Bedford Borough Council logo Central Bedfordshire Council logo

The Virtual Library

Menu
Follow us on Pinterest Follow us on Twitter Contact us on Facebook Home Page What's On Contact Us Help

Little Barford
Timeline

Places > Little Barford

1267: Four people drowned when trying to cross the river by ferry when it was very high. A few years later the ferryman was drowned in similar circumstances.

14th Century: The Norman south doorway survives from the original 12th century church. The north arcade and the arches to the tower and chancel date from the early 14th century and in the mid 14th century a chapel was added on the end of the chancel.Nicholas Rowe

1674: Nicholas Rowe, minor dramatist and poet laureate born in the cottage in the village. He was appointed to the post of Poet Laureate in 1715 and when he died in 1718 at the age of 44 he was buried in the Poet's Corner of Westminster Abbey.

1778: Little Barford Enclosure Act.

1869: The chancel was rebuilt.

1872: The village school built for 38 children.

1945-47: Little Barford Power Power Station built.

1946: Village School closes.

1968: The church no longer used for worship.

1972: The church closed and vested in the Redundant Churches Funs on the 14th November.

1985:  Little Barford Power Station closes.

1989:  Little Barford Power Station demolished.

1994: The first two chimneys topping National Power's 250 million gas fired power station lifted into place. (Biggleswade Chronicle, 8th April 1994)

Sources:

  • The newspapers cuttings collection at Bedford Central Library.
  • PICKFORD, C.  Bedfordshire Churches in the 19th Century. Beds Historical Record Soc. Vol.73 1994.

Page last updated: 3rd February 2014