Oakley
Timeline
Places > Oakley
12th - 15th
Century: Oakley church built. The lower portion of tower dates from the
12th century and the chancel and the arcades of the nave date from the 13th
century. The church was remodelled in the 15th century. The church
contains a chancel screen on which is painted a picture of Christ seated on a
rainbow with an orb at his feet.1230: Stephen De Castell is the first incumbent of Oakley church.
1522: Foot Causeway first recorded, by 1630 there were at least 30 small arches carrying the causeway across the flood plain.
1630: Stafford Bridge near Oakley described as having four high arches.
1714: Oakley House built by Henry Holland.
1735: In 1735 an infirm Oakley woman, over 60 years of age, was accused of being a witch. She was ducked three times but because she floated was thought to be in league with the devil. It was then agreed to weigh her against the great bible from the church, it being argued that "the scriptures being the work of God Himself, must necessarily outweigh all the operations of the vassals of the devil." As the poor woman outweighed the bible, the villagers thought she must be innocent and left in some perplexity.
1757: Oakley House purchased by the 4th Duke of Bedford.
1803: Oakley Enclosure Act.
1847: Kelly's Directory of this year notes seven farmers, one bricklayer, two tailors, one carpenter, one grocer & draper, one miller, two boot & shoe makers, one gardener, one butcher and one blacksmith amongst the tradesmen.
1849: Primitive Methodist Chapel built.
1857: Oakley Board School opened.
1878: Oakley Methodist Church built.
1894: On December 4th Oakley Parish Council formed.
1902: Bedford Isolation Hospital built.
1908: Home for old soldiers from the Bedfordshire Regiment opened. It was given by the Duke of Bedford.
1918: Lord and Lady Ampthill move into Oakley House.
1938: Rail Accident at Oakley Junction. An express train crashed into a goods train killing three people injuring another eight.
1958: Oakley Station closed for passenger traffic.
1961: Population totals 624 people.
1963: Oakley Secondary Modern built, later to become Lincroft Middle School.
1963: Oakley Station is completely closed .
1970: Oakley's former House of Industry destroyed by fire.
1971: Population totals 1,335 people.
1971: The church tower found to be in need of attention and durring the following year the external stonework was re-pointed and repaired where necessary.
1973: As a result of a gale, the weather vane on the top of the church blew down and broke onto pieces. This was replaced with a new weather vane in the shape of a fish.
1979: A sixth bell dedicated by the Bishop of Bedford in June to add to the existing five bells of Oakley church. 2,000 raised for the purchase.
1981: Population totals 2,296 people.
1983: The Sisters of St. Etheldreda Home in Bedford, give their altar complete with set of hangings to the church, as a result of being obliged to leave their residence.
1990: Bedfordshire County Council impose a 17 tonne weight restriction on Oakley Bridge.
Sources:
- Gilbert, Rev. E.D. Some notes on Oakley and the parish church with additional notes to 1990, 1991
Page last updated: 3rd February 2014