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  • The Shaping of Turvey: Saxons to Enclosure

    The Shaping of Turvey: Saxons to Enclosure

    21/01/2019
    The Saxons All Saints Church gives us our first easily accessed glimpse of what was here before.  When we go beyond ...
  • Origins of a Village

    Origins of a Village

    20/01/2019
    Turvey has fresh water, a river with a crossing point, fertile land in the river valley and natural building materials – what better place for a settlement.
  • Capturing Turvey's Heritage

    Capturing Turvey's Heritage

    20/01/2019
    A look at previous and present attempts to capture Turvey's Heritage.
  • The Bedfordshire Regiment

    The Bedfordshire Regiment

    19/01/2019
    The Bedfordshire Regiment was raised in 1688 as Archibald Douglas’ Regiment of Foot (i.e. infantry) by order of King James II. During World War I, the regiment raised 21 battalions (500 to 600 men); quite an achievement for one of Britain’s smaller counties.
  • Peace Celebrations in Turvey

    Peace Celebrations in Turvey

    19/01/2019
    Saturday 19th July 1919 was a very special day of celebration in Turvey. For on that day the village came together to celebrate the end of the first world war.
  • The Tincker of Turvey

    The Tincker of Turvey

    17/01/2019
    The building now occupied by the Central Stores and the adjoining houses was once a well-known inn called “The Tinkers Inn”. This article explores the possible origin of that name and provides a brief history of the inn starting with The Canterbury Tales.
  • All Saints Church: A Historical Summary

    All Saints Church: A Historical Summary

    12/01/2019
    All Saints Church has stood at the heart of Turvey for over 1000 years. Here we explore the changes the church has undergone in that time, and discuss some of the main features of historical interest in the church.
  • Turvey and Field Names

    Turvey and Field Names

    11/01/2019
    What do the names of the fields around Turvey tell us about our village's history?
  • Turvey at the time of the Domesday Survey

    Turvey at the time of the Domesday Survey

    05/01/2019
    Turvey has eight separate entries in the Domesday Book. Each entry lists the major land owner before 1066 – and his under tenants and the major land owners in 1086 and his under tenants.
  • There But Not There

    There But Not There

    05/01/2019
    As part of the commemorations of the centenary of the end of WW1 the “There But Not There” silhouette have been produced in the hope that villages and towns erect one as a tribute and as an act of remembrance to those who never came home.
  • Turvey’s Farming Past

    Turvey’s Farming Past

    04/01/2019
    A general introduction to the history of agriculture and the methods of farming that have been used in Turvey.
  • All Saints Church Bells and Clock

    All Saints Church Bells and Clock

    04/01/2019
    All Saints has a peal of eight bells, some dating from the 17th century. The clock dates from the late 19th century.
  • An Introduction to the Higgins of Bedford & Turvey Family Tree

    An Introduction to the Higgins of Bedford & Turvey Family Tree

    18/12/2018
    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.
  • Whatever happened to Joseph Bell?

    Whatever happened to Joseph Bell?

    18/12/2018
    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?
  • Oak Apple Day, 29th May

    Oak Apple Day, 29th May

    18/12/2018
    There are many local variants to the traditional Royal Oak Day celebrations, but we know that in Turvey it was celebrated as Oak Apple Day, because Joseph Bell writes about it in his memoirs.
  • What led to the establishment of a Congregational Chapel in Turvey?

    What led to the establishment of a Congregational Chapel in Turvey?

    14/12/2018
    In 1827 the Rev. Legh Richmond who had been the much loved Rector of Turvey for over twenty years, died. Legh Richmond had been an Evangelical Anglican but his successor, the Rev. Hawksley, was not.
  • An Introduction to Turvey Congregational Chapel

    An Introduction to Turvey Congregational Chapel

    14/12/2018
    In 1828 forty people abandoned the Parish Church and met in a barn on Mill Green. There was soon support to build an independent Chapel. The opening service was held on 17th March 1829 with over 300 people attending.
  • From Turvey to New Zealand

    From Turvey to New Zealand

    15/11/2018
    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.
  • The First Assisted Passage to New Zealand

    The First Assisted Passage to New Zealand

    13/11/2018
    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.
  • Plough Monday

    Plough Monday

    30/10/2018
    Plough Monday festivities took place in Turvey and the rest of Bedfordshire well into the 20th century, as evidenced by these newspaper articles.
  • The Purchase of Turvey

    The Purchase of Turvey

    29/10/2018
    The 5th Earl of Peterborough decided to sell his estates in Turvey in 1786. The sale was divided into 6 lots. The six lots are described together with the purchaser and the price paid.
  • Charles Higgins: The Grocer who purchased Turvey

    Charles Higgins: The Grocer who purchased Turvey

    06/10/2018
    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.
  • Jonah and his "Partner"

    Jonah and his "Partner"

    31/08/2018
    How Jonah and his partner came to be placed in the Mill Stream by Turvey Bridge
  • All Saints’ Church Organ

    All Saints’ Church Organ

    22/08/2018
    The history of the Hill organ in All Saints Church, from its presentation to the church in 1838, up to the present day.
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Latest comments
  • Sara Jenkins on Turvey Skiffle Group

    13/02/2022
    Thank you for clarifying Mark. Kind regards, Sara
  • Sara Jenkins on An Edwardian Childhood at Picts Hill (2)

    13/02/2022
    Hi Julie, I emailed you a while ago in reply to your message to say we're really interested to hear...
  • Mark Hartwell on Turvey Skiffle Group

    10/02/2022
    Sorry Sara, just seen your comment. Tony is our father
  • Sara Jenkins on Nell’s Well

    22/11/2021
    Lovely to hear your memories of the well and of Fyfe Robertson's broadcast Jan. If you. or anyone else, would...
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