Queens Park, Bedford

infobox UK place
country = England
static_

static_image_caption =
latitude=
longitude=
official_name = Queens Park
population = 7,688 [cite web | publisher = Office of National Statistics | url = http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=3&b=5948411&c=Queens+Park&d=14&e=16&g=423544&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1202160672109&enc=1 | title = Neighbourhood Statistics - Queen's Park (Ward) | accessdate = 4 February | accessyear = 2008]
shire_district = Bedford
shire_county = Bedfordshire
region = East of England
constituency_westminster = Bedford
post_town = BEDFORD
postcode_district = MK40
postcode_area= MK
dial_code=01234
os_grid_reference= TL037496

Queens Park is an electoral ward in Bedford, England. The areas borders are (roughly) Bromham Road to the north, The Midland Main Line railway line to the east, and The River Great Ouse to the south. The area is served by its own Urban community Council.

History

The land in Queens Park was farmed as early as the 11th Century, and occupied by tenant farmers. The only evidence of primitive settlements is the discovery of flint at Honey Hills. Early settlements & dwellings included; Provendor Farm, Prebend Farm, and the Farm House & cottages at Bedford Ford End (until the 1950s) now Fernleigh Close. Gallows existed up to 1802 at the sharp bend on the Bromham Road. [NJ Greenaway, "Some notes on the history of Queens Park", 1980]

In 1890 W.H.Allen brought 20 acres of land west of Bedford town centre to establish his 'Queens Engineering Works', and housing for his employees. The works (and the new community) were named in honour of the Queen of the day, Queen Victoria. [http://www.bedford.gov.uk/Default.aspx/Web/BriefHistoryofBedford 'History of Bedford']

Queens Park has hosted many communities migrating to the Bedford area over the 20th Century, firstly Irish and Italian families, followed by Asians, Africans, and most recently eastern Europeans.

The engineering works survived in Queens Park for over 100 years, but over that time a great number of other businesses and shops have established themselves in the area. Today, Queens Park It is one of the most established and centrally located areas in Bedford.

Queens Park today

Queens Park today is a very diverse and multicultural area. This is reflected in the many specialist shops and businesses located in the community, including many international supermarkets and delis. There are also a varied number of places of worship including an Anglican Church, two Mosques and the largest Sikh temple in the UK outside London.

One of the largest businesses in the area is Wells and Young's Brewery. The Brewery is now the largest employer in Queens Park after the closure of the Allen's Engineering Works. However the Allen Club is still located in the area, on Hurst Grove.

Politics

Queens Park Urban Community Council is the local council for Queens Park with 12 seats elected every four years. The last elections were in 2006 with 11 Conservative councillors and 1 independent councillor being elected. Queens Park elects 2 councillors to Bedford Borough Council and 1 councillor to Bedfordshire County Council, all of which are currently from the Labour Party.

Local Amenities

There are a great many shops serving the Queens Park population most of which are independent retailers. Most shops are located on Ford End Road and Iddesleigh Road. Queens Park's Post Office is located on Iddesleigh Road.

The area is on a main bus route into Bedford town centre. The main open space in Queens Park is located along the riversideas well as the Allen Park Recreation Ground. There is also a provision of allotments located on the western edge of the area. Queens Park Community Centre is situated on Marlborough road.

Education

There are two Lower schools in Queens Park - Queens Park Lower School which is situated over two sites on Chestnut Avenue and Marlborough Road, and St Joseph's Roman Catholic Lower School located on Chester Road. Also on Chester Road is Westfield Middle School which educates Queens Park's 9-13 year olds. For older children the area is in the catchment for Biddenham Upper School which is located just to the north of Queens Park. [http://bedfordshire.gov.uk/EducationAndLearning/SchoolAdmissions/SchoolCatchmentAreas.aspx 'Bedfordshire School Catchment Areas']

'Enterprise House' (located on Old Ford End Road) is a small adult education centre operated by Bedford College. The centre offers a range of part-time courses for the Queens Park community, covering a range of subjects from child care and computing to English language skills and maths.

Barnfield College also offers education and training at its campus on Westbourne Road in Queens Park. The campus is for students from all over Bedford as well as Queens Park, and offers a range of further education courses.

Places of Worship

All Saints Church (Church of England) is located on Iddesleigh Road. There is a Moravian Church situated on Howard Avenue. Serbian Orthodox services are also held at the church. The Jamia Masjid Gulshani Baghdad Mosque is situated on Westbourne Road, while the Jamia Masjid Hanfia Ghousia Mosque is on Ford End Road. The Guru Nanak Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) is also located on Ford End Road.

References

External links

* [http://www.bedford.gov.uk/Default.aspx/Web/QueensParkCommunityCentre Queens Park Community Centre]
* [http://www.wellsandyoungs.co.uk/ Wells & Young's Brewery]
* [http://www.qpls.co.uk/ Queens Park Lower School]
* [http://www.schools.bedfordshire.gov.uk/schools/Stjolower/INDEX.HTM St Joseph's Lower School]
* [http://www.westfieldschool.net/ Westfield Middle School]
* [http://www.biddenham.org Biddenham Upper School]
* [http://www.bedford.ac.uk/ourcentres/foundation Enterprise House with Bedford College]
* [http://www.barnfield.ac.uk/ Barnfield College]
* [http://www.allsaintsbedford.co.uk/church/index.php All Saints Church, Queens Park]
* [http://www.moravian.org.uk/pages/congregations/Bedford.html Bedford Moravian Church (Queens Park)]
* [http://bedfordmuslims.co.uk/ Queens Park & Bedford Mosques]
* [http://www.bedfordgurdwara.co.uk/ Queens Park & Bedford Gurdwara (Sikh Temple)]