Church
Street was originally known as Back Lane, The Backside or Backway
before becoming part of the present Shortmead Street up to
where Elphick Court stands. It was named Brewery Lane with the coming
of the brewery but renamed again to the present Church Street about 1900.
Our walk starts from Shortmead Street in the east, along the
north side of Church Street, into Chapelfields, returns to Church
Street and continues to Rose Lane in the west before returning to
Shortmead Street along the south side of Church Street.
Two wintry scenes in 1891 are marked on
the original prints as being Back Lane.
The
views are looking towards Shortmead Street.
The Crown Inn yard is on the left and the Fire Station, Down’s Maltings, the
entrance to Chapelfields Lane
and Taylor’s yard to the right. Referring to the plan of 1898 below, the
original cattle market is just out of view in the photograph, to the right of Taylor’s
Yard. It was situated in the Crown Inn garden where produce was grown for use
by the Inn and is now part of the Asda car park.
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The map above is from 1924; highlighted are Church Street and Chapel
Fields with Benson's Row in green.
The
plan below shows the area around the entrance
to Chapel Fields Lane, as it was known in
1898.
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The
first building
on the corner with Shortmead Street (later 2 and 4 Shortmead Street)
the corner property was Montford Docwra's brewery and
bakery with off-licence in 1851. His daughter Eliza
Woodham took over also running a dairy followed by her
son Montford Woodham.
At
No 2, Arthur Spiers ran the off licence from 1910 and
Mrs Spiers ran a Temperance hotel on the Shortmead Street
frontage. By 1919 this was The Café Royal & off
licence; Arthur Spiers sold it to Mrs Janet Odell. Wells
& Winch purchased the building in 1924 as The Cafe
Royal and off-licence, run by Sydney Lancaster also
a confectioner and beer retailer. H A Dalton opened
it on 17th June 1938 as a Milk Bar but moved to the
Market Square in 1939. Reg Young, hairdresser traded
in the corner shop.
At
No 4 Rebecca Dalton, then John Burnage and later Mrs
Burnage, ran The Dainty Confectionery Shop with Devonshire
Cream Ices in the 1920's.
About
1946 the whole property became D J Clarke's radio and
television shop. This closed after a serious fire in
1955 . It was rebuilt as a shop and offices, Wilderspin
motorcycles, scooters, mopeds to 1979, then in 1993,
Savage & Son electrical contractors until August
2005 when they moved to Stratton Business Park with
40 staff. Duncan Strachan solicitor occupied 2a Church
Street as offices from 1993 until 1999. RATS' charity
shop occupied the corner site with Shortmead Street
until demolition for access ASDA Superstore in 2002.
A tiny triangular
structure built by ASDA stood unoccupied from the day
it was completed (see Shortmead
Street) but a new building (below right) was completed mid-2015.
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This was how the corner still looked in 1957
following the fire at D.J Clarke's two years previous
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Savage's
in 2009, it stood empty for several years
prior to demolition.
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The
new
building completed in 2015; note the mansard
roof which is a characteristic of early
buildings in Biggleswade.
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.The
Church of England Junior Boys School where Col. Frank Shuttleworth
laid the foundation stone on 26th June 1903. It opened on
the 5th January 1904 with pupils transferred from the National Schools.
The school amalgamated with the Girls Church School in 1946; they
both closed in 1964 The building was conveyed to Mr & Mrs R.W.
Willson the owners of Dodimead's furniture store in May 1965. The
school bell was donated to the American Air Base Chapel at Chicksands
in 1979. Callaghan's Clothing manufacturers were the first occupants. Four industrial Units were built at the rear extending through
to Chapel Fields.
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Closed as a school in
1964 it is in use in 1965 as a furniture
store
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Church School was used
as industrial units in May 2009
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Laurel
Villa was built as a private house in 1884. The first occupier
was Edward Dodimead who retired from his furniture business in High
Street. The next owner was James Ballard from 1903 until 1915 followed
by Mrs Herbert Church until about 1919. Bert Woodcroft moved from
The Post Boy (where his father had been licensee for 54 years) in
1931. He died about 1950 then Mrs Ethel Woodcroft continued until
her death in 1969. My uncle William (Bill) Page occupied a wooden
building in the garden as a Turf Accountant in association with
Percy Gyte from about 1930 until his death in 1946.
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Looking east along
Church Street with Laurel Villa next to
the Fire Station in 2009
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The
Fire Station The very next morning after the fire at Wynn's
Barns nearby (detailed later) on 7th March 1874, Douglas Spong the
chemist with several other tradesmen called a meeting at the Town
Hall four days later to set up Biggleswade Volunteer Fire Service
consisting of a Captain, two foremen an engineer and 12 members
Their equipment was stored at a shed in Church Street. When the
new fire station was built in 1888 a fire bell was installed and
the equipment consisted of two manual pumps. The Fire Service also
rented the existing wooden building next to The Maltings. The Local
Board purchased a horse drawn steamer pump in 1894 just before the
Urban District Council replaced them. Horses borrowed from the Swan
Hotel and the Brewery drew the Steamer, this must have caused a
delay when they responded to a fire call. The Urban District Council
later provided two light draught horses. In 1924 the UDC bought
a Vulcan lorry for road works including tarring and this was utilized
to tow the fire pump. They purchased a Dennis Fire Engine with a
30-foot ladder costing £780 in 1928 when the station was enlarged.
In 1941 Biggleswade became part of The National Fire Service and
in 1948 Bedfordshire Fire Service was formed. A new Fire Station
was built in Chestnut Avenue in 1960 and the building sold to Brittain's
furnishers opposite and used as a store. Carpentry Management Contracting
refurbished the building in 1995 moving opposite in 2000. The next
owners Kevin Barbour Electrics have now been replaced by Fingerprint
Jewellery.
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Members
of the Biggleswade Volunteer Fire Service
outside their original shed in Church Street
in 1883. They are displaying a manual pump
and hose carrier.
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The
'new' fire station is seen here in 1957,
note the bell on the roof.
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The
old fire station buildings in April 2009
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Downs
Maltings John
Miles erected Downs Maltings the large building on the corner of
Church Street & Chapel Fields in 1718. It was surrendered to
Richard Thwaites & William Grigg in 1762, then to John Toller
in 1766, followed by John Boston, Turner Boston, then Ann Downe
and eventually Wells & Co the brewers in 1864.
In
the 1898 Wells & Co sale particulars It was described as “A
brick & tiled 12 quarter malt house containing grain stores
on the upper floor and cemented working floor beneath; drying kiln
etc and a 4-roomed maltsters cottage with a large piece of garden
ground in front shut off by gates from the road. IN HAND. An adjoining
carpenter's and bicycle shop with lofts over is let to Mr Whiteman
at £3 per annum.”
John
Larkinson was the maltster living with his family in a wooden cottage
in 1901. Alterations and extensions were made to the cottage
in 1908 to enable the head brewer to live there. The maltings building
was then used as a barrel store.
There
were further extensions to the building in the 1930's when the malting
kiln was removed and in 1976 there was a conversion of the building
into a social Club, staff canteen and reception centre for the Brewery.
Later it became a Training Centre for Greene King public house licensees
& managers, continuing after the brewery closed in 1997. Jonathan
Medlock purchased the whole property and in April 2007 converted
it into the 80 seat Surfin Café Lounge at the Old Maltings and opened
up the garden.
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John Larkinson Malster
and family c1901
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Maltings Stores, Garage
& Fire Station 1970
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Maltings & Brewery
gates Aug 1997
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Maltings for sale 2003
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Maltings House April
2009
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Maltings May 2009
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We
turn left into Chapel Fields where there was a scheme in 1946
to widen and build houses. This never materialised but partially
realised when ASDA Superstore opened in 2005 on the old brewery
site. The building on the left was Down's Maltings, now 'The
Maltings'.
Moving
along there is an industrial building, the white one on the left.
It also has yards
and garden. This is now accessed from The Old School in Church
Street.
Asda
supermarket is on the right.
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Also
a garden owned by Thomas Spong who owned the Printing works and
Garden let by brewery to White Horse, plus Cottages now 2 and
4 Chapel Fields and The Bungalow (5 Chapel Fields).
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Cottages
- 2 and 4 Chapelfields in August 2008
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The
Bungalow
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Rear
entrance to Millers Court which is situated
on Shortmead Street in June 2009
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There
were 13 houses in Bensons Row leading to Shortmead Street. Owner/Builder
(Samuel Benson) and Tenants
shown in census returns were as below, note that some of the properties
would have had multiple occupancy:
1851 HO107/1753
S176-196
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1861 RG9/996
S1-16
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1871 RG10/1550
S1-15 + *
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1881 RG11/1630
S1-11
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1891 RG12/1256
S5-23
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1901 RG13/1499 S237-250
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1911 RG14/8889 S234-S246
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Samuel Benson Bricklayer Employing 4 men
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Samuel
Benson
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*
Samuel Benson Master Bricklayer
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William
Smith Bricklayer
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Henry
Breed Cycle Manufacturer's Labourer
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Henry
Breed Foreman for Corn Merchant
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13
Sarah Breed (widow) |
John Butterworth Carpenter
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Sarah Albone Laundress
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*
Eliza Brown Needlewoman (wife)
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George
Rook Platelayer
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Ann
Kelly Charwoman (widow)
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Charles
Rook Ordinary Agricultural Labourer
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12
John F. Albone Sewage Labourer |
Ebenezer Barber Bootmaker
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William
Goss Sawyer
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*
William barley Market Gardener
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James Allibone Painter
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George
Bowles Agricultural labourer
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George
Bowles Ordinary Agricultural Labourer
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11
George Bowles Field Labourer |
William Goss Blacksmith
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Flora Warren (married)
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George
Brunt Agricultural Labourer
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James
Hasler Blacksmith
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James Haslar Blacksmith
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Frederick
Clark Ordinary Agricultural Labourer
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10
Joseph Bilcock General Labourer |
Joseph Illesey Agricultural Labourer
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John Ives Painter
and
Glazier
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Frederick
Chambers Boot and shoe maker
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Frederick
Chambers Rural letter carrier
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Thomas
Pressland Corn Merchant's Carter
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Sarah Pressland
(wife)
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9
James Watts Field Labourer |
John Varley Horsekeeper
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George
Cowland Shoemaker
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George Cowland Boot & shoemaker
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John
Crouch Blacksmith
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James Warren Groom
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Samuel
Bilcock Market Gardener's Labourer
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8
Samuel Bilcock Sewage Labourer |
Elizabeth Fuller Charwoman (receiving parish
relief)
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Caroline Casterton Straw Bonnet Manufacturer
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Richard
Areton Coachman
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Richard Aireton Coachman
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John
Endersby Agricultural Labourer
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James
Walker Fish Hawker
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7
Frederick Cole Groom |
William Batson Agricultural Labourer
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Matthew
Watkin Tailor
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Evelyn Todd
Laundress |
Robert
Arger Agricultural labourer |
Robert Milton Agricultural Labourer
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Robert
Milton Gravel digger |
6
Robert Milton Market Gardener |
Joseph
Roberts Agricultural Labourer
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Martha
Ives Schoolmistress |
Joseph
Mantle Carpenter |
Joseph
Mantel Journeyman carpenter |
Elizabeth Ashwell (married) |
John Ashwell Agricultural
Labourer |
5 Jonah Smith Housekeeper to Market Gardener |
William Chambers Wheelwright |
William Chambers Wheelwright |
George Chambers Agricultural
Labourer |
John King Farmer out of employ
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John Richard
Bowskill Grocers Assistant |
Lizzie
Cole Onion Sorter |
4
Jacob Munsey Market Gardener Labourer |
Joseph
Brown Grocer
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Joseph Brown Groom |
Joseph
Brown Groom and Gardner |
Eli
Lenton Pensioner |
Eli
Lenton Railway Bricklayer |
William Cartwright Road
labourer |
3
William Cartwright Farm Labourer |
Charles
Huckle Labourer at Coal Yard
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Charles
Huckle Agricultural Labourer |
Charles Huckle Maltste |
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Walter
Benjamin Cocks Agricultural Labourer |
William
Wade Driver of steam roller |
2 Frederick Clarke Farm Labourer |
Frederick Moseley Cordwainer |
Frederick Moseley Shoemake |
Frederick
Moseley Boot & Shoemaker |
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Thomas Pedder Coal Agent
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Ann
Chesham (kept by children) |
1 Charles William Buck, Farm Labourer
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James Harcum Whitesmith
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James
Harcum Whitesmith
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Charles
Wheatley Agricultural Labourer
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Alfred
Hubbard Machinist (Cyclist)
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Minnie
Milton (widow)
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William Arnold Agricultural Labourer
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Those
below are given as South Bensons Row S17-21
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Major
Church Brickmaker
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Mary Ann Young (married)
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William Clark Agricultural Labourer
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John
Hopkins Agricultural Labourer
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William
King Chemist's Porter
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Thomas Ives Wheelwright
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Susan
Sandon (married)
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Louisa
Piggots Own means
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George
Cox Journeyman Plumber
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Jonathan
Litchfield Sawyer |
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George
Francis Builder (Carpenter |
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William Barratt Agricultural Labourer
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William Barratt Agricultural Labourer
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William
Garner Agricultural Labourer
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Thomas Faisly Plate Layer
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Census Notes: 1871
* Benson's Yard Schedules 16, 17 and 18 1891 One property unoccupied
and a number with multiple occupancy and each Head counted 1881
Two properties unoccupied (no schedule) = 13 total. Even if multiple
occupancy only one head is given 1901 All occupied; some multiple
occupancy with each Head counted 1911 This is the first census where properties have
actual numbers
Bensons
Row was demolished and Fairlands bungalow built on the site some
years ago. This was demolished in 2013 and replaced by a block of
eleven flats, Benson's Court owned by Macintyre Housing Association
part of Grand Union Housing Group at a cost of £1.5 m.
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Fairlands
Bungalow seen here in a dilapidated state
in 2010
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Benson's
Court in March 2015
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Number
7
A to G were redeveloped in 2000 with seven terraced dwellings Originally
this site was a large garden behind Elphicks Printing Works in Shortmead
Street and Mead House Schoolroom
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8
and 9 to 14 There was an explosion at number 9 in 2000 resulting
in 8 & 9 being demolished. No 8 was rebuilt as a single dwelling
in 2002. Number nine is newly built in 2015.
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10
to 14 Four cottages all refurbished. It is difficult to locate
the occupiers shown in the 1891 and 1901 census.
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Chapel
Fields 'VJ Day' street party in the school
playing field in 1945. The Methodist Schoolrooms
are the right.
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Methodist
Chapel Sunday School in 2008
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15-20
Chapel Fields newly erected 1880 (see Shortmead Street) 15 1880
G Tebbs, 1881-1901 Francis Vorley saddler 16 1880-1891 William Larkins
blacksmith, 1901 Ernest Harradine coal porter. 17 1880 William Bryant
platelayer, 1891-1901 Edward Brown retired butcher. 18 1880-1891
David Sole junior coachbuilder; 1901 Lydia Tasker shop assistant
(she sold her shop at 130 in 1894). 19 1880 Charles Craddock basket
maker, 1891-1901 Samuel Berry railway clerk 20 1880-1891 David Sole
senior grocers porter 1901 assistant gardener
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This
takes us up to Brunts Lane.
Chapel
Fields East - Returning
along Chapel Fields to Church Street there is a large field purchased
by Bedfordshire Education Committee during the 1930's for the School
Playing Field. A
new building St Andrews Lower School replaced the school in Rose
Lane in 1988.
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These
sites in Chapel Fields detailed below were purchased by Wells &
Winch Ltd to extend the brewery.
1881-91
George Taylor Blacksmith. The Cattle Market closed in 1931 and moved
to Hitchin Street. 1928
from 1875 to 1890 William Larkins then George Taylor's Forge and
garden in Chapel Fields 1931
range of buildings comprising Sandon's former malting site 1943
Woodham's dairy in Chapel Fields 1944
Garden in Chapel Field A
Gentleman's Club then Brewery Social Club A
garden let to The Swan Hotel
The
Brewery 1764-1997 dominated the area
Samuel
Wells I took over an existing brewery in Brewery Lane now Church
Street together with The Kings Arms extending to High Street (now
Lloyds Bank) in 1764. He expanded his business buying four other
pubs when he died in 1791. His
son Samuel II continued and prospered. When he died in 1831, there
were 46 pubs several maltings including his mansion Ivell Bury and
wharf. He had already made his two sons in law Robert
Lindsell & William Hogg partners in Wells & Co. Robert Lindsell
built Fairfield House, William Hogg mover to Ivel Bury.
Wells
& Co continued to prosper with the brewery and bank. They sold
the bank to Capital & Counties Ltd (Later Lloyds) in 1893. The
brewery and 109 pubs were sold to George Winch of Chatham in 1898.
His family brewery had just merged into a new much larger company
Style & Winch Ltd at Maidstone. George
Winch set up a public company Wells & Winch Ltd in 1899 with
himself as Chairman and son Edward Bluett Winch managing director.
E.B. Winch moved into Stratton House in The Baulk. They completely
rebuilt the brewery and opened new offices in High Street.
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The new brewery in 1900,
published in 'The Brewers Journal' in June
1901
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Henlow
Brewery was purchased in 1900 and The Baldock Brewery Ltd in 1904.
Edward Winch left the district in 1913, but his wife Ruth continued
to live there for many years. The family were losing interest and
appointed Alfred John Redman, London Manager for Style & Winch
as Manager in 1915. He soon became Managing Director and purchased
Page & Co Westbury Brewery Ashwell in1919, sharing Day &
Sons Priory Brewery St. Neots with Charles Wells Ltd Bedford. There
was no connection with the Biggleswade Wells family.
A.J.
Redman gained control of the company by 1922 then completed the
purchase of Newland & Nash Ltd Lurke Street Bedford in 1923
effectively doubling the company. The brewery was extended and able
to absorb Higgins & Sons Ltd, Bedford in 1928. Hudson's Cambridge
& Pampisford Breweries followed in 1931. Then; both Wickhams
of Hertford and the Cambridge pubs of Barclay Perkins Ltd in 1938.
This was the peak when W&W controlled 383 pubs in eight counties
with an annual trade of 55,000 36- gallon barrels.
During
the 1839-45 war the company was able to sell all the beer it was
allowed to produce resulting in a record production of 89,736 barrels
of mainly mild beer in 1945. A new bottling plant opened in 1952,
with the company hoping to expand, but trade was decreasing and
there was a backlog of repairs with many small pubs in rural locations.
A large number were closed and facilities improved in those remaining.
Alfred Redman died in 1948 when his two sons Dudley & Jack Redman
were joint managing directors. Dudley Redman died in 1960 just as
the board was seeking to join with another brewer with similar ideals.
Agreement was reached with Greene King & Sons Ltd Bury St. Edmunds
in 1961. The company became Greene King (Biggleswade) Ltd and the
company restructured when the former Simpson Brewery at Baldock
closed.
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Brewery staff in 1890
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Brewery offices
about 1990
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New Bedford lorries in1980
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New brewery early in1990
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New 600 hectolitre brewhouse
1990
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Brewery operation
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Demolition has started
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View from the water tower,
over Back Street and Hight Street to the
Market Square - 1989.
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Demolition in progress
- April 1989
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Last Kegging Day on 10th
October 1997 and below the gates are closed
for the last time.
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Trade
continued to increase, a new keg beer plant opened in 1977 but bottling
ceased in 1981. In 1990 the brewery was gutted and a new state of
the art brewery created to brew both lager and ale. But,
contrary to expectations, the brewery closed in 1997 with production
concentrated at Bury St Edmunds.
The
6½ acre site now contains ASDA Superstore which opened on 28th November
2005 and a the back of small housing estate, Wells Court, built 2010.
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Seprember 2004 - the high
quality design that was ditched
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October 2004 - anotherdesign
that was rejected
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Asda under construction
in 2004 and the completed entrance in 2009
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And this was the one the
town ended up with.
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Continuing
along Church Street
1952
Was James Pope's meadow purchased by grocer John Moore in 1905 and
used as a garden for his shop and house behind High Street 1966
Turners Garden. Lawrence Gall purchased 1796 from John Bricheno
used by a succession of High Street chemists the last being George
Turner. 1967
Exchange of Land with Working Men's Club 1981
Hills Yard Windsor
Terrace was purchased in 1947 from Maurice Bennett and demolished
about 1979 when taken into the brewery yard
Where
the Working Men's Club now stands was the ancient Wynn's Barns which
suffered
a serious fire in 1874.
John
Greenhalf returning from The Crown Hotel with his supper beer saw
flames leaping up from John Tebbutt's farm in Back lane near
the brewery. Labourers drinking in The Golden Pheasant broke down
the gates of the farm and drove out the animals whilst other willing
hands brought up the fire manual, but alas water spurted from the
hose in all directions. With this he lost his house made of wood
and thatch, cart shed, a barn stocked with 10 tons of onions, three
in-foal mares, two sheep and pigs. Most of the loss was covered
by insurance and was estimated to be in the region of £800.
William
Page (my great grandfather) purchased the farmyard in 1892 and on
29th September 1900 he obtained the tenancy of Eagle Farm from the
Stratton Park Estate and moved his market garden & dairy business
to Eagle Farm. The Church Street site became the Council Yard when
he leased it to the Urban District Council for 7 years at £26 per
annum, as they were unable to pay for it. The UDC purchased it in
18/10/1907 for £550. It was sold in 1957 after Stratton House was
purchased. The Working Men's Club bought the site and exchanged
some land with the brewery to create their present premises.
Next
are four cottages known as Norfolk Terrace (6-9) built about
1860 are still standing; below are census records believed to relate
to here
1871 RG10/1550
S116-120
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1881
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1891
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1901
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John
Frazer Tailor
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John
Frazer Tailor
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Cornelius Taylor Tailor
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Cornelius Taylor Tailor
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Fanny
Wright Annuitant
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James Daines Basket Maker
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Frances
Marsom (wife)
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George W Bellamy Coachman
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Martha
Cooper Dressmaker
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Robert
Samuel Marsom Hostler
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Oliver Morris Blacksmith
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Eleanor
Pledger Seamstress
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William
Larkins Blacksmith Apprentice
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Thomas Taylor Blacksmith
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John
Frazier
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George Manger Grocers assistant |
Then
there was a footpath
through to Windsor Terrace and Claremont Cottages.
This followed by a walled garden
occupied by George Turner the High Street chemist. Next
came Hills Yard that was formerly used by Charles Ferguson
in connection with his livery stables and sold to Greene
King to extend the brewery premises. Today one will
see here Wells Court built in 2010 as 14 affordable
houses by North Herts Homes Ltd.
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The front of Wells Court
under construction in 2009
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Wells Court in April 2010
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Wells Court in November
2010
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1-5
lead up to Rose Lane
there are ancient but much altered cottages as
seen here in 2009 with suggested occupants from census
records.
1861
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1871
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1881
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1891
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1901
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Samuel
Peacock Coach Smith
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Samuel
Peacock Coach Smith
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Ann Peacock Annuitant
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George
Goodman Rural postman
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Caroline Goodman (widow)
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George
Bilcock Agricultural Labourer
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George
Bilcock Agricultural Labourer
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George
Bilcock
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Charles Bilcock Agricultural Labourer
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Elizabeth M
Church (widow)
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Thomas
Hodge Coach trimmer
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John
Dear Carpenter
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John Dear Former carpenter
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Alice
Tasker Tailoress
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William
Humberstone Agricultural Labourer
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William
Humberstone Agricultural Labourer
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Frederick Howe Bootmaker
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Annie
Howe Laundress
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Alice Howe Dressmaker
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Jane
Graves (wife)
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Jane
Graves (wife)
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Jared
Garner Butler
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George Carter
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George
Hill Blacksmith |
Returning
now from Rose Lane towards Shortmead Street on the
south side of Church Street the following properties have their frontage in High Street.
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First
is the
entrance to The Golden Pheasant public house,
an ancient property dating back to 1753
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The
caretaker's house at the rear of George's
Hall built in 1912.
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George's
Hall is on the left and the
rear of HSBC Bank is on the right. This opened in 1966 in the former
George Turner's chemist shop; note the high widow.
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The
cars on the left are parked at rear entrance to Barclays Bank
the bank was built in 1911.
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Then
comes Regency
Lodge is a block of flats in behind 43-7 High Street
originally four timber framed cottages.
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Bright
Styles hairdressers, The Barn also two flats. Charlie
Ferguson's former livery stables were behind his dwelling
53 High Street, where his mother moved from the New
Inn in 1912. Sometime after his widow, Maud
Ferguson, died in 1972 the premises became Church Street
Motorcycles. Ferguson's yard now (part of the brewery
site), was opposite.
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Product
Partners Ltd incorporated in 1995 completely refurbished
the building now known as The Old Warehouse. The rear
of John Moore's grocers shop at 51 High Street
was formerly a Maltings. They closed in 1952 and the
latest occupier is Howorth's shoes.
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This
rear yard of an ancient building was Brookbanks Outfitters;it
is now the back of three shops.
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The
back entrance to Lloyds Bank this was the Kings
Arms in 1764.
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Abbots
Walk leading to High Street was the Chequers
inn, rebuilt in 1900 as the brewery offices and
Henry Franklins' corn shop.
Abbotts Walk in 2008 and
at the entrance in 2009
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New
premises block built in 1985. Now offices, Age Uk
and Nationwide Building Society. This was the site of
an ancient building that survived the Great Fire. It
became F C Larkinson in 1935 when the premises
were reconstructed and old wooden buildings at the rear
were demolished.
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The
Crown Hotel garages below, left were rebuilt in the 1930's.
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The
Crown Hotel is where the Great Fire of Biggleswade
started in 1785 when about a third of the old town was
destroyed. The Crown Inn was rebuilt by 1800 together
with Swan Inn opposite on the High Street. A Wednesday corn market
was held outside the Crown a century ago.
Spong's
former printing works was built in 1909 behind their
chemist shop at 17 High Street. After it closed
Woodman & Son funeral parlour moved to 3 Market
Square in 1996.Carpentry Management Contracting completely
refurbished the premises as The Old Print Works in 2000.
Now Aiden Jones personal trainer gymnasium.
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With the Crown Hotel car
park on the far left the building with the
blue door is 'The Old Printworks'
in 2006.
The
rear entrance to Poundstretcher is on the right
with the brown door. This was the storeroom
for William Maddams' Wine Shop purchased on 1840 and
sold John Moore the grocer at no 51 in 1909.
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The
rear entrance to Poundstretcher is
behind the first car.
Looking into the far distance Savage's
establishment can just be seen.
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Aiden Jones personal trainer gymnasium.
Savage's is now the shiny new building with
its delightful mansard roof.
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Rear
of National Westminster bank originally The Westminster
Bank built in 1927.
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Flats
1 to 9 St Andrew's Court, behind Rylstone House,
was Dodimead's furniture shop now Taylor's
Estate Agents
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The
former White Horse now (2015) Loline Interiors
can just be seen on the corner; it is No 1 High Street
and concludes this walk.
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All material is copyright Biggleswade History
Society 2005-15
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