Historical Linslade

Richard Page was born in 4 Canal Terrace, Wing Road, Linslade in July 1945.  It was “ a bit more of a village in those days”.  And it was in Buckinghamshire.

Richard’s presentation showcased some pictorial memories from his seemingly vast collection of old photographs, embellished with his informal commentary on the people, businesses, and buildings of Linslade and its environs from the 19^th century through to the present day.

His talk was not merely nostalgic and historical.  It was also absolutely fascinating to see the ever-changing face of Linslade.

There was so much to enjoy in the various street scenes etc showing how Linslade used to look at various times and how it has since changed, but also how a few places are still more or less the same.  Richard’s pictures included:

• Old shops and business premises that have been and gone – including Stone’s (the butcher), E J Bosley (electrical engineers), C J Monson & Co Brewery (these premises in Wing Road were later home to the Faith Press, and currently to a printing company and a motorcycle shop), Morgan Cars (“Morgan coachwork built to last”), Paramount Cars, W King’s (coach factory), Foundry Equipment Ltd, Tyler’s Woodyard (where Energie Fitness is now) where Richard once worked, St Christopher’s Garage (where the Shell service station is now), and the Grand Picture Palace (by Vimy Road) which later became the Dunham & Haines car showroom (which has also long gone);
• Likewise, pubs and hotels that have been and gone – such as the Nag’s Head, the Bridge Hotel, the Bedford Arms – and some that have survived – including the Buckingham Arms, the Hare Inn (originally the Hare Ale House), and the White Horse;
• Grand houses in Church Street, Leighton Road, Wing Road (including The Gables where the great Linslade benefactor Henry Finch resided), along the canal (The Martins), and out at Southcott and Mentmore Towers;
• St Barnabus and St Mary’s churches and the Bethel Chapel built in New Road in 1843;
• Working and living on the Grand Union Canal – including pictures of working barges, 3 inch thick ice having to be broken to let the barges through in December 1933, and the Three Locks pub in the 1950s;
• The Railway Station (originally intended for Leighton Buzzard itself) and the railway tunnels under Linslade Wood (previously Jackdaw Hill) – the railway was originally “mostly used by posh folk” and between the wars brought many of them down from London to visit the Southcott Stud and/or to go hunting;
• what people wore and what they looked like; and
• much, much more.

Particular highlights that Richard covered along the way included:

• How the bridge over the canal was swept away in 1824 and not rebuilt for many years as the Councils of Linslade and Leighton Buzzard could not agree which of them should pay for the replacement;
• The Vickers Factory building Vimy bombers in World War One (the first non-stop flight across the Atlantic made by Alcock and Brown in 1919 was made in a Vickers Vimy plane built in Linslade);
• Bombs being dropped on Heath and Reach by a German Zeppelin during World War One;
• The unveiling (on 11 November 1920) of the Linslade War Memorial as a roundabout where Wing Road meets Old Road and Leighton Road. This was right opposite 4 Canal Terrace and Kenneth Rainer, Richard’s mother’s first husband who died early in World War Two, is one of the names inscribed there.  (The Memorial now stands in Mentmore Road Memorial Park);
• An R101 Airship over Soulbury Road in 1929;
• The tornado in May 1950 that ripped the roofs off many houses in Old Street and New Street;
• How Richard’s brother, while doing his National Service in Hong Kong, met and became friends with Matt Munroe (who had been evacuated to Linslade during World War Two). Matt subsequently visited the family in Linslade;
• Pictures of the Barron Knight’s on their first gig taken by Richard himself.

Richard’s old black and white photographs were wonderfully evocative of the time and place.  And they were further illuminated by his lively commentary, dispensing a wealth of local knowledge together with his personal reminiscences and anecdotes.

So this was a splendidly illustrated, fascinating, and most engaging presentation.  And it ignited many reminiscences among our longstanding residents of Linslade and Leighton Buzzard.

A most enjoyable way to spend an evening!