Flitwick
General History
Places > Flitwick > General History
Kelly's Directory of Bedfordshire 1894 (Extract)
Flitwick is a village and parish, bounded on the south by the Flitt, a tributary of the Ouse, with a station on the Midland railway, 3 miles south from Ampthill, and 10 south from Bedford, in the Southern division of the county, hundred of Redbornestoke, petty sessional division, union and county court district of Ampthill, rural deanery of Ampthill, archdeaconry of Bedford and diocese of Ely. The Church of SS. Peter and Paul is a small edifice of stone, in the Gothic style, restored and enlarged in 1858, and further improved in 1867, under the direction of Mr. W. Butterfield, architect; it consists of chancel, nave, aisles and an embattled tower containing 5 bells; on the north side is a Norman doorway; there are four memorial windows, one of which, erected in 1880 to the late Mrs Brooks, was presented by her three sons-Major John Hatfield Brooks, George Brooks, esq. and the Rev. Thomas William Dell Brooks M.A. rector of Great Hampden-another was placed in 1885 by E. Jenkins esq. to his wife, younger daughter of Major Brooks; the organ was presented by the late Mrs Brooks; the chancel was new-roofed in 1888, at the expense of Major Brooks J.P. lay rector. The register dates from the year 1661. There is a Wesleyan chapel at Denel End.
Flitwick Manor House, the seat of Major John Hatfield Brooks D.L., J.P. is a mansion of brick, in a well-wooded and picturesque park containing a fine sheet of ornamental water. Major Brooks who is lord of the manor, and the Duke of Bedford are the principal landowners.
The soil is light gravel; subsoil, sand. The chief crops are wheat, oats, barley, beans and peas. The land is chiefly arable, comprising 2,078 acres; rateable value, £6,317; the population in 1891 was 900.
Denel End and Flitwick East End are portions of this parish.
Parish Clerk, Frederick Brittain.
Post Office- Samuel Carr, sub-postmaster.
A School Board of 5 members was formed April 29, 1872; Robert M. White, Ampthill, clerk to the board.
Board School (mixed & infants), enlarged in 1873 & holding 170 children; average attendance, 160; John Abbott, master; Miss Woodbridge, infants' mistress.
