Milton Bryan
| Milton Bryan | |
| Bedfordshire | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SP970333 |
| Location: | 51°57’51"N, -0°35’15"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 144 (2001) |
| Post town: | Milton Keynes |
| Postcode: | MK17 |
| Dialling code: | 01525 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Central Bedfordshire |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Mid Bedfordshire |
Milton Bryan is a village in southern Bedfordshire. It may be found off the A4012 road, near to its junction with the A5 at Hockliffe.
The village is divided into two distinct areas: Church End and South End. South End includes the Red Lion pub and an attractive duck pond. A Methodist Chapel was built by the pond in the 19th century, resting on the banks of the pond and overhanging the pond supported on stilts.
Church End includes St Peter's Church and the remains of a radio station (Soldatensender Calais) built in the Second World War to broadcast 'black propaganda' into Nazi Germany.[1]
St Peter's Church
St Peter's Church was initially a simple 12th century Norman structure with a chancel, nave and small timber bell turret, with a 15th-century east window, windows in the nave and doorways in chancel and nave, and this forms the essential structure of the church.
The first major alterations took place in 1826 in memory of Sir Hugh Inglis, who had died in 1820, by his son Sir Robert Harry Inglis. A north transept was built and a family chapel over a vault, the architect seems to have been Sir Robert Smirke. A new tower and a porch were built in 1840-1841, designed by Lewis Nockalls Cottingham, the west window was reopened and a new west front gable were added. Ten years later a south transept was added at Sir Robert Harry Inglis' expense, after his death a stained glass window was installed in the north transept in 1857. Lady Paxton gave a stained glass window in 1867 in memory of her husband Sir Joseph, architect of the Crystal Palace, who was born in the village.
Pond
In 1861, a chapel was built over the pond, supported by stilts and partially on land. This was a timber Chapel with a slated roof which, at a squash, could seat up to 50 people. The interior was very simple and austere. During its life, the Chapel was maintained meticulously with loving care by the villagers who ensured that the pews were kept polished and the wooden floor scurbbed. Very often, the sound of ducks under the Chapel could be heard during the sermons and hymns. A plaque was placed by the pond to commemorate both the Millennium 2000 and the site of the former Milton Bryan Methodist Chapel.
Around the village
The nearest large town to Milton Bryan is Leighton Buzzard, very closely followed by Dunstable. It is also a short distance away from the sizable village of Toddington.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Milton Bryan) |