ROUNDABOUT ARTICLES

RAF GRANSDEN LODGE PART 1

Published October 2020

RAF Gransden Lodge started as a Special Operations Unit involved in the trials and development of new navigational aids

RAF GRANSDEN LODGE PART 2

Published November 2020

RAF Gransden Lodge was part of the elite Patherfinder Force but had an interesting life post WW2

RAF GRANSDEN LODGE POSTCRIPT

Published December 2020

WO Alan Hazelhurst was one of the aircrew who flew from RAF Gransden Lodge but tragically was killed in 1944.  His cousin, Carole Adams, shares memories of him

SPLASHERS AND BUNCHERS

Published February 2021

Manoeuvering hundreds of USAAF bombers into formation over eastern England in WW2 for daytime raids over occupied Europe required good airmanship skills in often difficult weather conditions.  To assist them in this essential but dangerous procedure crews used 2 British-made navigational beacons, Splashers and Bunchers.

THE BEDFORD LEVEL EXPERIMENT

Published March 2021

The fens of eastern england were the centre for an important experiment in the mid 19th century - to prove the earth was round

THE TOSELAND HUNDRED

Published April 2021

Until the mid 19th century, the hundred was the centre for local administration.  Buckden, along with numerous other parishes, was in the hundred of Toseland.

An interesting history of Toseland was produced by the Toseland Parish Council in 2013, is here.

OFFORD CLUNY'S FRENCH CONNECTION

Published date TBA

Offord was mentioned in the Domesday Book but the name Cluny is thanks to a French knight who fought alongside William the Conquerer

THE CREATION OF GRAFHAM WATER - PART 1

Published date TBA

The development of towns in this region during the 1960s needed a significant improvement to water supplies and required a new reservior.  The Diddington valley was chosen for its location, later to be known as Grafham Water

THE CREATION OF GRAFHAM WATER - PART 2

Published date TBA

All large infrastrucure projects impact on people and the environment.  Although now universally loved its creation destroyed farms and affected people living in the area.  Here are the thoughts of a couple of residents at the time...

THE FIRE OF NEEDINGWORTH

Published date TBA

The village of Needingworth was devestaed by a fire on the 16th September 1847.  This harrowing event is described by the local vicar but thanks to the determined efforts of the local community the villagers rebuild their shattered lives.
Picture courtesy of Peter Cooper