The Conversion of Grange Mill

Since the Secretary of State’s decision on Stotford Mill in 1987 there has been considerable progress in establishing a logical procedure for dealing with planning applications relating to mills. It contrasts with the sad case of Grange Mill, in Heath and Reach. The local planning authority took the view that if the mill was to … Continue reading »

Medieval Flitwick

The first authentic details of Flitwick are found in the documents of Dunstable Priory, which record that about 1150 A.D. the lord of Flitwick, Philip de Saundreville, gave to the Priory the mill at Flitwick and the churches he controlled at Husborne Crawley and Flitwick. He had already given the Priory some land at Ruxox … Continue reading »

Flitwick in the 17th Century

We seem to have very few records that tell of Flitwick during the Commonwealth period. Edward Blofield, Squire of Flitwick, was in 1652 fined at Bedford for “opprobious and scandalous words” he had spoken against the Government. Perhaps the Squire’s attitude may account for the purchase of two bells for the church, one dated 1653, … Continue reading »

Family Names in Flitwick

Many fresh names appear in the 19th century records, but several 17th and 18th century families can still be traced. The Cooks had lived at Wood Farm from the early 18th century, the Goodmans owned the Mill and the surrounding land as they do today, the Brinkler family at the Swan had become farmers and … Continue reading »