Barton-le-Clay Timeline

Places > Barton-le-Clay

Thirteenth century: Work begins on the building of St. Nicholas's Church

1895: The Luton Reporter gave details of a disruptive gale in the 30th March edition "During the gale which passed over this village on Sunday no casualties occurred to man or beast. The most serious damage that was done occurred at the Wesleyan Chapel to a stained glass window, which was blown out. A tiled roof was blown off a shed and several thatched buildings suffered more or less severely, while chimney tops, ridge tiles and slates were carried into the street by the fury of the storm. Several trees were blown down."

1894: A row broke out between the Rector and the village over the rights to use Barton Hills which lay in the Rector's glebe.

1898: Under Barton News the Luton Reporter noted the following strange event "A freak of nature - a duck belonging to Councillor Burr last week laid an egg which when it opened was found to contain another egg, with shell and yoke in perfectly developed condition."

1900: On the 23rd February the Luton Reporter noted "A meeting was held in the schoolroom on Saturday evening when 13 young men volunteered to form a volunteer corps in the village. We understand that Mr Torr (of Hexton House) has kindly promised to assist the movement."

1904: In the issue of the 22nd December the Luton Reporter gave details of a new set of bells in St. Nicholas' Parish Church "the dedication of three new bells, to complete the octave peal, in this ancient edifice took place on Saturday afternoon...the bells have been supplied by Messrs. Bowel and Son, of Ipswich, who have toned the bells in a very able manner."

1905: Not all locally reported news could claim to be of huge import although it might have been of some local interest, for example the Luton Reporter (6th October) included this snippet under Barton News "Interesting to potato growers - Mr R. Price of Rectory Farm has just had some potatoes dug, one weighing 3lbs 5ozs."

1906: The 8th September issue of the Luton Reporter included this notice of harvest gathering in the village "Harvest operations are practically over in this neighbourhood. Through exceptionally fine weather no hindrance has been caused to the ingathering. A revival of gleaning has also taken place and the gleaners may be daily seen carrying home large bundles of corn."

1908: An interesting piece of natural history news " A white sparrow with eyes resembling those of a ferret, was recently caught by a resident in the Manor Road" (25th July, Luton Reporter?).

1909: "Empire Day - flags were displayed on the church and many houses on Empire Day. The school children, wearing flowers, hoisted the flag and sang patriotic songs. In the evening a dance was held at the schools, a good number attending. The string band from Ampthill was in attendance." (2nd May, Luton Reporter?).

1909: "In honour of the King passing through the village on Saturday the High Street was gaily decorated, reminding one of the Coronation festivities....(as the car approached)....the King could be seen sitting on the right hand side. The car proceeded at walking pace." (July 29th, Luton Reporter?).

1909: The Luton News recorded the following crime "Abednego Lilley, farmer, of Hill House Farm Barton, was summoned at the Luton Divisional Petty Sessions on Tuesday for allowing three horses to stray on the highway at Barton, November 13th. When asked whether he was guilty or not guilty he said he was very much obliged to the policeman for putting the horses in. He supposed he was guilty but he must take the policeman's word for it. He was fined 10s."

1919: A war memorial window unveiled in the Church of St. Nicholas to the 25 men who lost their lives during the First World War.

1920: The first World War memorial unveiled by Mr G. Warren and dedicated by the Rev. J.H. Spokes. It named 25 local men who lost their lives in action.

1928: Barton Mill ceased working.

1932: The natural springs at Barton converted from natural springs to piped springs.

1939: The Luton News notes the dedication of the new burial ground. The land was given by an anonymous donor.

1939 - 1948: Lime kiln tunnels at Barton used for research activity.

1941: The Bedfordshire Times recorded "The sum of 9,263 15s 4d was subscribed by the people of Barton during their war weapons week, which closed on Saturday. It represents more than 9 per head of population" (14th March)

1941: As part of the war effort the ladies of Barton knitted socks. The Luton News (20th November) records "sixty pairs of socks have been sent to Barton lads serving by Mrs A.E. Beecheners knitting party".

1942: Barton raises nearly 15,000 for "Warships Week". This was nearly 5,000 more than hoped for amount.

1942: All the railings in the village are taken away for the war effort. "The village presents a somewhat naked appearance this week, a removal squad having gone round on Monday and taken all the iron railings etc. Scheduled under the Government's scheme for requisitioning such articles for use in the munitions industry. The two Methodist Chapels are among buildings thus denuded." (Luton News 5th November).

1943: The Luton News records "A parcel of oranges and lemons sent by the husband of Mrs Dan Saunders was a prize at a dance in the Schools on Saturday evening for Barton Soldiers Comforts Fund." (4th November).

1944: The Luton News (27th April) sadly reported that "Mrs Eileen Dunn has been notified that her husband, Gunner Thomas Dunn has been killed in Italy - the first local casualty."

1944: Barton aims to raise 5,000 for Salute the Soldier Week. By May it had raised nearly half that amount. (Luton News 4th May).

1945: V.E. Day rejoicing "Close on 400 people attended a thanksgiving service at the Parish Church on Tuesday evening which was conducted by the Rector Canon F. Wolde, assisted by the Methodist Superintendent Rev. H. Goldstone Edwards, who gave an inspiring address. After the service the bells were rung. During the day people decorated their homes and at night coloured lights provided illumination, and there was dancing until the early hours of the morning." (Luton News 16th May).

1949: The Chiltern Hills surrounding Barton classified as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act.

1978: Barton Rovers win a place through to the FA Vase final at Wembley.

1980: A violent storm caused havoc in the county. Barton was worst hit with water nearly 2ft deep in places. Residents in Manor Road and Stuart Road were flooded.

1988: Barton Stores closes business after more than 120 years. The shop was owned by the Horsler family for 118 years.

1988: Ceremony held to mark the formal start of work on the Barton Bypass.

1989: Claims that abandoned caves at a former lime works were contaminated with radioactive waste investigated by the County Council and South Bedfordshire District Council. No contamination was found after extensive work by health officials with the help of scientists who had worked at the site during the 1940's.

1990: Barton bypass officially opened by the Minister for State for Transport, Lord Brabazon of Tara and MPs John Carlisle and David Madel.

1990: Barton church bells refurbished at a cost of 40,000.

1992: New broad-leaved woodland planted close to the Barton Bypass by the Bedfordshire Greenspace Initiative.

Sources:

Newspaper cuttings in Barton-le-Cley Library
Newspaper cuttings in Bedford Central Library

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