Clapham, Bedfordshire
Encyclopedia
Clapham is a village and civil parish in the Borough of Bedford
in Bedfordshire
, England
. It has a population of 3,643.
In the nearby village of Oakley
is Lincroft Middle School
for children aged 9–13.
It has three pubs, the Horse and Groom, the Fox and Hounds and the Star, as well as these there is also an Italian restaurant, Bellini's.
RAF Twinwood Farm
, a disused airfield on the western outskirts of the village, is where the famous bandleader Glenn Miller
took off on his last fateful flight, having performed for the American soldiers based at the airfield (51 Operational Training Unit ROYAL AIR FORCE was the main unit based at Twinwood Farm) and at Bedford Corn Exchange
. The Glenn Miller Museum is now open on site with many events taking place during the summer months.
Clapham Park, a large new country house
, was built by James Howard
, member of parliament
for Bedford
, in 1872.
There is also a derelict Italian POW camp, which is now owned by a farmer and has been the victim of graffiti
artists.
Bedford (borough)
Bedford is a unitary authority with the status of a borough in the ceremonial county of Bedfordshire, England. Its council is based at Bedford, which is also the county town of Bedfordshire. The borough contains a single urban area, the 69th largest in the United Kingdom that comprises Bedford and...
in Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is a ceremonial county of historic origin in England that forms part of the East of England region.It borders Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Northamptonshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the west and Hertfordshire to the south-east....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It has a population of 3,643.
Facilities
Clapham has numerous public houses and several small shops; including a post office, Chinese and Indian takeaways, fish and chips, a florist, a hairdresser and a small bank; also it has two churches. It has its own lower school for children aged 4–9, Ursula Taylor Lower School.In the nearby village of Oakley
Oakley, Bedfordshire
Oakley is a village and civil parish located in northern Bedfordshire, England, about four miles north west of the county town of Bedford and lies by the River Great Ouse...
is Lincroft Middle School
Lincroft Middle School
Lincroft Middle School is a middle school in the village of Oakley in Bedfordshire, England. It was opened in 1963. The school caters for children aged 9–13, in National Curriculum Years 5-8, corresponding to the later parts of Key Stage 2 and the earlier parts of Key Stage 3 .-Feeder lower...
for children aged 9–13.
It has three pubs, the Horse and Groom, the Fox and Hounds and the Star, as well as these there is also an Italian restaurant, Bellini's.
RAF Twinwood Farm
-Other RAF Squadrons:*No. 26 Squadron RAF*No. 268 Squadron RAF*No. 613 Squadron RAF*No. 169 Squadron RAF*No. 239 Squadron RAFIn March 1943 P51 Mustangs belonging to 164, 169, 239 and 208 Squadrons RAF engaged in Operation Spartan which occurred between 1 and 12 March 1943 was conducted across...
, a disused airfield on the western outskirts of the village, is where the famous bandleader Glenn Miller
Glenn Miller
Alton Glenn Miller was an American jazz musician , arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era. He was one of the best-selling recording artists from 1939 to 1943, leading one of the best known "Big Bands"...
took off on his last fateful flight, having performed for the American soldiers based at the airfield (51 Operational Training Unit ROYAL AIR FORCE was the main unit based at Twinwood Farm) and at Bedford Corn Exchange
Corn Exchange, Bedford
Bedford Corn Exchange is located on St Paul's Square in the Castle area of Bedford, Bedfordshire, England.-History of the Corn Exchange:The building was designed to be a concert venue and meeting space, as well as a place of business. The basement contained offices, cloakrooms, kitchen, hall...
. The Glenn Miller Museum is now open on site with many events taking place during the summer months.
Clapham Park, a large new country house
English country house
The English country house is a large house or mansion in the English countryside. Such houses were often owned by individuals who also owned a London house. This allowed to them to spend time in the country and in the city—hence, for these people, the term distinguished between town and country...
, was built by James Howard
James Howard (agriculturalist)
James Howard , was an English agriculturalist, Liberal politician, manufacturer, and Bedfordshire landowner.-Life:Howard was one of the sons of John Howard, of Cauldwell House, Bedford, and was educated at Bedford Modern School....
, member of parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Bedford
Bedford (UK Parliament constituency)
Bedford is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The seat was established in its current form in 1997, restoring a centuries old name. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first-past-the-post system of election...
, in 1872.
There is also a derelict Italian POW camp, which is now owned by a farmer and has been the victim of graffiti
Graffiti
Graffiti is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property....
artists.
Sport and recreation
Clapham has a King George V Field in memorial to King George VGeorge V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....