Bedfordshire Places (2) : Leighton Buzzard

Leighton Buzzard is a market town in the south west of the county close to the Buckingamshire border.

Leighton Buzzard may have been founded as early as the 6th century. The name Leighton is thought to be derived from the Old English for farm clearing in the woods (Leah tun). The Buzzard part of the name may come Beau-desert and was added to the town's name in the 12th century. However, there are other theories about the origin of the town's name.

Leighton Buzzard gained a market charter in 1086, and it became a successful market town thanks to it's good transport links to local agriculture and to London. These transport links included the Grand Union Canal which flows through the town. Leighton Buzzard gained a railway station in 1838 which is now part of the West Coast Main Line. One of the oldest surviving narrow gauge railways also has a terminus in the town (Leighton Buzzard Light Railway). A more modern transport link built close to the town is the M1 motorway.

Wildcat

It has been a while since we had a model kit update. The latest project is #113 a Grumman Wildcat which, after a bit of a delay, is now progressing well and is in the painting stage. You may have noticed (or not) that the model kit list page has moved, it is now part of my website.

Church update : St Michael & All Angels, Ledbury

Let's go back to number 12 in this series, the parish church of Ledbury in Herefordshire. On my second trip i was able to explore more of the church including the separate bell tower. Unfortunately, i was unable to enter the main building, maybe it will be a third time lucky some time in the future.

Departing Caersŵs

On the Cambrian Line.

Return to Wootton Wawen

Wootton Wawen in Warwickshire is one of my favourite places and i returned there at the weekend. The church in the village, St Peter & St Paul is Saxon and the oldest church in the county. It has never been open when i have been visiting the village... until now! It was great to finally see inside it. I also had a walk along the Stratford Canal until the heat wore me out! You can see my Wootton Wawen photos here and the canal ones here.