People

A view from "The Three Fyshes" - Memoirs of Fred Collins
Not many people can claim to have been born in a pub, but the chances are increased if your father runs an inn such as The Three Fyshes
Allan Vernon Beswick
Allan Beswick was a South African soldier who died in 1917 and was buried in Turvey Cemetery alongside his uncle from Cold Brayfield.
An Edwardian Childhood at Picts Hill (1)
In 1901, Marigo, the 9 year old daughter of Ambrose and Henrietta Argenti of Picts Hill House, began a diary which chronicled her life in Turvey and London at the beginning of the 20th century. In the first of two articles based on the diaries we learn about the typical routine and pastimes of a child in an Edwardian country house and get a glimpse of some of the family’s domestic staff.
An Edwardian Childhood at Picts Hill (2)
In this, the second of two articles, we return to the diaries of Marigo Argenti of Picts Hill House, written when she was aged 9 and 10 in 1901 and 1902. The entries reveal the contrast between the privileged life of Marigo and the ‘poor people’ she encounters out on walks. We also join the family on holiday and discover how they celebrated various events through the year.
An Introduction to the Higgins of Bedford & Turvey Family Tree
Starting with John Higgins of Weston Underwood (1595 - 1656) the article describes the family ancestry leading to the Turvey House and Turvey Abbey Estates together with Pictshill Farm and the Bedford Brewery.
Bartram Family Memories of WW2
WW2 memories of the Parachute bomb that caught in a Turvey Tree and the Distinguished Service Medal awarded to Turvey resident Bill Bartram.
Charles Higgins: The Grocer who purchased Turvey
The article details the apprenticeship of Charles Higgins to his uncle Joseph Kilpin and the establishment of his own business. The proceeds from this wholesale grocery business provided the wealth for the purchase of part of the Turvey Estate.
Frederick Smith Hilson
In the aftermath of WW1, the Turvey War Memorial formed a focal point for the loss and pride experienced by village families. This article provides an insight into the life of Frederick Smith Hilson who is commemorated on the village memorial.
From Turvey to New Zealand
The 1850s saw a number of families emigrated to New Zealand through various assisted passenger schemes. There they prospered, and the visitors book at All Saints Church reflects the number of their ancestors who return to Turvey to see their roots.
Joseph Bell
In 1926, at the age of 80, Joseph Bell decided to record his memories of life in Turvey. These memories formed the central narrative of the play ‘Bells of Turvey’, performed in the village hall in November 2017.
Stories in the Landscape: Accidental greed in the Tinker of Turvey in 1838
Alfred Russel Wallace as a fifteen year old stayed in the Tinker Of Turvey whilst helping his brother survey the parish. The article describes how Alfred and the trainee accidentally ate the whole dinner for all guests in the inn.
The First Assisted Passage to New Zealand
Turvey born Jane Davison emigrated to New Zealand on the first assisted passage in 1842. Together with her husband Thomas Parr they established orchards and nurseries in Oratia, West Auckland.
The Mardlin Family of Turvey
In the second half of the nineteenth century, a village policeman was a very prominent person in village life, “preserving the Queen's Peace”.
The Vale Family of Turvey: Memories of Roy Hodgson
William Vale came with his wife to live in Turvey in the 1860s. He became the manager of the Gas Works which was established in Bridge Street in 1867. This account written by William’s great grandson covers the period from these early days of gas lighting in the village through to memories of a Turvey childhood in the 1930s and 1940s.
The Whitworths and Turvey Mill
The Whitworths brand is known throughout the world and now based at the Victoria Mills site in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. This series of articles show how Turvey Mill played an important part in the history of both the company and the Whitworth family.
The Whitworths and Turvey Mill
Part 2 – Turvey Mill passes between the generations. (1846 – 1877)
The Whitworths and Turvey Mill
Part 3 – John Battams Whitworth and the great fire (1877 – 1885)
The Whitworths and Turvey Mill
Part 4 - Turvey Mill since 1886
Turvey's Australian Connections with World War 1
Claude Choules was the last surviving participant of WW1 when he died at the age of 110 in 2011.Claude was a great uncle of a Turvey resident. Percy Clifton, whose name appears on the Memorial Cross emigrated to Australia sometime after 1911 and served in the 4th Batallion, Australian Regiment.
Turvey’s Memorial to The Great War
In each village and town in Britain it was decided to erect a memorial to those who had died. Turvey’s was erected and unveiled in December 1919 in front of over 500 people.
Was John Bunyan the Tinker of Turvey ?
In ‘The Ladies Monthly Museum’ magazine dated November 1817 (page 248) there is an intriguing, albeit anonymous, note that states: The ...
Were the Mordaunts involved in the Gunpowder Plot?
There has long been a rumour that some, or at least one, of the conspirators of the Gunpowder Plot sheltered in Turvey Church as they fled from London, by various routes, to meet up in Warwickshire.
Whatever happened to Joseph Bell?
The musical “The Bells of Turvey” premiered in Turvey in 2017 tells the story of a young boy from Turvey in the 1850’s, based on the memoirs of a real Joseph Bell. The play ends at the time when Joe is apprenticed to the master shoemaker. What happened next?
Who were the Mordaunts?
The Mordaunt family: their connection to Turvey and their importance in the public and political life in England.