Flitwick
| Flitwick | |
| Bedfordshire | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TL033350 |
| Location: | 52°0’14"N, 0°29’48"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 12,700 (2001) |
| Post town: | Bedford |
| Postcode: | MK45 |
| Dialling code: | 01525 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Central Bedfordshire |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Mid Bedfordshire |
Flitwick is a village in Bedfordshire.
The River Flit through Flitwick Moor, a nature reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.[1]
The village is broadly equidistant between Bedford and Luton, both 10 miles away. It shares many services with the neighbouring town of Ampthill.
About the village
The village has limited shopping facilities, and trembles under the promise of redevelopment by the local council. There is a sports centre with a 25-metre swimming pool with kids pool attached. The leisure centre also has a gym, squash courts with leagues and gymnasium.
Flitwick Town Council own and operate from The Rufus Centre on the outskirts of the town on Steppingley Road. The Centre is also a busy conference and special event venue with office space to lease.
Flitwick has four pubs; the Crown, the Swan, the Bumble Bee and the Blackbirds. The pub formerly known as the Wheatsheaf re-opened as an Indian restaurant called the Indian Lodge. A membership-operated social club, The Flitwick Club, is situated on The High Street, opposite the Drivestyle yard.
Center Parcs Woburn Forest is being developed on the outskirts of Flitwick at Warren Wood. The building remains controversial locally as it removes public access to local woodland. Initially planning permission was denied by Bedfordshire County Council but this decision was over turned on appeal to the Secretary of State.
Flitwick is famous for its Flitwick Manor House, currently used as a hotel.
There is also physical evidence of a Norman era Flitwick Castle, a motte and bailey castle site, locally known as "The Mount".
Parish church
The parish church is the Church of St Peter and St Paul.
The church has a Norman doorway and a 12th-century font. The bells were recast re-tuned in recent years.
Sport
- Cricket: Flitwick Cricket Club ('The Otters')
- Football:
- Flitwick Town
- Flitwick Ladies
- Flitwick Eagles
- Dinamo Flitwick.
Outside links
- Flitwick Town Council
- Masquerade Theatre Group
- Flitwick Cricket Club
- Kingsmoor
- The Rufus Centre
- Flitwick Village Hall
- Flitwick Church
References
- ↑ Its name is not ancient but a back formation from Flitton. Ekwall, E. (1940) The Concise Dictionary of England Place-names; 2nd ed. Oxford:Clarendon Press; p. 174.