Please contact our Chairman, Sandra Ransom, if you wish to purchase any of the publications listed below or require any information.
Payment can be made by cash or cheque to Steve Williams, 47 Brunel Drive, Biggleswade, SG18 8BT or Bank Transfer to Biggleswade History Society,
Sort Code 30-90-79, Account No 00224815.
All books can be despatched to you anywhere in the world but please note that all prices will be subject to a post and packing charge at cost that will depend upon the weight and destination of your order.
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Townsfolk of Biggleswade
Meet the people who lived and worked in the town.
NB Vol 3 – Hard copy sold out but available as a scanned copy by email for 50p.
Vol 1
Vol 2
Vol 3
Vol 4
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Old Biggleswade Volumes 1 – 5
£1.00 each
This popular series features photographs and press cuttings which have been fully researched and captioned; a fascinating insight into life in the town in days gone by. Many of the pictures include local people, making these of interest to anyone researching Biggleswade families.
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Bygone Biggleswade Volumes 1 – 3
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Biggleswade in Words and Pictures
This is a reproduction of “A History of Biggleswade” first published by Spong and Sons in 1913. The Society has included local advertisements and thirty-two photographs for added interest plus an appendix written by member Don Hill.
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Biggleswade Heritage Trail – Vol 1
This volume covers the heart of Biggleswade, High Street and Market Square, as a historical descriptive walk along the properties with 199 accompanying photographs.
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The Great Fire of Biggleswade – June 16th 1785
An account of the fire and historical notes relative to that period in the town’s history.
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True Tales Told of Biggleswade of Old
This is a fascinating insight into the customs and practices of the past. It provides a permanent record of reminiscences that would otherwise be lost forever.
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BHS Notelets
This attractive set of six cards and envelopes with views of Biggleswade reproduced from original water colour paintings by Neville Howard Noller.
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Ken Page Publications
Thirsty Old Town – The Story of Biggleswade Pubs
Pubs have always been a prominent feature in our town. This book provides an extensive catalogue of Pubs past and present complete with black and white photographs of many of them. It is arranged by location making it easy to follow a trail of discovery.
NB Hard copy sold out but available as a scanned copy by email for 50p.
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The Story Of Biggleswade Brewery
This book was put together after much extensive research.
It is based on Ken’s personal experience over 49 years supplemented by talking to fellow workers and studying a wealth of documents.
NB Hard copy sold out but available as a scanned copy by email for 50p.
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Other Biggleswade Publications
Remember Your Manor – Stratton Park Estate, Biggleswade
by Mary Webb
The demise of Stratton Park Estate. 2nd Edition.
NB Hard copy sold out but available as a scanned copy by email for 50p.
Poems and Pictures
by Mary Webb
NB Hard copy sold out but available as a scanned copy by email for 50p.
Biggleswade’s Character and Characters
by Mary Webb
NB Hard copy sold out but available as a scanned copy by email for 50p.
Dan Albone – Cyclist, Inventor and Manufacturer
by Ray Miller and Lee Irvine
£10.00 Each
Available from BHS or Pedals, Shortmead St, Biggleswade
The book can also be purchased at some Society meetings, please contact us to arrange.
Dan Albone (1860–1906), a Biggleswade man, was an important figure in cycling during the 1880s and 1890s, not only as rider, inventor and ‘Ivel’ cycle manufacturer, but also as someone who was renowned for providing hospitality for cyclists.
He was not a major manufacturer but his influence was profound, working with A.J.(Faed) Wilson and G.P. Mills. He was also a great character and a prominent public figure in Biggleswade.
This comprehensive work presents new material on the development of the hands-off safety bicycle, the first practical ladies’ bicycle and the tandem, as well as the Ivel Motor Car, Motor Bicycle and the Ivel Agricultural Motor (tractor).
A dozen of Dan’s catalogues are reproduced together with all of his patents. Profusely illustrated, this attractive hard cover book has 434 printed A4 pages and will be treasured by all those who are interested in Dan and in Biggleswade’s history.
Published by the Veteran-Cycle Club and launched in Biggleswade by Biggleswade History Society on 10 January 2012.
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Addenda and Corrigenda
We thank all who have purchased a copy of Ray Miller & Lee Irvine’s book on Dan Albone Cycles, Inventor & Manufacturer, ‘Ivel Cycles’.
From feedback and painstaking checking a number of corrections and additions have been collated for a fuller picture and your enjoyment.
Please download the Addenda and Corrigenda and continue to learn more about Biggleswade’s pioneer and inventor:
Dan Albone Addenda and Corrigenda (PDF)
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Three Market Towns – DVD – Price £15
Filmed in High Definition and Wide Screen in 2009 in Potton, Sandy and Biggleswade, “Three Market Towns” explores familiar and less known aspects of the towns and their recent past – lost industries, the war years, changes in roads and railways, the development of sports, and a wide range of events from village shows to carnivals and flower festivals.
It looks at the work of some creative people and interviews others with long memories. It uses old films, photos and artefacts and goes back to past centuries to see how the towns and surrounding areas were shaped by those who went before. The crew climbed church towers, went behind the scenes at the British Museum to find the Biggleswade coin, filmed objects unearthed in Sandy’s archaeological excavations, filmed the final resting place of the steam locomotive “Shannon” and a Dan Albone Ivel tractor ploughing after 106 years!
The film is beautifully presented by Pam Rhodes, remembered and loved for her work as a presenter of BBC’s “Songs of Praise”.
Running time 73 minutes.
“Billy Lincoln” Films – Price £2
These amateur films were taken in the 1930s by Ernest William Thomas “Billy” Lincoln (1900-1936). They show various aspects of life in the town together with a trip to Belgium.