Barton-le-Clay

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Barton-le-Clay
civil_parish= Barton-le-Clay
latitude= 51.9669
longitude= -0.4241
population= 5,000 (2002 est.)
shire_district= South Bedfordshire
region= East of England
shire_county= Bedfordshire
constituency_westminster= Mid Bedfordshire
post_town= BEDFORD
postcode_district = MK45
postcode_area= MK
dial_code= 01582
os_grid_reference= TL082310

Barton-Le-Clay is a large village in the south of Bedfordshire, England, located at gbmapping|TL082310. The village has existed since at least 1066 and is mentioned in the "Domesday Book".

Location

Barton-Le-Clay is on the outskirts of South Bedfordshire between Bedford and Luton, convert|30|mi|km|0 north of London. Nearby villages include Sharpenhoe, Silsoe, Westoning and Pulloxhill. The A6 which runs from Luton (6 miles south of the village) bypasses Barton and continues through Bedford (north of the village) to Carlisle. The bypass was constructed in January 1990.

Local newspapers

Two weekly newspapers are delivered free to all houses in Barton, with news about Barton and the surrounding area.
* [http://www.lutontoday.co.uk "Herald and Post"] (Luton based) – delivered every Thursday
* [http://www.lsnmedia.co.uk/luton/ "Dunstable on Sunday"] – delivered every Sunday

Barton Hills

To the south-east of Barton is a large hill. From the foot of this a spring (Barton Springs) marks the start of a chalk stream river. During the summer Dartmoor ponies roam the hills. Barton Hills are part of the Chilterns with hiking routes marked on maps at the entrance to the hills.

Places of worship

*Baptist – Hope Chapel
*Church of England – St. Nicholas Church [cite web|title = St. Nicholas Church Barton-le-Clay Bedfordshire|publisher = St Nicholas Church, Barton|url = http://www.stnicholas-barton.org.uk|accessdate = 2006-11-12 ]
*Methodist – Barton-le-Clay
*Roman Catholic – St. Matthew (Now closed)

chools

There are two major schools in the village, Ramsey Manor Lower School and Arnold Middle School, together serving pupils aged from 5 to 13. The lower school only takes pupils from within the village while the middle school has a much wider catchment area including Westoning, Silsoe and Greenfield. Upper school children have to go to Harlington upper school.

[http://www.orchardschool.org.uk Orchard School & Nursery] is a small private nursery and prep school for children aged 0 to 7, on the outskirts of Barton in Higham Road. The village also has a pre-school.

Transportation

The closest railway station to Barton is in Harlington. Regular buses run through Barton and stop at the seven bus stops.

Clubs and groups

Organisations offer karate and football. A Rotary Club meets at The Bull Hotel. [cite web|title = Barton le Clay Rotary Club|publisher = Barton-le-Clay Rotary Club|url = http://www.bartonleclayrotary.org.uk|accessdate = 2006-11-11 ] Barton Players, the local amateur dramatics group, hold plays and Summer workshops [cite web|title = Barton Players - Future Productions|publisher = Barton Players|url = http://www.bartonbydesign.co.uk/players/futureproductions.htm|accessdate = 2006-11-11 ] for children in the village hall.There is a thriving youth drama group in the village called Up-Stage [http://www.up-stage.co.uk]

Football

Barton-Le-Clay has a football team (Barton Rovers F.C.) who play at Sharpenhoe Road. The club played in the Southern League Division One East for the 2005-2006 season.

Public services

*Barton Library – [http://www.galaxy.bedfordshire.gov.uk/cgi-bin/viewpoint_server.sh?enqtype=LIBINFO&session_no=&from=&pp=&libno=52 Website]
* GP Surgery [http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/find/results/detail/index.aspx?organisationId=E81046+MK45%204TA^1&find_type=gp&postcode=MK45%204NY Dr Sydenham & partners] .

Famous People

Barton-Le-Clay is the birthplace of 1980's Pop singer Rick Astley, now infamous for being the feature of Rickrolls

War memorials

There are two World War memorials, one near the main road (on the junction between Luton Road and Hexton Road) and the other in the Parish Church - both have identical names. A list of all the people on the memorials has been compiled on the Roll of Honour website. [cite web|title = Roll of Honour - Bedfordshire - Barton|publisher = Lynda Smith|url = http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Bedfordshire/BartonRollofHonour.html|accessdate = 2006-11-12 ]

History

The Domesday Book

Barton-le-Clay "Domesday Book" entry, taken from 210d 2.

In FLITT Hundred M. The Abbot also holds Barton(in-the-clay). It answers for 11 hides. Land for 12 ploughs. In lordship 3 hides; 2 ploughs there; a third possible. 20 villagers have 9 ploughs. 7 smallholders and 6 slaves. 1 mill, 2s, meadow for 6 ploughs; woodland, 200 pigs. In total, value £10; the same when acquired; before 1066 £12. This manor always lay in (the lands of) St Benedict's Church. With this manor the Abbot claims against Nigel of Aubigny and Walter the Fleming 12 acres of meadow which lay there before 1066, but John of Les Roches dispossessed him wrongfully, and this the Hundred testifies.

St Nicholas Church – Restoration of 1879

Published by the NOF Digitise Architecture England Consortium.
* [http://www.crsbi.ac.uk/ed/bd/barto/x16901.jpgSt Nicholas Church plans from 1879]

Pictures

References

External links

* [http://www.bartonleclay.co.uk/ Parish council]
* [http://www.picturesofengland.com/England/Bedfordshire/Barton_Le_Clay Pictures of England - Barton-Le-Clay]