History

Take a step back in time with all things historical from the local area

27th Aug 2020

The movers and the shakers who came to the manor

Linford Manor has a long and varied history; from residence of the Lord Mayor of London, to rock ‘n’ roll recording studio. If its walls could talk, what a lot they would have to say. These days, it is home to Pete Winkelman and his family. Sammy Jones takes a peek into its past for our August history feature. The present manor house at Great Linford is a jewel in the crown of the park it stands elegantly in, and a jewel in the new city of Milton Keynes which has grown up around it. It is an evocative, engaging and handsome home. Great Linford’s earlier medieval manor was purchased from Sir Richard Napier by Sir William Pritchard in the late seventeenth century. Sir William – who held the position of Lord Mayor of London in 1682 – had the original manor demolished and the present one erected using many..

Read More
09th Jun 2020

‘It had the atmosphere of a magician’s lair…...

The Taylor family were at the heart of life in Newport Pagnell for almost 200 years and their name is still revered. Sammy Jones takes a peek into their past. We'll never know for sure why William Taylor decided to relocate to Newport Pagnell, but the Berkshire-born businessman must have seen a special something in the small town when he arrived in 1825. Small though it was, it was perfectly placed for business, and his legacy suggests that William had a keen entrepreneurial spirit. His work as a chemist and druggist quickly placed him at the heart of his new community, and before too long he began quenching thirsts too; with a business selling soda water. William left his original premises next to the old Fire Station at the top end of the High Street for a new base. He didn't move far though; just to the other side of..

Read More
24th Apr 2020

‘The Works was a forward thinking place…...

Today, some of the old Wolverton Works site is derelict, its long structure snaking a track through the town, broken, vandalised and ghostlike. Other parts have made way for new housing developments. But without the Works, Wolverton as we know it wouldn’t even exist, writes Sammy Jones. When the Works was established in 1838, beautiful red brick Victorian houses built by the London North Western Railway Company that ran the Works, sprung up to house the working army in the new railway town of Wolverton. Families came from far and wide to take up positions at the important new engineering plant, in the era when rail was revolutionising the world. During World War One the hub was requisitioned for the war effort, and produced 24 ambulance trains (each boasting 16 coaches). Gun timbers, horse harnesses and various supplies were..

Read More
20th Nov 2019

The amazing story behind Amazing Grace

Olney is a particularly pretty market town seated north of Milton Keynes, with imposing Georgian buildings lining your route through its centre, hinting at its rich history.  Pancakes ensure that Olney’s name is familiar far and wide, writes Sammy Jones. Once a year, Olney finds itself the centre of attention when the annual pancake race is run in the town. The tradition can be traced way back to 1445! But the town doesn’t just boast a famous event; It was home to two remarkable men too – poet and letter writer William Cowper, and his friend, John Newton. Across three centuries, beginning in the early 1500s, more than 12 million Africans were captured and transported across the Atlantic to work as slaves in the Americas. By 1700 Britain was the largest slave trading nation, and enslaved Africans worked on plantations in the West Indies and America, growing goods including coffee..

Read More
12th Sep 2019

Family Heritage Open Day at Great Linford Manor Park

Join The Parks Trust, alongside St. Andrew’s Church, Friends of Great Linford Group and Milton Keynes Arts Centre, for a Family Heritage Open Day on Sunday 22nd September at Great Linford Manor Park, Milton Keynes. As part of the ongoing Heritage Lottery Funded project to ‘Reveal, Revive and Restore’ Great Linford Manor Park, the event will allow visitors to discover horrible heritage and fun facts about the wonders of Great Linford Manor Park and St. Andrew’s Church. A free event for all the family to get involved with from 12noon to 4pm. The event will consist of live music, a children’s horrible heritage trail, bell ringing, guided walks, family activities and a variety of garden games. Food can be purchased on the day from local vendors and St Andrew’s Church or why not bring along a picnic and enjoy the historic features of the park and the views of the..

Read More
08th Sep 2019

Electra Theatre, Newport Pagnell

Once alive with excited cinema audiences and the rustle of sweetie wrappers, the Electra Theatre in Newport Pagnell brought the local community together and holds many memories for those old enough to remember...  A trip to the cinema is still a treat today, but imagine the excitement of checking in a century ago – long before the invention of televisions, and mobile phones, and when the nearest thing you had to Instagram was a picture postcard and snail mail. In those days, a trip to see a film was to be savoured, and in Newport Pagnell, the Electra Theatre stood proud. It didn't just bring the community together though, it was definitely responsible for at least one wedding – that of Cyril and Alice Jones, who enjoyed their first date in front of the big screen in 1918. Cyril had..

Read More
08th Sep 2019

Get into gear for MK Museum’s Transport Weekend September 14 & 15

Milton Keynes Museum roars into action with the return of its annual Transport Weekend on September 14 & 15. The Wolverton-based history hub is expecting in the region of 100 cars, vans, motorbikes and military vehicles to park up for the popular bash. A Fowler steam engine will also be in situ at the big celebration of transport past and present, together with a scale model steam engine and other stationary engines. Many of the cars set to feature are real labours of love for their owners, who have spent significant amounts of time (and money!) making their motors look shiny and sensational. Clubs partaking this year include The Spartans Scooter Club MK, MK Classic Car Club, Kei Kars in the Park, Classic Cars & Carvery and the Fiat 500 Club. All the usual museum attractions will also be open, and if you need a bite to eat, pop to..

Read More
24th Aug 2019

‘Excalibur’ sword found at Willen Lake

Last week, staff working at Willen Lake in Milton Keynes made an extraordinary discovery – what they believe to be an ‘ancient’ sword. Cassius Whiley-Morton from Aqua Parcs felt a solid object hit his foot when clearing the park on Friday 23 August at approximately 8.20am. Cassius said: “I looked down and could see something reflecting the light from the surface so I reached down and felt something solid and heavy.” Cassius held onto the side of the inflatable park and with one motion, drew the object from the bed of the lake. To the shock of the staff, they saw it was an ‘ancient’ sword, almost perfectly preserved. He added “I couldn’t believe it; I’ve worked on the lake all summer and have never come across anything like this. It was clearly visible from the surface so the undercurrent must have dislodged it from somewhere beneath. My colleagues said..

Read More
04th Jul 2019

Jock Campbell

He was a founding father of Milton Keynes, and a true history maker, and now a new permanent exhibit at Milton Keynes Museum is ensuring that his incredible contributions and foresight are forever celebrated. Jock Campbell was the influential chair of the Milton Keynes Development Corporation. But that was only one part of an amazing life... John 'Jock' Middleton Campbell, Baron Campbell of Eskan was born in 1912. In the early stages of his career he took control of his family's sugar estates, in Guyana. He became chairman of the company, Booker Brothers, McConnell and Co. in 1952. His family's success had been built on the slave trade, but Jock was committed to making good his family's success. For him, profit alone should not be the guiding principle of society. He said: “I think people are much more important than shops and ships and sugar estates.” In the 1950s, that..

Read More
01st Jul 2019

Turn back the clock (and then rock around it) as Milton Keynes Museum invites you to its second...

It was the dawn of a new era - and Rock 'n' Roll was the call! The 1950s brought dances alive as the youth tapped into the new phenomenon, and they dressed to impress too - out went floral chiffon dresses and stoles and in came poodle skirts and conical bras. Bill Haley and the Comets taught the youth to Rock Around the Clock, a young singer called Elvis Presley began to cause a phenomenon, and the big screen was dominated by stars including James Dean and Marilyn Monroe. And Elizabeth II succeeded her father, George VI, and became our Queen. More change came with the 1960s. The first man landed on the moon, and music continued to dominate with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones at the fore. The 1960s spawned the 'flower children' and clothing was bright and bold - with mini skirts, hippy attire and paisley shirts..

Read More
10th Jun 2019

Eleanor’s Final Journey – The story of Eleanor of Castile’s ‘stay’ in...

Widely regarded as 'the jewel of Milton Keynes,' Stony Stratford is also steeped in history. There has been a settlement in the area since the Roman times, the origin of the term, 'a cock and bull story' is claimed by the town, and there are many more nuggets of historical interest to be explored. But we have to go back more than 700 years to learn the story behind a striking mural which has recently been added to the High Street... The painting of Eleanor of Castile is the work of town resident Luke McDonnell, and serves as a memorial to the Queen Consort whose body passed through Stony Stratford following her death in 1290. Accounts vary, but Eleanor of Castile was believed to have been just 13 years old when she was married to 15-year-old Edward I, in 1254. Eleanor appears to have been well educated, which was unusual..

Read More
24th May 2019

Enjoy an extravaganza of entertainment as Milton Keynes Museum celebrates the Victorian era June 22...

It was a time of innovation and discovery, and Milton Keynes Museum is inviting you to find out more with the return of its annual Victorian Weekend on June 22 & 23. Visitors can enjoy music hall sounds with 'Blast from the Past,' and will be able to explore all sorts of extraordinary items over in the fascinating Palace of Curiosities, which will be full of fun and fascination in equal measure. Popular historian Neil Storey returns, and this time he'll be talking about the most gruesome of murders that terrorised Victorian London, and continue to intrigue us today - those committed by the hand of Jack the Ripper... The Die Hard soldiers will be roaming on site, and Kate Vigurs and Daxi will be recalling the start of the Crimean War, and the Charge of the Light Brigade. HM Queen Victoria will be paying a visit to the museum..

Read More
05th May 2019

War and peace in Newport Pagnell’s famous green space

To the dog walkers who use the green expanse to exercise their pets, Bury Field is a tranquil, wide open space. But Bury Field has a rich history, and it has been at the heart of life in Newport Pagnell for a millennium. During that time, it has been utilised for mass burials, been used by courting couples and grazing livestock, commandeered for the war effort, and much, much more. Bury Field's name came from the word Burh, and it is believed that the space was given over to agriculture from the ninth century - traces of ridge and furrow are still visible today. English Civil War When the Parliamentarians (Roundheads) and Royalists (Cavaliers) declared war in 1642, the Royalists realised the strategic importance of the town, and on October 6 it was captured by The Royalists, led by Sir Lewis Dyves from Bromham Hall. Just 20 days later, Parliamentary..

Read More
29th Apr 2019

Turbulent times are ahead at Milton Keynes Museum and you are invited...

Annual History Festival - May 11 & 12, 2019 Milton Keynes Museum is preparing to be invaded this May, as the annual History Festival returns. The hugely popular event is a chance to rub shoulders with those who played key roles in the history of the area, and to see how they lived, worked, fought and played. Battle will commence on Saturday, May 11 – the start of two days of displays, and a whole load of family fun too! The hands-on hub will be spanning the centuries, presenting almost two thousand years of living history across the weekend. Make tracks to the Wolverton venue and you'll meet a Roman Civilian Trader selling his wares, be able to interact with the Vikings (if you are brave enough!) and see an Iron Age Blacksmith at work. Twelfth century historical re-enactment group Chanz Des Reis will be covering civilian, military and religious..

Read More
29th Apr 2019

Kids Sleepover at Stowe House

This year Stowe House is celebrating the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria's birthday, by opening up its grand state room for its first ever sleepover for families with children between the ages of 7-11. The event will include an evening of crafts activities and Victorian games, as well as, a torch-lit tour of the house led by the 2nd Duke (the infamous owner of Stowe House who plunged the family into great debt) and a visit from the Queen Victoria. The characters will be played by professional historical actors from the skilled History Needs You team. HistoryNeedsYou are a history and heritage consultancy working with museums, heritage organisations, schools, colleges and universities to make history and heritage accessible, fun, engaging and inclusive. They bring history and heritage to life in a unique and powerful way by combining broadcasting on radio and television with writing, film making, training, research, talks, living..

Read More