historical theory has it that it is possible to link Pilgrim's journeying to various locations within Bedfordshire, and the recent establishment of the John Bunyan Trail attempts to add substance to the possibility.

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A Selection of Memories from Bedford

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. Here are some from Bedford

Sparked a Memory for you?

If this has sparked a memory, why not share it here?

I was evacuated to Bedford in 1939 aged 7 and stayed first of all with a Mrs Drake ,the wife of a captain Drake who was in command of a ship called the Warspite. I remember it was off Goldington rd. by the school where all the evacuees were taken and sat around the central hall to be selected and billeted with various families. Mrs Drake had a housemaid and I remember the air raid sirens sounding at 11.00 am ...see more
My mother used to work at a factory called "proper pride" making lingerie does anyone remember it I think it was in mile road, it would be lovely to hear from anyone who knew it. My mother was called maria longo
In 1956 when I was 17 years old my brother in law built a sailing boat but neither if us had ever sailed. We took the boat on a trailer to "Kelpie's" yard on the river Ouse at Great Barford near to Bedford and were soon leaning the skills of gybing until a late gybe left us stranded in reeds. I was the lucky one having been elected to enter the water to clear a way (picture Humphry Bogart in African Queen). ...see more
I spent many a happy afternoons here , watching film's . Beautiful old place , so sad when they tore it down . It was supposed to be a listed building , thank's BB Council , they also pulled down the old Granada, which was also ' a Listed building !!!! It was also in a lovely setting by the river , i miss those days ...