Clapham, Bedfordshire

Coordinates: 52°09′54″N 0°30′07″W / 52.164892°N 0.501964°W / 52.164892; -0.501964

Clapham
Clapham  Clapham shown within Bedfordshire
Population	3,643 (2001)
OS grid reference	TL024529
Unitary authority	Bedford
Ceremonial county	Bedfordshire
Region	East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BEDFORD
Postcode district	MK41
Dialling code	01234
Police	Bedfordshire
Fire	Bedfordshire and Luton
Ambulance	East of England
EU Parliament	East of England
UK Parliament	North East Bedfordshire
List of places: UK • England • Bedfordshire

Clapham is a village and civil parish in the Borough of Bedford in Bedfordshire, England. It has a population of 3,643.^[1]

Facilities

Clapham has numerous public houses and several small shops; including a post office, Chinese and Indian takeaways, fish and chips, a florist, a hairdresser and a small bank; also it has two churches. It has its own lower school for children aged 4–9, Ursula Taylor Lower School. In the nearby village of Oakley is Lincroft Middle School for children aged 9–13. It has three pubs, the Horse and Groom, the Fox and Hounds and the Star, as well as these there is also an Italian restaurant, Bellini's.

RAF Twinwood Control Tower, restored in 2002

RAF Twinwood Farm, a disused airfield on the western outskirts of the village, is where the famous bandleader Glenn Miller took off on his last fateful flight, having performed for the American soldiers based at the airfield (51 Operational Training Unit ROYAL AIR FORCE was the main unit based at Twinwood Farm) and at Bedford Corn Exchange. The Glenn Miller Museum is now open on site with many events taking place during the summer months.

Clapham Park, a large new country house, was built by James Howard, member of parliament for Bedford, in 1872.

There is also a derelict Italian POW camp, which is now owned by a farmer and has been the victim of graffiti artists.

Sport and recreation

Clapham has a King George V Field in memorial to King George V

References

1. ^ "Neighbourhood Statistics - Clapham (CP) Parish". Office for National Statistics. http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=791946&c=Clapham&d=16&e=15&g=423271&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1202159941515&enc=1&dsFamilyId=779. Retrieved 4 February 2008. 

External links

• Clapham community website
• Places I've visited – Clapham by Ian Meadows
• Information on Twin Woods - Events and museum
• Clapham Bedford Bed & Breakfast accommodation and information
• Clapham Historical Society