Westoning

Westoning is a village in Bedfordshire located about two miles north-east of junction 12 of the M1 motorway, and beside the First Capital Connect railway line to London and beyond. The nearest railway station is located in Harlington, just over a mile to the south, although it is often considered easier to get to the railway station in Flitwick by foot.

Population

Westoning has a population of over 2000 inhabitants. It has traditionally been represented by a Conservative on the Mid Bedfordshire District Council; it forms part of the Westoning and Tingrith ward.

Amenities

Located on the village high street is the small joint Post Office and newsagents and traditional village butchers. Westoning also has a large recreation ground which includes 3 football pitches. A full size grass football pitch, a smaller grass football pitch which is used for the children's football teams and a concrete 5-a-side football pitch. The park is also fenced off from the rest of the recreation ground and provides various playground apparatus for young children.

The village is home to two public houses and a social club called Westoning Recreation Club. The pubs are named The Chequers and The Bell, and are located on Park Road and Greenfield Road respectively. The social club is located on Greenfield Road and is opposite The Bell and next to the recreation ground, hence the name. Up until 2005 Westoning was home to a specialist vintage car repair and sales garage called Richard Shrive Cars. It also has a set of offices on the corner of Bell Close. At the top of Sampshill Road Billington's Car Company have their storage area for stock. It is also home to a garden centre called Flitvale Garden Centre located just outside the village on the road to Flitwick.

The recreational facilities include Westoning Football Club who have Saturday and Sunday teams and are based out of the social club. Westoning Tennis Club that play mostly in the summer, they hold many events and have many teams of men and women's singles and doubles, mixed doubles and has a Westoning tournament between its members. its tranquil location has many public footpaths through Westonings many farms. The River Flit flows behind Westoning's stud farm.

Westoning village hall is situated in Church Road, and is available for hire for all sorts of activities including private parties and wedding receptions. The building dates back to the 1840's and has a long and colourful history of village life.

The lower school is situated in the heart in the village was known for its many social occasions that include performances such as country dancing. The performances are conducted at the village fair, all the children take part.

Westoning Recreation Club also holds an annual event; this serves as a fund raising event for both its self and the Lower School. For the past few years this annual event has been a "Donkey Derby".

Expansion

Little redevelopment and expansion is possible in Westoning which is due to the lack of sites available. Its new developments have been Highfields and a small number of houses in Spensley Road. Recently the Manor house was redeveloped into expensive and exclusive flats, while the grounds of the manor house was developed into very large 4 and 5 bedroom detached houses.

History

It is mentioned in the Doomsday book and was once inhabited by John Bunyan. The area is also the location of "An Execution and a Miracle", a 13th Century legend.

External links

* [http://thechequers.com/ The Chequers Pub]
* [http://www.mythsandlegends.com/mythsandlegends/story16-an-execution-and-a-miracle.html An Execution and a Miracle] – An animated version of the Legend
* [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=42464 The History of Westoning]
* [http://www.westoningvillagehall.co.uk Village Hall]
* [http://www.flitvalegardencentre.com Flitvale Garden Centre]