Yelden
Timeline

Places > Yelden

11th/12th Century: Yelden Motte and Bailey Castle probably built during this period. The castle is mentioned in the Northamptonshire Pipe Rolls for 1173-74 regarding the cost of the knights in the castle. By 1360-61 the castle was abandoned and is recorded as having "fallen intirely to decay".

13th Century: There was a church in Yelden by 1162 but no trace of this original church remains. The main walls of the nave and chancel of the present church date from the 13th century.

17th Century: The Chequers Inn built in the early part of this century.

1641: William Dell was Rector of Yelden from 1641 until 1662. He allowed John Bunyan to preach there on Christmas Day 1659. Dell served as a chaplain in the Parliamentary Army.

1845: The village school opened.

1861: The 1861 census listed 18 girls (under the age of 12) and 59 women engaged in the production of pillow lace in the village.

1877: The windmill was burnt down in October during a tremendous gale. The sails were forced into action and the uncontrolled friction caused the fire.

c1881: Brickworks north east of Bolton Farm established from about this date, the works had closed down by 1910.

1884: Wesleyan Chapel built on the site of a former building.

1921: Yelden Institute opened in September, the building was originally an Isolation Hospital at Raunds. The hut was purchased for the sum of 500. During the war the building was used as an ARP Centre.

1924: The village school closed, the children were then sent to Riseley School in a small bus.

1950: The Chequers Inn burnt down and a new inn built on the site of the old one.

Sources:

• The newspapers cuttings collection at Bedford Central Library
• PICKFORD, Christopher  Bedfordshire Churches in the 19th Century Vol.79 Bedfordshire Historical Record Society. 2000.
• Yelden Past and Present.  1984.

Page last updated: 4th February 2014