Westoning, Bedfordshire

 

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Bunyan in Westoning

The Autumn 2002 edition of Bedfordshire County Life Magazine , is now available at independent news stands,WHSmith and supermarkets, and it has an article entitled 'Bunyan in Westoning' . The article states the actual association of John Bunyan and his arrest in the Parish of Westoning in 1660. Information is given on the circumstances of his arrest, relevant background information and map of the Westoning Parish area where the arrest took place.

This article is a supplement to the book ' The Parish of Westoning Chronicle 2002' which is to be published within the parish in Sept/Oct 2002.

Enquiries can be made to the editor Henry Jennings 01525-717517 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Westoning Parish Council are pleased to announce the publication of
' The Parish of Westoning Chronicle 2002'

Over a period of almost 2 years a group of residents have produced the definitive history of Westoning along with chapters on its past and present residents, clubs, inns, businesses , recreation as well as its religious and educational institutions.

The book is just over 200 pages, including 8 coloured pages, 100 black and white photos many not seen for a number of years,16 maps,appendices on records about the parish kept at County Hall , a VERY comprehensive index (over 500 items) including people and detailed information on past & present parish activities.

The history covers from AD 880 to the present day.

The last time this was done was with an insert in the Domesday Book of 1086!

There is a soft (£15) and a special hard bound (£30) covered versions. The book will be on sale in the parish from 1 November 2002 making it an ideal Christmas present for all , including relatives,friends and past residents now living outside the parish.

Approaching 500 copies sold since
it went on sale in November 2002.....

The book can still be purchased at:-

Either
County Bookshop, Bedford
Or
Londis Stores, Westoning
Or
The Bell Public House, Westoning.

Its interesting..its funny...and its something which is sure to be used as a reference book over the years ahead.

Round the County 100 years ago - 1902 to 2002

There are several pages taken from Round the Counties involving Westoning. Pages (i) and (ii) are intended to give previous and present day residents, both at home and abroad, an insight to what the Parish of Westoning, Bedfordshire was like in 1902. From it is hoped they can become aware of its past history and the changes that have taken place over the years in the parish. The linked pages (i) & (ii) are copies of two articles published on 13th and 27th of June 1902 in the Bedfordshire Times giving past and present information on the parish of Westoning under the heading of Round the County.

A.R. (?) wrote the two articles.

Up to the 27th June 1902 seventy-five similar articles had appeared in the Bedfordshire Times about the towns and villages of Bedfordshire. The copies were transcribed by Henry Jennings from film of varying quality.

Acknowledgements to: -
Bedfordshire Times
Bedford Reference Library, Central Library, Bedford

Parish of Westoning, Bedfordshire…. What might have been?

Author: - Henry Jennings, also Editor of 'Parish of Westoning Chronicle' due for publication in late September 2002. This article is intended to supplement information already given in the above book.

The book gives a fully up to date and comprehensive history of the Parish of Westoning and it can be obtained from John Read, Clerk to the Westoning Parish Council or Henry Jennings Tel. No. 01525-717517 or various outlets in the village. The following is a review of what Westoning might have become if three developments had taken place in the parish during the period 1894-1927. It is interesting when reading about the history of various villages and towns to consider the reasons why they grew, developed and take the form that they are in today.

In the case of Westoning such a study leads one to speculate as to what it might have been if three significant establishments of; a major brick manufacturing works, a garden city development and a main line railway station had become permanent features in its general development.
Westoning in 2002 has a population of just over 2000 residents in 700 households. What might well have happened is shown from the following information taken from the various sources indicated.

 

[From Samuel Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of England 1831.]

WESTONING , a parish in the hundred of MANSHEAD , county of BEDFORD , 4 miles (S. by W.) from Ampthill, containing 634 inhabitants. The living is a discharged vicarage, in the archdeaconry of Bedford, and diocese of Lincoln, rated in the king's books at £9. 17., and in the patronage of John Everett, Esq. The church is dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene. There is a place of worship for Baptists.