Wildcat done

The second model kit of the year has been completed, a bit behind schedule but at least it is done now. Project #113 is a Grumman F4F Wildcat and has been built with it's undercarriage up. 

Bedfordshire places (4) : Lidlington

The village of Lidlington is in the Marston Vale in central Bedfordshire.

Lidlington was mentioned in the Domesday Book, the manor of Litinclitone (as it was known then) being held by the Abbess of Barking. After the dissolution, the manor was surrendered to the Crown before being handed over to Edward Ditchfield in 1628. In 1801, the manor became the possession of the Duke of Bedford. The Duke built a Gothic style church in the village in 1845.

Next to the village was a brickworks (a common feature in the Marston Vale), the site is now a large Amazon warehouse. Also next to the village is Millbrook Proving Ground, once the test track of Vauxhall cars, but now used by many manufacturers and is one of the largest vehicle testing centres in Europe.

Lidlington railway station opened in 1846. The main station building (now a private residence) was in the Gothic Revival style on the insistence of the 7th Duke of Bedford.

Denham for the third time

Denham is an interesting place, the original village is now a fair walk from other parts of Denham (such as Higher Denham and Denham Green) which have grown up in the last hundred and fifty years or so after the opening of the railways. I have been to Denham twice before but not visited the original village, so on my third trip yesterday decided to finally right that wrong. Unfortunately, i picked a day with heavy rain and i got soaked! Still, it was still lovely to see the original village at last, you can see my photos here.

Church update : All Saints, Little Kimble

Let us revisit the lovely little church of All Saints in Little Kimble, Buckinghamshire. On my second visit to the church a few weeks ago it was open so i could have a look inside. I do prefer a simple nave and chancel layout church to be honest. The church has traces of painting on the walls, a reminder that medieval churches usually did not have white washed walls but instead vivid depictions of Biblical stories.

Deblogification one year on

A year ago (or a year and four days ago to be exact) my then-new website replaced my railway stations blog. Since then five other sections of my web site have replaced or supplemented my other blogs. Phase 2 of Project Deblogification will see the ending of new posts on three other blogs (including this one). This will take place over the next few months.

However, there is a new blog in development which will be book review and history based. This will replace Knell Lane (this blog), this will happen sometime in the Autumn.

Detson 2

A few days ago i finally created a master list of calculators in my collection, though the list is not yet complete. I have been collecting the things for over twenty years and they have been placed in little bundles all over the house so i may have more to yet discover and add to the list! I do have a new machine to add though, which came today. This Detson 803PM, which works nicely. My list also helps me know that this is the second Detson in the collection.

Bearley

Bearley is a lovely village in south Warwickshire between Claverdon and Wilmcote. I have been before and revisited the village hoping to see inside the church of St Mary the Virgin which is one of my favourites. Alas, it was locked again. Maybe i'll have more luck on a future visit!

You can see my photos here.

Bedfordshire Places (3) : Stewartby

Stewartby is a model village in central Bedfordshire.

Stewartby was built for workers of the London Brick Company in the first half of the 20th century, named after the Stewart family who were directors of the company at the time. Work began on the village in 1926, the new village being based around two farming settlements called Wootton Pillinge and Wootton Broadmead. The village was named Stewartby in 1935. At it's time the Stewartby brickworks was one of the largest in the world, it finally closed in 2008. The final chimneys were demolished in 2021.

Next to the village is a water park and some other leisure facilities. The village gained a sixth form college in 2013. The village has a station on the Marston Vale Line, this station was originally for Wootton Pillinge and opened in 1905.

Church update : St Peter, Wootton Wawen

Let's go back to number 1 in the Churches series! I recently revisited St Peter's in Wootton Wawen, the oldest church in Warwickshire with parts being Saxon. Finally, the church was open when i was there so i was able to go inside at last! The mix of styles and periods inside is fascinating.

Tame Bridge Parkway

Arriving at Tame Bridge Parkway.

Little Kimble and Ellesborough

At the weekend i headed down to Buckinghamshire for the first time in a while. I visited Little Kimble again, which is one of my favourite places in the world. This time though i also walked the mile to the neighbouring village of Ellesborough. On returning to Little Kimble, i was able to go inside the church of All Saints for the first time. You can see my photos here.

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 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.