The Story of Heyford (Extra): Dear Diary – December 1963

M was 21 this year. He didn’t do much celebrating because he broke his leg playing football for Express Lifts and was in plaster for 13 weeks, not that he planned to do much anyway. He couldn’t ride his scooter so he had one or two mates with cars who ran him to his darts matches and down the bookies, but he is planning on learning to drive himself when he can. His lessons are booked with Dennis Slinn, a local at The Castle Inn where he plays darts, at 17/6 a go instead of the guinea he usually charges.

I went on holiday with M and his parents to Clacton in a caravan in July. His brother came too so it was a bit squashed. I’m doing well at Tech and passed my Shorthand & Typing exams again this year. I enjoy my one afternoon a week there, it takes me out of the office and I’ve made more friends. M is also at College to learn Engineering during his apprenticeship, until he’s 22 at least.

My uncle got married in September this year and I was one of two bridesmaids. M was an Usher and the wedding was at St. James Church. This means we have one less living in our house but he was always out ‘courting’ or with his mates, so it’s not much different. I miss him though. He’s 10 years older than me but more like a brother. He moved in with us when his parents (my grandparents) died. Not quite true as we moved in with him really as their house was bigger than ours.

We’ve had a telephone installed. It came to a head when dad was ill recently and mum had to go across the road to the public telephone to call the doctor. It’ll come in handy to call her brother in Leeds and if I miss the bus home I can let her know. Dad can give me a ticking off over the phone rather than face to face then.

Every Saturday night we go dancing at The Salon in Jimmy’s End. They have some big bands there and it’s great to dress up and dance. The only problem is that M often gets a nosebleed during the evening and I sit out like a lemon waiting for him to recover.

On Sundays we alternate. One week I go to M’s house for tea and we go to St. James church then on to the working men’s club until my bus comes. He comes to Heyford (the terminus) on the bus with me, then goes back on the same bus, sometimes after sharing a pint with the conductor and driver, although on Sundays the pub shuts at 10:30. He’s not the only one who does this either. The following week he comes to my home for tea and mum buys a tin of meat and a Battenburg cake, we go to the village church then cross the buttercup field to The Old Sun until he takes the last bus home. It works well.

Christmas will soon be here. My Christmas list so far is hankies for dad because he gets through loads, and face powder for mum. My cousin will be with us along with my aunt and uncle but I’m not expected to buy them anything. I think I’ll get M a pen as he’s always looking for something to write with and I could get his mum and dad some fancy biscuits. We’ll play games like snakes & ladders and cards in the front room where dad will light a coal fire. Trouble is you sit round it and your front is warm but your back is cold. The living room is always warm because of the rayburn but it’s traditional at Christmas to use the front room. Other times of the year it’s a
waste of space.

I may not see M for Christmas day or Boxing Day as the buses don’t run much over the Christmas period but he’ll keep.

Polly

First published in The Prattler Edition No. 445 – December 2021/January 2022

The Story of Heyford (Extra): Dear Diary – October 1962

I had a disappointment recently. I was due to meet my new date under the clock in the Derngate bus station and he didn’t turn up. His excuse was that he must have been hidden behind a “green ‘un”, the sports paper, and didn’t see me. I’ll just call him M for now in case he doesn’t last long. Anyway all is forgiven. He’s an apprentice at Express Lifts, at the moment working with Tom Lawrence, who gets him to choose his horses for the bookie’s runner at the factory. He’s been to Heyford for tea with Tom and his wife in Furnace Lane. I’ve now met his parents and his brother. His mum gave him a ticking off for bringing me in through the back door. I don’t know what she’s worried about, we all have a coal hole and an outside lavatory.

M took me on a train from Northampton Castle Station to Wolverton last Saturday to visit his auntie, uncle and cousins. It passed through several small stations like Roade and Castlethorpe. His auntie spent the afternoon serving her extended family while his uncle rolled his fags for the week, both so laid back. He’s got his eye on a Zundap scooter so it won’t be long before we’re spinning along country lanes.

Some of us girls went to see Breakfast at Tiffany’s at the pictures last weekend, with Audrey Hepburn – lovely. There was a ‘B’ movie, then advertisements, cartoons and Pathe News, with a break for ice-creams before the big movie so we were there for hours, by which time the air was a bit thick with smoke.

I’ve got a French pen-friend who I regularly write to and I’m learning to paint and draw which I love. I’ve started going to the YMCA dancing by candlelight on Thursday evenings. I meet my friends in the Wimpy Bar for a burger, then we go up Cheyne Walk for dancing. It’s only a short walk at the end of the evening to the Derngate Bus Station and, if he’s there, M catches the bus with me and gets off at Jimmies’ End where he lives. He’s teaching me to Jive.

This year we have had work trips to the seaside and NME (New Musical Express) concerts; after all there are several office girls and apprentice boys to fill the buses. I went on holiday with my friend Janet, to Poole in Dorset in July. We stayed in a boarding house for a week. M went to Blackpool in a caravan with 4 other mates and wrote to me twice.

Saturday evenings are mostly spent in town. Regular double-decker buses are full going in at teatime, returning at the end of the evening, packed to the gunnels. If one of our regulars is late for the bus, the driver hangs on at the request of the rest of us. One of our most popular drivers is Ron who lives in the village. He knows us all, teases us if we are late, but looks out for us on the journey. Of course there is always a conductor on the bus to ring the bell, keep order and take the fares. If the bus breaks down he can walk to the nearest phone box to ring for a replacement bus. The driver has a separate cab at the front, not accessible from the bus itself.

Aunt Beatrice came to tea last Sunday. Mum panicked, we cleaned thoroughly, we made salmon sandwiches & a cake and got out the best china. This auntie is well off, lives in London and wanted to bring mum & dad a present of a really heavy vase which now takes pride of place on the piano. Mum embarrassed me by telling auntie that I have an office job, a shorthand/typing course at the Technical college and I’m courting a lovely boy who is doing an engineering apprenticeship. I was glad to escape to church for the 6 o’clock service.

There are now new homes off Watery Lane and talks are being had about a new estate at the end of Close Road on the field behind Furnace Lane. The builders are Wilson.

There’s a Jumble Sale in the church rooms on Saturday. I shall go along because you can get some good bargains, a cup of tea and biscuit and I like reading so I’ll head for the book stall.

Polly

First published in The Prattler Edition No. 444 – October/November 2021

The Story of Heyford (Extra): Dear Diary – August 1961

The past year has been a real change for me. I left school in July last year and started work at The Express Lift Company the following week. I chose there mainly because it’s on our bus route. Some of my other girlfriends chose hairdressing, nursing and dressmaking. I catch the No. 305 bus at 8:20 am, outside the Foresters Arms, sit upstairs with my cousin Ken and enjoy the ride through Bugbrooke and Kislingbury. You can only smoke upstairs.

The bus arrives in the village with “Lower Heyford” on the front, then, after it’s turned round outside the shop, the conductor changes it to “Northampton”. As Heyford is the terminus and I’m usually early, I can sit and watch people coming round the green at a leisurely pace, to catch the bus. One day the conductor will ring the bell and the bus will go off without them. If Mr. Faulkner is the driver, he knows everybody because he lives here. He sometimes teases them by starting up the engine.

Dad bought me a season bus ticket so that I can use it at weekends as well, plus it’s cheaper that way. I am working in the Personnel department which means I get to meet so many people, it’s great. I’ve started a part-time course at the Technical college for Shorthand & Typing, one afternoon and one evening which the company are paying for.

Mum bought me some new clothes to start work. Up to then I’d lived in socks and flat shoes, so she got me stockings, a suspender belt and some shoes with little heels, with two new skirts, two new blouses and a Duster coat, so I’m all set now until I start earning enough to buy my own.

I was very nervous on my first day at work. I had to report to the Commissionaire at the front gate and someone came to fetch me. The place was huge and quite frightening but now that I’ve been there a few months, I’m more familiar with the offices and the factory, but I still worry I’ll lose my way, especially after I’ve been to the canteen.

There’s a new programme called Coronation Street on TV. In it is a pub called The Rovers Return which is run by Annie Walker, a little corner shop run by Florrie Lindley, and a Mission Hall run by Ena Sharples. There’s a family called Barlow and a lady called Elsie Tanner who has a son just out of prison. It all happens in this lively Manchester ‘soap’. I like the adverts between the shows as well, “The Esso Sign means Happy Motoring” and “Put a Tiger in Your Tank”.

I’ve had two boyfriends since I started work. The first had a motorbike which I thought was great but mum was concerned because we didn’t wear crash helmets, well nobody does, do they? He’s gone. The second boy took me to see The Cobblers play one Saturday afternoon, went through the turnstile and left me to pay for myself. He’s gone as well.

I wish I hadn’t started smoking but when you sit on a bus to town upstairs and everybody else is doing it, you feel like joining in. I don’t indulge at home or at work, only when I’m out although I might as well, as the pubs smell of smoke. Even mum and dad smoke which means that the ceiling turns yellow and has to be painted every year.

Dad had us save all the Chronicle & Echo’s for him to cover furniture when he painted the kitchen at Easter. I like this daily paper because it’s all local news and the Situations Vacant pages are always full, giving details of jobs including hours of work and pay. Trouble is it’s so big and hard to handle.

Polly

First published in The Prattler Edition No. 443 – August/September 2021

The Story of Heyford (Extra): Dear Diary – Spring 1960

Fashions are changing rapidly. The mini skirt is in, thanks to Mary Quant, pillbox hats like Jackie Kennedy wears, beehive hairstyles like The Ronettes and false eyelashes. Hippies are wearing tie-dyed shirts and bell-bottoms. All great stuff. I had a Record Player last Christmas so I bought my first record by Elvis Presley, “It’s Now or Never”. Brilliant. I also had a Premium Bond from my auntie. They cost £1 and your number goes into a draw each month. They are known as ERNIE Bonds (that’s Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment) and you can win prizes up to £1,000. Now, what would I do with all that money?

The first part of the M1 Motorway is now open and a new roundabout is in place at Upper Heyford. It isn’t lit and there is no speed limit at the moment but I bet that’ll change when more traffic gets on the roads.

Princess Margaret married Antony Armstrong-Jones in May in Westminster Abbey and it was shown on Television. Her brother-in-law, The Duke of Edinburgh, gave her away because her father, George VI, had died. The love of her life was Peter Townsend but he was divorced so thought not suitable.

The new Village Hall was officially opened in May as well, by Viscount Spencer. It’s been ongoing for months, built entirely by volunteers from the village, and social functions have been held regularly in the Foresters Arms to raise money to build it. What a great asset this will be for everyone. I look forward to enjoying many happy
events here in the future.

They’ve dismantled the old stone coach bridge crossing the river near the mill and replaced it with a concrete footbridge. It’s not as charming as the old one but we don’t have horse & carts any more so it makes sense I suppose. The old bridge was best for playing Pooh sticks though.

My cousin lives in Far Cotton and I go to stay with her sometimes. Sad to say they are closing one of our haunts there which is the Tivoli cinema, just down the road from her house. Still, the nearby Railway Club lives on. My uncle Jim is a train driver, like his dad before him, and used to live in the Railway Cottages up Furnace Lane. He said you get used to the noise of the trains.

I hear that we are to have seats around the edge of the green which will be handy for watching the football and cricket matches. There’s also to be a new Secondary school at Bugbrooke, that’ll be better for Heyford pupils but not me as this is my last year at school. I shall be 15 in July, the week before I leave.

The old gasworks along the Bugbrooke Road are being dismantled now natural gas is here. I hope they leave the poplar trees but get rid of the scrap by the old shed, it’s an eyesore.

A gun club is being formed and they are to use the shed at the gravel pits. I hope we can still go for walks there when they start as it’s beautiful in the Spring when the flowers are out.

The Methodist Church has closed and the building is to be used as a youth club. I wasn’t a member of this church but for a while some of us joined in a sing-song occasionally with Noel Stanton but I think he now just preaches in Bugbrooke.

When we went out to play on Saturday “old Peet” was on the prowl, that’s Mr. Peet, the local bobby. He lives in Bugbrooke but cycles to Heyford regularly. He keeps his eye on us but we know how to avoid him, so we went down the river to play on the island, out of his way. This island is only there when the water’s low and, if you dare, you can climb onto a pipe attached to the bridge and jump down, then you need to jump from the island onto the bank, great fun, just like The Famous Five. I love reading about The Famous Five, they have such fun.

My uncle and his family are visiting from Yorkshire at Easter and they have a car so we get to visit places like Banbury Cross, Leamington Spa and Everdon Stubbs. The family stay with my aunt and uncle up The Peak, but we have lots of visitors in our house over the time they are here because this was always the ‘family’ home.

I’m now looking for a job because I leave school in July when I shall be 15. The Careers Officer is coming to school to talk to each of us and give us some guidance on our future career. I think I’d like to learn shorthand and typing and I love English so maybe an office job. I’m ready for a new challenge.

Polly

First published in The Prattler Edition No. 442 – June/July 2021

The Story of Heyford (Extra): Football on the Village Green – Mick Parker

On April 30th 1988 the last competitive football match was played on the village Green. The opposition were fierce rivals Spratton, the result was a 1-1 draw. Mark Collins will go down in history as being the last Heyford player to score on the Green.

A historic day in the story of Heyford was recorded on video for posterity, with Ade Miller and John Gibbins braving the scaffolding structure to film the events of the afternoon. Ade was the camera man and John was our own John Motson commentating on the game. Well at least that was the plan but unfortunately he forgot to turn on the microphone.

After the game skipper Jeff Buck was presented with the Premier League trophy, as manager Chris Clarke’s side had achieved their goal of winning the league. The presentation took place outside the changing rooms which were situated in the village hall car park.

**The last competitive game on the Village Green 1988**

The portacabin changing rooms were soon to be uprooted and moved to the new playing fields, where although they have since been extended they still remain. The changing rooms had been purchased in 1975, after a tremendous amount of fund raising by a very strong committee, led by secretary Eric Miller, along with players and supporters. Fund raising such as the Tote which entailed a lot of traipsing the village on cold nights knocking on doors to sell numbers. There were also jumble sales, dances at the village hall, sponsored walks and weekly bingo hosted by Roy Pancoust.

Previously the football club had used the Baptist chapel, the youth club or on occasions the Foresters Arms cub room to change. The Foresters was very much the clubs headquarters in those days. My dad Alf Parker was landlord and football club chairman. Monthly Sunday morning committee meetings would conveniently finish at 12 o’clock opening time.

The hard work that had been put in off the field in the 70’s led the way to the club’s most successful spell. The knockout cup was won in 1974. The league was won in 1975. Then amazingly in 1976 the Blues won all 4 competitions that they had entered, the league, ko cup, Lower Junior cup and the Byfield and Bethel cup. Success brought great times and great support.

Village football was very competitive in those days. Most villages had a team, and there were regularly large crowds on the Green. Especially for the local derbies against the old enemy, Bugbrooke. Everyone that played on the Green often
reminisce about the atmosphere created.

Although it wasn’t the best surface to play on, there were many undulations, and a footpath ran across the pitch from the Pound towards the shop. A footpath which was once used on a Saturday afternoon by ladies on the way to do their shopping holding up play. The goal mouths were usually devoid of grass, due to kids playing in the goal after school all week.

The ball would often get stuck under passing cars, or vehicles parked near the shops. At times a goalkeeper would be seen racing down Church Street to retrieve a ball rolling down the hill. Taking a corner from the sloping village hall side which was very close to a tree was a skill not many mastered. One player who mastered the art was the late great Martin Carnague.

We are lucky to have such a tremendous playing field in Heyford, which has taken many people a lot of time and effort to set up and maintain, but there is nothing like playing on the Green.

The earliest records of HAFC playing on Green is 1908. So there was at least 80 years of competitive football played in the centre of the village creating many memories. I’m sure not all good but many were.

Mick Parker 2021

The Story of Heyford (Extra): Edmund Arnold

EdmundArnoldChest

Edmund Arnold was born of a poor family in Nether Heyford. By hard work and some good fortune he became a lawyer. He graduated from Merton College Oxford on 10th October 1661 via the Court of Arches.

He began to purchase land around Furtho and eventually acquired the Furtho estate.

In his will he left the bulk of his estate in trust to a Charity, called Arnold’s Charity, for the support and encouragement of Apprentices from several villages which had been part of his life. His descendants contested the will but it was upheld.

History Of Furtho:

Furtho is one of the ‘lost villages’ of Northamptonshire. Only the church and a 15th century dovecote are left of a village that was registered as Forho (signifying a ford near a projecting piece of land) in the Domesday Book in 1086. It is thought that the village ‘died’ when the main Northampton road (now the A508) that used to run directly through it, was diverted when the parish was enclosed in about 1600.

In 1086, Furtho was made up of three smallholdings and a population of 15 people. Only in the early 1200s did the de Fortho family become lords of the manor and stayed until 1640, rebuilding much of the church in 1620. When enclosures diverted the London to Northampton road away from Furtho, it became a deserted village with only a farm, a mediaeval dovecot, a few lumps in the land and this delightful church remaining. The chancel is 14th century but the nave and squat tower were reconstructed early in the 17th century. The font and its cover date from this time. St Bartholomew’s escaped later restoration but ceased to be a parish church in 1920. The church fell into disrepair over the years and it was not until 1991-92 that the Churches Conservation Trust carried out an extensive restoration and repair programme. The church is now used for services several times a year and is always open.

The Furtho dovecote can still be seen in the grounds. It has had quite a few alterations over the years and there is evidence of blocked up doorways, partial rebuilding and the putting in of a new floor.

Later, the manor was purchased by Edmund Arnold, an eminent lawyer. He directed that after his and his wife’s death the income from the manor of Furtho should be given to ‘pious and charitable uses’ with particular focus to be given to poor children apprenticeships in ‘honest trades’! The Edmund Arnold charity still exists today.

Furtho Dovecote

The Furtho Dovecote (sp773430) belonged to the manor buildings and was built around the 15th century , it was restored in 1917 and finally put into the care of the council in 1949. The Dovecote is circular in design and is built in limestone as is the church, and the roof is in red Tiles. There is a large door, however records show that there was a second doorway. The roof structure is a work of Art and has to be seen. There is some information inside the Dovecote and it said that in its day would have contained some 500 nesting birds.

Furtho Parish Church

The church of St Bartholomew was situated in the village of Furtho, now one of Northamptonshire’s deserted villages. Today only the church, built of local limestone, and the 15th-century dovecote remain. The original manor house stood roughly west of the church and north of the dovecote. The place name was spelt Forho in Domesday Book (1086), later Fordho and finally, by 1254, Fortho. It means a ford by a ridge of land. In the early 13th century the de Fortho family resided in the manor house.

Survivor of a lost Medieval village

When enclosures diverted the London to Northampton road away from Furtho, it became a deserted village with only a farm, a medieval dovecot, a few lumps in the land and this delightful 900-year-old church remaining. The chancel is fourteenth century but the nave and squat tower were reconstructed early in the seventeenth century. The font and its cover also date from this time.

St Bartholomew’s ceased to be a parish church in 1920. Inside it is tranquil and atmospheric.

Furtho Location:

Furtho is a deserted medieval village and former parish in South Northamptonshire, England. It is now part of Potterspury civil parish. Furtho is east of Potterspury, west of Cosgrove and about 2 miles (3 km) northwest of Stony Stratford. The nearest towns are Wolverton 3 miles (5 km) to the southeast and Towcester 5 miles (8 km) to the northwest.

Document Archives:

A large amount of Edmund Arnold’s papers and those accumulated after his death have been catalogued and summarised, by an archivist. They were original documents lodged in Northamptonshire Archives at the Records Office. The original transcriber has anglicised words and modernised punctuation.

The Will

Edmund Arnold of Doctors Commons, London 1676

This transcription is from – Northamptonshire Record Office Arnold Edmund Will FXIII 22

In the name of God Amen I Edmund Arnold of Doctors Comons London Esqr. being of the providence of my good God in reasonable health of body and of sound and perfect minde and memory praysed bee his holy name therefore taking into consideration the Frailty and uncertainty of this life (after Sixty Seaven yeares of age compleate and that I shall ere long finish my Cause therein willing to provide for the Disposall of my Estate whilst I am vigorous in minde and memory and in soe good health doe this First day of may 1675 make and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following that is to say First and before all things I commend and Committ my Soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave itt mee beseeching him of his infinite mercy to forgive mee my sins and to purge me from all unrighteousness in and by the merritts of the precious blood shed of my blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and Sanctification of the holy Spritt and of the infinite goodness to receive my body and Soule into everlasting life in the hour of death and in the day of Judgement good Lord delivers me My body I commend to decent and unpompous burial on the Southside of the upper part of the Chancell of Furthoe towards the East Wall with one Ensize grave Stone over me having this Inscription Hic jacet Edmundus Arnold Arimer quondam Dominus (sub Deo) hujus Manerii, qui obit there to Expect a ioyfull resurrection att the last day to eternall Bliss And touching the Worldly Estate which God of his bountifull goodness hath bestowed upon mee I give and dispose the same as followeth Imprimis to the poore of Nether Hayford in the County of Northampton where I was borne I give the summe of tenn pounds I say to the Generall poore of that Towne which is in Severall parishes To the poore of the parish of St. Giles Northampton I give five pounds To the poore of Stony Stratford ten pounds To the poore of the parish of St Bennett Paul’s Wharf London five pounds And to the poore of the parish of Furtho (which are few) Fifty shillings these severall Legacyes to bee payd within Six moneths after my decease And to bee distributed att Hayford by four or more of the principall Inhabitants And at St Giles Northampton Stratford St. Bennetts and Furtho by the Ministers and Churchwardens with Assistance of some of the principall Inhabitance Item I give to my sister Carr if shee survivies mee ten pounds …? And during her life after my death The same to bee payd to her use into the hands of my Cosin Edward Buncher the Elder or John Bouncher the younger and thenne to bee delivered to her hands To my faithfull Servant John Buncher the younger I give fifty pounds And my Sister Bunchers other Children tenn pounds a peece to my Sister Langtons Children that shall bee living at the tyme of my decease Ten pounds a peece to my Cozen Richard Carr I give Twenty pounds to being a towardly young man like as is brother Edward to whome I give Fifteene pounds To his untoward brother Robert I give Ten pounds and to his sister Ann and brother Edmund Ten pounds a peece Item I give to my brother Buncher Five pounds to my brother Langton five pounds To my brother Carrs daughter Anne I give five pounds insteed of giving it to him to bee spent I meane Five pounds besides her former Ten [in the margin this razure made by mee those Legacyes being after inserted E: Arnold] soe in all shee is to have Fifteene pounds To my God daughter Rawlins five pounds and to my Kinswoman and Goddaughter Mary the daughter of my sister Langton I give five pounds more then her afore sayd Ten to my kinsman Thomas Arnold of Hayford Forthy Shillings and to his brother Richard Five pounds and to Edmond Langton Ten pounds more then his Former Ten given him as one of my Sister Langtons Children those respective Legarcies to bee payable within Twelve months after my decease and to my Godson James Mervin I give five Markes to bee payd within the same space For my wife I have already well provided by setting the Mannor of Furthoe (Savinge the Rectory and wood) upon her dureing her life with the Rents and profits thereof And have moreover given her Six hundred pounds in money And I doe more over hereby give unto her all my plate and household stuffe Item I give and bequeath unto my Sister May five pounds and to my Neece her daughter the like summe of Five pounds To my Neece Anne Buncher wife of Cozen Edward Buncher Five pounds And to her husbands sonne and Two Daughters Forty shillings a peece To the Hospital of Bridewell I give Ten pounds xxxxxxx [in the margin] Stot 3:l to my Cozen Steere E Arnold – and to his wife Forty shillings To my Cozen William Birtwishell als Burd in Covent Garden Three pounds and to his wife Thirty Shillings and to theire youngest sonne Twenty shillings To my Cozen Dyer wife of my foresaid Kinsman William Dyer Esqr Forty shillings to buy her a Ring to my Cozen Mervin and his wife Forty shillings a peece to buy them Rings and to theire sonne James my Godson Five pounds To Sir Georg Courthope Knt and my Lady his wife Forty shillings a peece to buy them Rings And to my Cozen Mrs Mary Courthope theire Daughter Three pounds to buy her a Ring And to my Neece Mrs Elizabeth May widdow Forty shillings to buy her a Ring Those respective Legacyes to bee payd within a yeare and a halfe next after my decease beinge Determined by the assistance of God to settle for the future my Mannor of Furtho withall the Lands woods members and appurtenances thereof after the decease of mee and my wife to Charitable uses in which Case Ju..st bee beholding to friends to bee my Feeffees and having had good Experience of ye Justues and prudence of the Right Worshipful Lyonell Jenkins Knt Doctor of Lawes Judge of the Admiralty and Prerogative Courts in such Case and of his and titular Kyndnes to my selfe I beg of him to bee one of them And I doe hereby give bequeath and devise my sayd Mannor of Furtho in the County of Northampton And all Lands grounds Closes woods members and appurtenances thereunto belonging and all other my Lands Tenements and Hereditament whatsoever in Furtho saving the advowsion of the Rectory there) And else where in the sayd County of Northampton or Bucks unto the sayd Sir Lyonell Jenkins my Kinsman William Dyer of Tottenahm hig & cross Esqr Mathew Johnson of the Middle Temple London Esqr Thomas Bedford of Doctors Comons gent and, [left blank] and to theire heirs and assignes for Ever upon trust and to the Intent that they or theire heires or the Survivor or Survivors of them or the heires of such Survivor after the death of me and of my wife shall by with and out of the Rents Revenues and profitts of the premisses pay and deliver yearly and every yeare for Ever to the uses hereafter following that is to say Ten pounds per Annum for and towards puttinge out poore Children Apprentice to some honest trade out of and from the Towne of nether Heiford aforesaid I meane Children of poore persons there and towards settinge them upp as they come out of theire tyme and five pounds per child towards releife of the poore people of the sayd Towne of Neither Haiford Twenty pounds per Annum for and towards puttinge out poore Children Apprentice out and from the Towne of Stony Stratford in the County of Bucks and towards settinge them upp as they come out of theire tymes And five pounds per Annum for and towards the releife of the poore of the sayd Towne of Stony Stratford Ten pounds per Annum for and towards puttinge out poore Children Apprentice out of and from the Parish of St. Gyles Northampton where I began my Clarkeshipp and towards settinge them upp when they come out of theire tymes and five pounds And towards the releife of the poore of that parish of St Gyles Five pounds per annum towards puttinge out a poore Child or Children apprentice out and from upper Hayford in the Sayd County of Northampton and towards settinge them upp Five Pounds per Annum towards puttinge a poore Child or Children Apprentice out and from Stowe vizt greate Stowe or Little Stowe in the County of Northampton and towards settinge them upp and Five pounds per Annum for and towards puttinge a poore Child or Children apprentice out and from the Towne of Weedonbect in the sayd County of Northampton where I went to schoole Item Twenty pounds per Annum for and towards Mayntenance of poore schoollers in Merton Colledge Executor to which I am a tenant for some ground in London to be distributed at the discretion of ye Warden Item further to yssue out of ye sayd Rents revenues and profitts I give and bequeath Twenty pounds per Annum for ever after ye deceases of me and my wife for and towards ye support and Mayntenance of an orthodox Minister who shall bee Licenced by and answereable to his ordinary in point of Conformity to reale Divine service at Least on Sundays forenoone and afternoon and perfume the other Divine offices in one of the Churches or Chappells in the Sayd Towne of Stony Stratford the sayd Minister to bee from tyme to tyme Ellected by Twelve of the Substantiallest Inhabitants housekeepers there with the assistance and advise of the Rectors or Ministers of Furtho Cosgrave Passenham and Calverton and more to have voice in the sayd Ellection but such as are Conformable to the orders of the Church and frequenters of the same and I will that such poore as shall participate of my foresaid bequest bee alsoe Conformable and frequenters of theire Church unlesse they bee Impotent and unable soe to doe And I doe wish that the parents of the poore Children aforesayd bee alsoe orderly and Conformorable Item to yssue more over out of the sayd rents and profits of Furthoe I give Ten pounds per Annum for ever to bee paid after the death of me and of my wife to the vicar or Curat of Pottersperry in the sayd County towards the increase of his poore stipend or meanes hopeinge that the Impropriator there will take into Consideration how farr hee is Concerned with the Curse of the Soules there and Augment that pittifull Stipend such Curat or viccar to bee orthodox and Conformable and of good life and Co..fersation Item I will that the Charges of my trustees from tyme to tyme in theire Actinge aboute this trust and of such as shall be imployed by them bee defrayed from tyme to tyme out of the premises and I doe recommend my Kinsman and faithfull Servant John Buncher unto my sayd trustees to bee Imployed by them in oversightinge the Lands grounds and apprutenances and gathering the Rents And I doe will and desire of my wife that in Case of her Over Liveing mee shee permitt and suffer the sayd John Buncher the younger to Live in and hold the house at Furthoe with the Dove house and out houseinge duringe his life as alsoe the house ground and house yard Meadow which hee now holdeth at Twenty pounds per Annum rent in which Consideration I give to her for her life her dwellinge in my house in Knight Rider streete London wherein I now dwell and the rent or benefit of the twoe houses thereunto adjoining she paying the Church and Colledge Rents from tyme to tyme vizt Forty Five shillings per Annum to Paules and Ten pounds Tenn shillings per Annum rent to Merton Colledge besides acquittance mony but if shee shall Exacte more and not suffer him to hold the sayd housing and grounds at that rate for his life then I give the benefit of my sayd houses and Leases to him to be by him entered upon and enjoyed and disposed of soe Long as she shall interrupt him in ye sayd possession at the aforesaid Rent hee defraying the rents and repaires soe Long as hee holdeth them and my wife besides the Rents to defray ye Repaires so Long as she holdeth them more over the sayd John Buncher after my wifes decease to have Ten pounds per Annum out of the Rents and profits of Furthoe for such his assistance of my Trustees in the Execution of ye foresaid trust and touching my sayd houses and grounds in Knightrider streete after the death of my wife I give the same and the Leases and profitts thereof to the parish of St Bennetts Paules wharf London to the end that the Comon Counsemen Church Wardens and overseers of the poore with Six or Eight of other the more substantiall parishioners doe yearly out of the profitts thereof distribute Ten pounds per Annum to and amongst the poore of that parish and Five pounds per Annum to the poore of St Mary Magdalens old Fish streete and with the remayneing profitts yearly doe put out soe many of poore Children of ye sayd parish of St Bennett apprentice and towards settinge them up as they come out of theire tymes saveinge and reserveing and I will that Five pounds per Annum for ever of the sayd profitts of the sayd houses and ground goe and bee payd to the Hospital of Bridewell to bee Imployed to the use of the poore boyes or other Children there at the discretion of ye Govenour and assistants and I will that the Comon Councell men Church wardens and overseers of the poore of St Bennett doe take Care and see that when the sayd houses and ground shall come to theire dispose as aforesaid the rent bee duly payd and due and fittinge repair (that is sufficient repairs bee made In my foresaid bequests amongst friends I have omitted that good Lady Elizabeth Bateman to whom I give five pounds to buy her a Ring Further to my wife I give my Coach and horses and harness All the rest and residue of my monyes and personall estate after my debts payd and funerals discharged I give and bequeath to and amonest my Kindred according to theire most need to bee distributed amongst them by my Executor or Executors with the assistance of my Cozen Edward Byncher John Steere and of the sayd John Buncher the younger saving such Legacyes as I shall by this will or by any Coddicell or Coddicells further dispose of Item I give will and devise the perpetuall advowson or patronage of the Rectory of Furthoe aforesayd unto ye principall Fellows and Schollers of Jesus Colledge in Oxford for Ever to be enjoyed and disposed of after the death of me and of the Rector whom I am now abonde to percent by ye sayd principall Fellows and Schoollers for the tyme beinge for Ever of this my Last will and Testament I Constitute and appoint my friend and Quondam Clerke Mr Thomas Bedford Executor assuring myself hee will bee faithfull and diligent in ye performance thereof and I give unto him for his paynes therein to bee taken Twenty Pounds over and besides ye afore mentioned Twenty pounds as a trustee and I doe request yr sayd Sir Lyonel Jenkins to be overseers of ye Execution of this my will as alsoe the sayd Mathew Johnson Esqr and my Cozen Dyer recomendinge with all the Service of the Sayd John Buncher the younger to my Executor praying my wife not to take it in Evill parte that I doe not name her Executrix that office beinge for burthensome and troublesome to her And I give unto her one hundred pounds more then as aforesaid praised bee my good God that hathgiven me tyme and a heart to sett my house in order and to make this my will that when my last houre Cometh I may have nothinge to doe but to dye and soe Good Lord have mercy upon my poore Soule

In wittnesse whereof I have to this my will Contayned in Two sheets of Royal paper sett my seale at the Topp having a third sheete which yet is blancke annexed and my hand and seale to this Second sheete this Sixth day of May in the yeare of our Lord one thousand six hundred seaventy five Edm: Arnold, Sealed published and declared by ye sayd Edmund Arnold as and for his last will and Testament in the presence of Thomas Sheppard Tho: Brodericke Ford Bye Tho: Champante

The three witness were each asked the same questions as below. The will also being written out three times.

Tho: Champante of Doctors Comon London gent aged Five and twenty years and upwards beinge produced as a witness on the parte of ye Comptts in this Cause was on the Six and Twenty day of January in the yeare of our Lord one thousand Six hundred Seaventy Seaven shewed in person to Mr Parker whose is the Clerke that deales for the Debts in this Cause by Mr Cottle one of ye sworne Clerks in my office whoe then alsoe left a note of the names by the and place of aboad of ye sayd Depont at the seate aforesaid and then afterwards on the same day and yeare the sayd Depont beinge sworne and Examined deposed and saith

(1) To the first Interr That he doth know all the partyes in the tytle of the Interr named for Couplts in this suite save only William Dyer but the Defendt Thomas Arnold this Depont saith that hee this Depont did know Edmund Arnold Esqr late of Doctors Comons aforesaid deceased when hee was Livinge to the (2) Interr this Dapont saith that hee this Depont hath beene aquitted with the Character and hand writing of the Sayd Edmund Arnold and this Depont doth verily believe that the will now produced and shewed unto him at the tyme of his Examination Conteyned in two sheets of Large paper with a wast sheete thereunto annexed and filed together on the Topp thereof with a Blacke Ribbone and seale thereon bearing date at the beginning the first day of May one thousand Seaventy five and at the End thereof the Sixth day of May aforesaid is of ye proper hand writing of the sayd Edmund Arnold and doth know that the name Edm: Arnold set or subscribed to the second sheete of the sayd produced will is of the proper hand writing of the sayd Edmund Arnold this Depont being present at and a wittnesse to the Subsiri beinge thereof (3) To the Third Interr this Depont sayth That this Depont was present and did see the sayd Edmund Arnold signe will or writing before mentioned for and as his last will and Testament and hee saith that there was alsoe present and witnesses to the sealing and publishing of ye sayd will Thomas Sheppard Thomas Brodericke and Ferdinando Bye whose names are Subscribed as witnesses to the Sealinge and publishing of the sayd will And hee saith that the sayd Edmund Arnold at the tyme of such his publishing and declareing his sayd Last will and Testament was of Reasonable health of body soe farr as this Depont could perceive and believe and of sound and perfect Mynde memory and understanding

Interrogtovirs to bee Adu..d to witnesses to be preduced and Exd for and on behalf of Sir Leonell Jenkins Knt Judge of Admiralty and Prerogative Courts Wm Dyer and Mathew Johnson Esqrs and Thomas Bedford gent Complts agt Thomas Arnold gent Defendants

Impropriator: – a person to whom a benefice is granted as their property.

Quondom :- that once was; former.

Knightrider Street is a street in the City of London, located a short distance to the south of St Paul’s Cathedral. It was originally the site of the German Church built in 1666–5 and demolished in 1867 to make way for Queen Victoria Street and the District Line of the London Underground; the Doctors’ Commons, also demolished in 1867 for the same reason. Much of the street was demolished when Queen Victoria Street was built in the 1860s. Until 1872, it consisted of three distinct streets: Old Fish Street in the eastern portion, Little Knightrider Street in the middle portion and Great Knightrider Street in the western portion. The Centre Page pub on the street dates back to the 1660s, when it was known as the Horn

The Story of Heyford (Extra): The Ox Hovel

The Ox Hovel

The ox-hovel was first mentioned in the sale of the farm in 1758. Several local estates were being sold by auction after the death of William, Duke of Powis. The ox-hovel seems to have been built with stone from an earlier demolished manor house. It includes several interesting features such as rounded corners and substantial stonework suggesting this was an important building on the farm.

The auction took place on Monday 13th November, 1758 and the two following days at Covent Garden. The ox-hovel and the surrounding fields were part of lot seven, up for sale for £2200 and they were brought by John Devall for £2440.

The ox-hovel was used for cattle until the mid 1970s when the farm gave up its dairy herd. Over the years the thatched roof was replaced with a corrugated iron roof. At that time this was seen as a great improvement. Since the 1970s the ox-hovel was left derelict and was subjected to various forms of anti-social behaviour and was even set on fire. Restoration work was performed.

This is a rare and interesting building the like of which is not know anywhere else in Northamptonshire and may be one of the few examples of early cattle housing buildings of this type left in the whole country.

Historic England listing: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1471129

Jez Wilson

The Story of Heyford (Extra): The Pantomime

Nether Heyford’s Tradition of Pantomime – November 1995

As we approach pantomime season it is worth reminding ourselves that there has been a pantomime in Nether Heyford almost every year since 1969.

The article below written by Joan Juland (November 1995) gives us an insight into the enjoyment given by the Monday Club pantomime to both the audience and performers.

This year, as usual, the Heyford Players continue the tradition with ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” – Performances will be: 7.30 pm on Friday 26th January, and at 2.30 pm and 7.30 pm on Saturday 27th.

The Monday Club pantomimes began in a small way, but grew and grew, and still continue now under the Heyford Players. They started as an alternative to a Christmas party, and were put on in December” mainly because we wanted the worry of it out of the way before settling down to arranging the family Christmas, later they were presented in January so that the main rehearsals were done in the quiet time after New Year. The list to date reads thus:

1969 Red Riding Hood
1970 Goldilocks and the Three Bears
1971 Jack and the Beanstalk
1972 Cinderella
1973 Sleeping Beauty
1974 Dick Whittington
1975 Hey Diddle Diddle
1976 Aladdin
1978 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
1980 Beauty and the Beast
1981 Mother Goose in Space
1982 Alice in the Underworld
1983 Robinson Crusoe
1984 Snow White
1985 Old King Cole
1986 Jack The Giant Killer
1987 Cinderella
1988 Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood
1989 Aladdin
1990 Peter Pan and the Magic Snowman

At this point the Monday Club decided to finish doing Pantomimes mainly because our membership numbers had fallen so much that we had many more ‘co-opted‘ members purely to take part in the Pantomime than we had members.

The Heyford Players were then formed and they have continued the tradition ever since with the following:

1991 Dick Whittington
1992 The Adventures of Alice
1993 Sleeping Beauty and the Beast
1994 Ali Babe and the Forty Thieves
1995 Mother Goose

Many names that appear in the programmes for the early shows have sadly passed on, such as Reg Collins, who always enjoyed having a laugh and causing a laugh even if it wasn’t in the script. Molly Dawson who also helped with costumes in the early days, and Mike Wallis who was one of our ‘Ugly Sisters’. Many people who have since moved away, some as far as the USA namely Anne & John Martin who both took part in our events. Bev Sewell, Pam & Glyn Bowen, Suzanne Brett, Gwenda Benstead, Angela Dixon, Sheena Harland and Jeanette Purcell are names that spring to mind but I know there were many others that you will remember, not least of all Tim Short who played a memorable Dame on many occasions and I understand still does so!

We had some ‘accidents’ during our performances that the audiences did not always know about, such as the camp bed that collapsed in Goldilocks when Dave Norrie sat on it and the Aspidestra that was dropped from a great height during a scene change and had to be hurriedly swept up, that was in our first Cinderella .

The lines of a song that Gordon Hayes had difficulty remembering so he wrote them on the back of the beam, and then couldn’t read them because of the lighting, but his wife helped him out from the audience, Kathleen had heard them so often at home she was word perfect .

Do you remember our Growing Beanstalk in Jack and the Beanstalk, and the wonderful wigs in Cinderella as well as the ballgowns. The water fountain in Dick Whittington, which Dick didn’t expect to work, but it had been rigged.

We also had our chorous girls a group of girls mostly the daughters of the cast who sang and danced as fairies or soldiers etc.

We have also had a variety of changing arrangements, for the early performances we had the green curtains pulled round the kitchen corner and had to do everything in there — boys & girls together all very friendly The cast would run down the outside of the hall round the old boiler house that used to jut out, right round to the front of the building and in through the front emergency exit which was curtained off – you can imagine how cold it was on some December nights! We also had to be very quiet, especially on Saturday afternoons when all the children were there and were very inquisitive!

We then had the comfort of the football portacabin, which also meant running through all weathers into the emergency exit. That too was all very well when they were playing away, occasionally they were at home and then we used the Baptist schoolroom — an even longer run through rain and snow!

As many of you will know we were always well supplied in the changing rooms with ‘Dutch Courage’; Sometimes it was tea or coffee, but mostly it was a little stronger, it was the only way we could get some of our cast on stage!!

We tried not to leave out the most important member of the whole show that of the pianist, who was for many years Mrs Marjorie Rogers, The first couple of shows I believe were done by Mrs Betty Sillence, and latterly by David Farmer.

A few weeks after the show we always had an excuse for a party to hold an inquest on the performance and to vow that we wouldn’t do it next year, but we nearly always did and thoroughly enjoyed it for my part for fifteen years.

I was always greatly indebted to my typist who would read my long hand scribbled scripts and make sense of them, often as many as 22 pages, also of course the scenery painters and constructors, props and sound effects which always turned up in time for the performance even if they weren’t thought of until dress rehearsal!

Of course one of the highlights of the day for the children in the early years was the arrival of Father Christmas and the gifts that he brought them.

Joan Juland

Published in The Prattler – November 1995

Beauty and the Beast 1980 – Jeanette Purcell, Pauline Thackray, Chris Metcalfe, Marion Williamson

Nether Heyford’s Tradition of Pantomime – Continued…..December 2020

The Pantomimes continued…….

1996 Snow White
1997 Cinderella
1998 Aladdin
1999 Babes in the Wood
2000 The Emperors New Clothes
2001 Jack and the Beanstalk
2002 Dick Whittington
2003 Peter Pan
2004 Cinderella
2005 Snow White in the Palace

Thanks to Sheryl Scarrott and Pauline Thackray – December 2020

The Story of Heyford (Extra): Americans put Northants village on the tourist map

NetherHeyfordSallyFoulkesThePrattlerDecember2020

Who is this and What was it all About??
Sally Smith MBE (formerly Sally Foulkes)
Students from the USA visit Nether Heyford May 1979

Recently there was a photo posted on the Heyford Facebook page, with a question “Who is this?” Several people had answered before I saw it and there is a story behind the photo.

The picture was of me taken by the Chronicle and Echo, then a much read daily local paper. There was an article on the front page in the edition printed on Tuesday May 15th 1979, 42 years ago. Margaret Thatcher had just become Prime Minister, the shop that is now Restore was the Post Office run by Mrs Blaney and the Eales family was running the “VG” store just visible in the picture, which was much smaller and their living room has now become part of the shop. There was a bus shelter since removed because of vandalism. It was a very hot early summer, hence the sun dress! Unfortunately my copy of the paper despite being in a plastic box has been attacked by a mouse, but gives the details of why I was looking quizzical.

”I was then Parish Clerk, and a letter arrived at the Post Office addressed to the “City of Nether Heyford Tourist Information Office.” Mrs Blaney gave it to me. It was a request for details of hotels or other accommodation in Nether Heyford from a Professor at Concordia College Minnesota USA. I wrote back to say we were a very small village without any hotels. They wrote back saying they really wanted to stay in Nether Heyford and after discussion with the Parish Council and other people in the village it was decided we could offer ‘B and B’ in local homes.

The students from Concordia were going to be visiting the UK and Europe on a cycling tour using backways and byeways. Their tour would start from London and take them via Bath and Stratford upon Avon en route to Cambridge, Denmark and Paris. We told them about Sulgrave Manor which would be on their route from Banbury to here so that was added to their itinerary and they arrived here in mid May, assembling on the village green to meet their hosts. We organised a tour of the Church with the Rector Alan Horsley, before everyone went off for a wash and change and evening meal with their host families. Later we all met in the games room at the Foresters Arms where local historian Ron Greenall of Leicester University gave them a lecture about Heyford and Northamptonshire, with slides, followed by games of skittles and darts, shove ha’penny and plenty of local beer. After a good “Full English” the next day the group set off for Cambridge and the rest of their European Tour. Concordia students came back to Nether Heyford several more times as they had enjoyed their visit so much.

And why did they want to come here… our village is half way between Stratford upon Avon and Cambridge, it was as simple as that!

Sally Smith MBE (formerly Sally Foulkes)

Letter published in The Prattler – December edition 2020

The Story of Heyford (Extra): Dear Diary – December 1959

December 1959

Dear Diary,

This year has been special to me because I went on a school trip to Germany for 10 days. I didn’t think I’d be able to go as it cost £20 but mum, bless her, got a job in the kitchens on the M1 building site where the offices are, so that she could pay £1 a week. I saved the £6 pocket money we were allowed to take by running errands for Mrs. Davis at The Olde Sun over to Sid Capel’s butchers shop. There were 12 Marks to the Pound so we had to work out roughly how much things cost. We had to take extra clothes including spare shoes, 2 handkerchiefs and a full change of underwear. I bought a 12 film for my Brownie camera. We stayed in Boppard on The Rhine, visiting several interesting places including Cologne Cathedral where I have a photo of me and Jane at the top with a view of The Rhine. I’ll never forget this wonderful experience.

Christmas is nearly here and the girls in my class each made a Christmas cake at school, a picture of which was in the Chronicle & Echo. This year I have some money to buy my own presents so I’m meeting my friend Janet in town on Saturday to shop. We’ll start at Woolworths I think. Mum and Dad are planning an evening at the pub because they are open until 11 o’clock, half hour more than other nights so I shall write out my Christmas cards and wrap my presents when I get home. I hope we’ve got plenty of brown paper and string.

On Sunday we are having a Christmas concert in church and the choir have been rehearsing. It’s mostly Christmas carols, just one short anthem, and everybody joins in. I’m looking forward to this. The crib is in place where everybody can see it and the ladies will fill huge pots with Christmas roses and holly. Mum and Dad are even coming for a change.

I warned the chickens that they don’t have long left as dad is hoping to pluck and draw one for Christmas lunch. I dare say I shall help him. He’ll wring its neck, which I don’t watch, then he gets me to hold it while he pulls out its innards (they don’t half stink), then there’ll be feathers everywhere when he plucks it. He’ll pick the Brussels ‘yuk’, carrots and spuds from the garden and the Christmas pudding is made – we all had a stir for luck. Hope I get the silver thrupenny bit again this year, it’s usually in my piece, I must just be lucky. If my cousin comes I bet he’ll get one as well, though he’s only 4 so he could swallow it.

We have a huge table in our living room so we can seat us all round it for dinner. We have some home-made Crackers to pull, a tin of salmon for tea plus the Christmas cake I made, and plenty of coal in the shed for the fires, one in the living room and one in the front room, which is a rarity. After dinner I bet we have a sing song. Mum will play the piano and we join in the songs we all know. Her latest favourites are Three Coins in a Fountain by Frank Sinatra and Oh My Pappa by Eddie Fisher, then she’ll revert back to the good old War songs that the oldies know, and Christmas Carols of course. I wish she’d learn to play a bit of Elvis Presley.

After this the grown-ups will fall asleep, especially if they’ve had a beer or a glass of sherry and I might help my cousin do a bit of colouring because he will no doubt get a new colouring book and pencils for Christmas, that’s to keep him quiet for a while I expect. I might read my School Friend with Dilly Dream which my auntie usually buys me and my cousin will probably get a book as well. Neither of us know what else we’ll get because we don’t get to choose, we get whatever our parents can afford, but we drop hints. All we need now is a bit of snow.

Polly

Letter published in The Prattler – December edition 2020

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