Buildings
This page is under research and construction
Religion
St Mary's Church
Articles relating to the Parish Church can be found here. The building is well documented in the Book "Woodford juxta Thrapston" and also in a brief guide available from the Church.
Articles include
"Message from the Past" - Time Capsule letter discovered 1995
"Bell Refurbishment 1912/13" - Story behind the picture
The Old Rectory
The former rectory in Church Street was built in approximately 1820. Remnants of the former Manor House on the Warren Hill at the east end of Church Street are thought to be incorporated into the building. The porch on the southwest frontage being a former side porch of that once prominent property. (A larger version of the porch can be found on the Parish Church of Melchbourne, Bedfordshire) The first Rector to live in the house was Rev Battley, who was succeeded by Rev Smyth in 1856, who was responsible for the major restoration of the Church. When Rev Smyth resigned the living at Woodford.....more
The Baptist Chapel
To follow
The Methodist Chapel
To follow
Public Houses
The Masons Arms
This was one of seven Public Houses in woodford in the mid 1800s and was the first to close. This listed building currently has an ashlar chimney on each gable, but until the 1950s was approximately three metres longer – to the south – where a further chimney was located on the ridge. Until this time the property had a thatched roof.
To the north end is an arch through to ... continued
The Dukes Arms
The Duke’s Arms Public House is certainly the longest licensed premise in Woodford and most probably the oldest. Woodford juxta Thrapston book suggests it could have originally been called “The Queen’s Head” in its early days. The property was classed as an “Inn” which by definition would have offered food, alcohol and stabling. The stables were on the right hand side of the present car park entrance and can be seen on the photograph of the War Memorial unveiling continued.
The Prince of Wales
To follow
The White Horse
The former White Horse Inn between Bakers Lane and Club Lane is a substantial building with a series of barns (now converted to living accomodation) on the Baker's Lane boundary. The lintel of the forrmer doors are visible in the gable end and window openings onto Baker's Lane were clearly evident until the building was recently re-pointed. The main part of the property was rebuilt in the early 1870s and the event is described in the Northampton Mercury of 29 November 1873 - "The White Horse pubic house having been rebuilt, Mr Thomas Talbut the landlord gave the workmen a dinner on Friday 21st November. Mr Beeby the worthy host of the house, who is in his 75th year was at the head of the table. After dinner the health of Mr Talbut was drunk with cheers as well as that of the host. In the evening the ringers rang some peals with the handbells and singing helped the company pass a merry evening."
A Woodford diarist records that on 10th July 1940 the chimney and roof were damaged by a lightning strike
The (Steam) Engine
The Engine pub in the High Street was first licensed on 10 July 1867, and the licensee was Mr Zachariah Gunn (b Denford). Mr Gunn remained landlord of the premises until July 1915 when Mr Lewis Coe took over. The pub was primarily an ironworkers pub and was frequented by many of the quarry and furnace men who lived in that part of the village. continued
The Coach and Horses
To follow
The Bakers Arms
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Education and Entertainment
Primary School
The present village school opened on 3 September 1974 on the former village recreation ground which had been donated to the Parish Council by Mr Plevins of Woodford House. The land was purchased by the County Council under a compulsory purchase order in the late 1960s. The school was designed by Mr Terry Franklin and constructed by Marriotts of Rushden in 1973 / 1974. Following a number of internal changes the school was extended in 2007, the architect once again being Mr Franklin. Much of the cost of the was met by a village benefactor, the late Mr Fritz Munkelt in memory of his late wife, Amelia Munkelt nee Wilkinson. More infromation regarding the history of education in Woodford can be found here.
Temperance Hall
To follow
Church Hall
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Reading Room
A small room through the arch on the west side of the village green was originally used as a small meeting room, and maybe used for teaching a small number of children. ....continued.
Shops
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Houses
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