GenUKI Contents | Bedfordshire | Nearby places |
"CAMPTON, a parish in the hundred of Clifton, in the county of Bedford, 7 miles to the south west of Biggleswade, its post town. It is situated on the banks of the river Ivel, and contains the township of Shefford, which is a station on the Midland (South-East branch) railway. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Ely, value with the perpetual curacy of Shefford annexed, £374, in the patronage of Sir G. Osborne, Bart. The church is dedicated to All Saints, and contains monuments to the Osbornes, and a brass of the year 1489. Here, too, lie the remains of Robert Bloomfield, the poet, who spent his last days here, and died in August, 1823. The old manor-house is now used as a school-house. The parochial charities consist chiefly of the Feoffment Estate, which produces about £140 per annum. The parish now forms part of the honour of Ampthill.""SHEFFORD, a chapelry and market town in the parish of Campton, hundred of Clifton, county Bedford, 9 miles south east of Bedford, and 7 north west of Hitchin. Biggleswade is its post town. It is a station on the Midland railway. The town is situated on the river Ivel, which has been rendered navigable to Biggleswade. It consists of several clean and wide streets, which are well paved and lighted with gas. The inhabitants are chiefly employed in the straw plait manufacture. Some specimens of Roman glass have been discovered at Stanford Bury, and other antiquities in this parish, which are preserved in the Fitzwilliam museum at Cambridge. The tithes were commuted in 1797 for land and corn rents under an Enclosure Act. The living is a curacy* annexed to the rect, of Campton, in the diocese of Ely. The church is dedicated to St. Michael. There is a parochial school for both sexes, also an infant school. The Wesleyans, Baptists, and Roman Catholics have each a place of worship. Robert Blomfield, the poet, resided here, and was buried at Campton in 1823. The Queen is lady of the manor. Market day is on Fridays. Fairs are held on 23rd January, 6th April, 10th May, and 11th October."