People
Dawn Clarke provided the majority these photos - many thanks
Life was not all hard work for the Edlesborough villagers. There were Sunday school treats, the harvest band played on the lawn at the old vicarage, which was the scene of many other fetes, garden parties etc. It was renowned for its wonderful rose garden and was managed by a staff of about 10 during the 18th century.
May Day festivities were celebrated on the green, including may-pole dancing and the Green Man.
There were bell ringers’ suppers and Sunday School Christmas parties.
The Edlesborough church choir going on an outing to Windsor in 1922.
Fred Sear, Claude Smith, Nellie Tibbett, John Pratt, Donald Jarvis, Jessie Sear, Dolly Meakins, Aubrey Meakins, Mary Tibbett, John xxx, Reg Birch, Albert Smallbones, Clara Tibbett, xxx, Dolly Smith.
Vehicles needed fuel......
Pinetrees Garage, Tring Road
A more common form of transport in the 1920s and 30s ……
1936 – outside the Tythe Barn.
Jack Lunnon in centre.
1938 - Edlesborough Green, Brook Street far left
Mrs Sarah Pearson of Edlesborough celebrated her 100th birthday in 1946. She died in 1947, aged 100 years and 6 months.
1959 – Luton played in the Cup Final.
George Smith, Eric Mead, Percy Simmons, Jack Lunnon.
1993, outside Janes Shoe Shop.
Mick Fountain, Jack Sear, Jack Lunnon.
Christmas Party 1947, Edlesborough Memorial Hall
Schoolgirls, circa 1955
Back Row - Pat Barnett, Nicola Lunnon, Dawn Lunnon, Mrs Guest (Headteacher), Joan Cook, Rosemary Dudley, Joan Archer.
Front Row - Pat Sharatt, Anne Lunnon.
'Miss Price Leads the Lesson Again'.
Former village school children relived their lessons when they held a Saturday reunion in their old classroom.
Pupils of Edlesborough School from 1957 renewed friendships with people they had not seen in some cases sine they were 11 years old!
One of the guests at the reunion was former headmistres Mrs Enid Perkins, whom the children knew as Miss Price. She joined the school in 1957 and retired in 1976.
The idea grew from a chance meeting in an Edlesborough pub between former pupils. Then began a search of electoral rolls and the writing of many letters to trace former pupils....
From Leighton Buzzard Observer 5th June 1959
Edlesborough Football Team, 1930
Cricket was a popular sport
Edlesborough Cricket Team about 1955
Back Row - Jack Lunnon, Bob Morton, Chum Bates, Unknown, Unknown, Maunders, Unknown
Front Row - Bill Bodsworth (Binkle), Unknown, Unknown, Percy Simmons, Unknown, John Lyons
Rugby Portland Cement Cricket Team, circa 1969
Crime
In the 19th century the villagers appeared to have been quite a law abiding community, however for those convicted the penalties were often severe.
· In 1839 a villager was convicted of having stolen a quantity of straw plait to the value of 6 shillings – he was transported for 10 years.
· Another villager was convicted of having stolen a stone bottle, value 1 shilling, and 5 quarts of rum, value 10 shillings – he was transported for 15 years.
Some of the cases were treated more leniently:
· A woman was convicted of stealing 3 herrings and 4 oz butter, value 5d, on 20th March 1855 – she was imprisoned for one month in the House of Correction at Aylesbury.