ICKLEFORD - PAST & PRESENT

"Ickleford - a much sought after village" and " A vibrant village" are just two of the phrases describing this picturesque community which combines today's modern living with the historic buildings, paths and environmental surroundings, that continue to provide the judges of 'The Village of the Year' competition with opportunities to present an annual award.

The Icknield Way, a former trading route and considered to be Britain's oldest road, intersects the village, with the parish boundaries being determined by River Oughton, River Hiz and the Bedford Road. The Icknield Way was used in early times as a through road, from its source in Norfolk to Dorset, for travellers, and excavations over the years have disclosed New Stone Age and Bronze Age communities as having established camps in the area.

Since the early years of the twelfth century, the church of St. Katharine of Alexandria has stood in the centre of the village, from an initial simple building to its present imposing position, supported over the years by the community, and now under current legislative requirements, to have further improvements being funded by the residents. On a historical point, the monks who built the church and the 'Old George', one of the four hostelries in the village and next to the church, constructed a tunnel between the church and pub, but this has since been blocked up. According to records maintained, during the Second World War Randolph Churchill, son of the wartime leader, his wife and their baby Winston, the M.P. occupied the Rectory, with their baby being christened in the church. Whilst Sir Winston was never seen in Ickleford, his wife Lady Clementine was a frequent visitor over the years.

The present Ickleford School was built in 1848, and additions to the building were added over the years to provide its present day capacity of 210 pupils, and with a constant demand for places always outstripping availability. The survival of the school through two World Wars saw many changes, including the use of the land in the front of the school for growing food, as well as being very overcrowded at times as the result of local children and evacuees being accepted into the school. From the early 1960's extensions were made to provide extra classrooms, indoor toilets and recreational facilities. The school today boasts excellent I.T. equipment and has an excellent academic record.

Prior to 1924 many of the village functions were held in the school, but following the donation of land the current Village Hall was built and formerly opened in December 1925. The Hall became an immediate asset to the village being used as an extension to the school, apart from the many social functions provided by village organizations. Today the usage of the Hall is total with continuous use by all village organizations, apart from Wedding receptions, Barn Dances, Harvest Suppers and in recent years the Pre-School, so a full circle in terms of educational requirement.

Mentioned with its association with the church, The Old George goes back to the 12th Century when it was an old house built by the Gilbertine Monks. The following century it was home to a leper colony and it became an Inn about the 1600s. The Green Man was jointly purchased with the Manor of Ickleford in 1777, but subsequently sold off as a single building and eventually taken over by McMullen's. The Plume of Feathers, previously a private house, has been serving ale since 1778, and currently is managed as a family business. Finally, The Cricketers, established in the 1800s, and formerly a cottage known as "The Live & Let Die". The name change came about as the men of the house played cricket on 'Ickleford Common', as did many of the customers and the name has since remained. For many years two elderly ladies, total village characters, ran the pub and when they finally retired the ownership was passed onto their family. The pubs all have their histories, old stories and in many cases strong family connections over many years.

Like all Villages a variety of businesses have existed over the years. Private butchers, bakers, The Forge, Metalworks, Coach building, Undertakers, Builders, Coal Merchants, Village Stores are just some of the older businesses that have and in some cases still exist. Now Car Showrooms, Glaziers, Accountants, Garden Design are among the business community, dominated in size by Bowmans Mill.

Mills have a long family association with the village with the Bowman family being closely associated with the business for nearly a Century. The modern mill silos dominate the village skyline, and the mill these days possesses the most modern equipment to ensure a profitable and efficient business. Over the years the village shops have flourished competitively, but now only the old Village Stores remains, highly successful and the "fountain of knowledge" for all news, but the recent loss of the Post Office has been a blow to the village.

Farming has always continued to flourish for the families involved, and more recently one of the oldest farming traditions of lavender farming has been revived in the village. Cadwell Farm has since 2000 developed 12 acres and five varieties of lavender, producing handmade soap and body lotions, oils and dried lavender. The wonderful sight of the lavender growing can be seen for miles and reminds the walkers of the country delights.

Finally Ickleford boasts within the village four Commons, Upper and Lower Greens and a variety of footpaths around the village enabling visitors to experience and enjoy the Flora, Fauna and Bird Life that can be found. The commons are looked after, through historically residents whose properties have grazing rights attached to them, and known as The Cow Commoners, With good husbandry and financial assistance the Commons have been cared for and established to their current levels.

Ickleford remains a village full of interest and character. Whilst many of the older generation who established much of the village have passed on, the interest has been maintained through other generations of established families, and made what it is today " A much sought after Village".

With acknowledgements to the Chairman of Ickleford Parish Council for the contribution of this item.

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