Page 60 - Phonebox Magazine August 2011

NEWPORT PAGNELL WI
In July we welcomed Brian Breacher from the newport Pagnell Historical Society. He first of all gave us a short overview of the history of newport Pagnell, and then took us on a walk around the town to point out some of the older buildings.
The location of the town is special. Being situated at the top of a hill and at the confluence of two rivers, it is easy to defend, and is also at a strategic crossroads: leicester to london and Oxford to Cambridge.
There is evidence of settlements from the Bronze Age, Iron Age, 2nd and 4th Century Romans, and 9th Century Danes. In 1140 monks founded Tickford Priory, and in 1600 newport Pagnell was a garrison town.
Over the years the town has seen many industries including engineering, lacemaking, brewing, and coach building, and it is surrounded by prime farmland. The Domesday Book is covered in vellum made at the factory which is still in operation today.
we ended our walk with a welcome cup of tea in the British legion Club on what turned out to be a chilly evening. It was a very interesting visit, and even ladies who had lived in newport Pagnell all their lives learned something new about their home town.
The raffle was won by Gill Senior, 2nd evelyn Mison.
The competition, for an item beginning with ‘u’, was won by Jan Mazey, 2nd Dorrit ward, 3rd Pat Cutts.
newport Pagnell women’s Institute meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm in the Royal British legion Club, and is always delighted to welcome new members.
In August Chris ward will tell us about a journey from John O’Groats to lands end.
Happy 100th Doris
60 Phonebox Magazine
Doris pictured with her daughter Joan and son-in-law Richard.
Mrs Doris Gair recently celebrated her 100th Birthday in Bay House, Olney, were she has lived since 2008.
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