Northill
Timeline
Places >Northill
1224: Richard de Lada, the first recorded priest of Northill, is presented to the parish by the Earl of Gloucester.
1330: Building work starts on St. Mary's church. From 1350-1370 work is carried out on the chancel and work starts on the porch and the upper stages of the tower in in c1400.
1405: Northill church becomes a collegiate church with a company of priests to say prayers everyday for the repose of John Traylly (Knight) and his son Reginald. The college was dissolved in 1547.
1639: Thomas Tompion, "the Father of English Clock making" is baptised in Northill church. He left the village when he was 15 and was apprenticed to a London clock maker. He subsequently became one of the greatest clockmakers.
1680: The Harvey family purchase Ickwell Bury and later much of the parish. They re-built the Bury but this house was burnt down by "a madman" in 1937.
1861: Queen's Head public house first licensed. The first licensee was John Tate who was also the owner. In 1877 it was leased to Wells and Co. It was later purchased by Wells and Winch (1907). The public house passed through various hands until it closed in July 1960.
1862: The church restored under the direction of Mr. A Woodyer at a cost of 2,163.
1880: The lynch gate at the south-east entrance to the church yard erected as a memorial to John Harvey of Ickwell (1815-1879). It was designed by Sir. W. A. Blomfield and cost 180.
1933: The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers visit Northill and fix a plaque in the Parish church.
1939: 151 unaccompanied children, 38 mothers with 52 children and 10 adults evacuated to Northill.
1952: The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers fix a plaque to the birthplace of Thomas Tompion.
1965: Northill Methodist Chapel closes.
1974: A Commons Commissioner ruled that the area known as Thorncote Green at Northill was Common Land.
1983: Thanks to a large fundraising effort, 43,000 is raised to complete urgent repairs on the church, including a new stainless steel cover for the tower roof, new gutters, re-pointing the tower and buttresses, and replacing 170ft of walling.
1988: Proposals to demolish the old village gaol cause controversy in the village.
1995: Northill Lower School opens a new extension with a brand new library, reception area, medical room and kitchen.
2000: Northill Lower School is further extended to provide a large classroom and offices. The extension was opened by Rt. Rev. John Richardson, Bishop of Bedford.
Sources:
- Newspaper cuttings and pamphlets in the collection at Bedford Central Library
Page last updated: 3rd February 2014