Structures and Buildings

Woodford has the unusual feature of having two War Memorials. Following the end of the First World War a committee was formed in order to oversee the erection of a memorial to those who had lost their lives. When the decision was made that it should be in the form of a crucifix, many objected and under the name of The Comrades Club proceeded to arrange for a memorial on the village green. As a result two memorials were erected.

Further details of some of the deceased can be found on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Web Site.

 The Village Memorial

  This War Memorial is situated on the village green and is constructed from Weldon Stone. It was unveiled by Colonel Malcolm Romer, and dedicated by Rev. Edgar Chew (former chaplain to the Forces, BEF) The event took place on Woodford Feast Sunday 1921 at 3pm under a very hot sun, and the service was conducted by Rev G M Davidson. At the end of the service the memorial was handed over to the village and accepted on behalf of the Parish Council by Mr F Matthews.

 The names of the fallen inscribed on the four sides of the memorial, for the record are: 

Following the end of the second world war 1939 -1945 the names of those from the village who lost their lives were added on a plaque on the north side of the memorial.

Donald Davidson was the son of Rev G M Davidson (former Woodford Rector) and was a member of the special services (forerunner to the SBS) and was killed in the Far East.

Richard Reed was the son of former Junior School headteacher (1913-14 & 1919-45), Fred Reed.

The Memorial

At the foot of the Church Tower on the north side stands the second war memorial. This memorial once again was erected in remembrance of those “who made the Great Sacrifice” between 1914 and 1919. On Saturday October 15^th 1921 at 3.30pm the Bishop of Peterborough led a dedication service for this memorial. Col. S G Stopford-Sackville unveiled the memorial, which is in the form of a Crucifix. Following the dedication service wreaths were laid. A tablet engraved with the names of those that lost their lives is found adjacent on the wall of the Church.

The tablet includes the additional names of Edward Bonser, Arthur Smith and Arthur Tarrant when compared to the memorial on the green but omits J Taylor. Those who lost their lives during the Second World War have their names inscribed around the foot of the memorial.

The Baptist Church

The Baptist Movement in Woodford started in 1812, and the present Church formed on 22 May 1822. The present building was first used for a service in October 1823. The chapel is situated between the High Street and Rose Terrace and can be reached from either road, although vehicular access is easier from Rose Terrace. Regular Services are held and further information is available by clicking here.

The Temperance Hall

The Temperance Hall was built in 1883 (the same year as the school on the village green - two large public building works at the same time). The cost was £500 including the site. Mr Abraham Mansell of Thrapston was the builder. The foundation stone was laid on February 14th of that year and the opening took place on June 27th. The hall was used for lectures and entertainment. Kelly's Directory 1890 states the hall could accommodate up to 300 persons, although later records indicate a maximum of 200 persons. 

By the 1970's Mr Basil Southgate had taken over the building and ran a general store selling all manner of items. He was succeeded by Mr Wittering who eventually closed down in 1995 owing to the ever increasing competition from the large out of town superstores.

Since that time the building has been used as a store and workshop. In 2007 the structural state of the hall was causing the Charity Trustees (who were responsible it) considerable concerns as the floor had all but collapsed, as a result the decision was made to sell the premises and it has now bee converted to two apartments. The proceeds have been invested and income from those proceeds can be used for the benefit of the village, by the Trustees.

Village Schools

Whellen's directory of 1849, states that there is a charity school in the village in "which 12 poor children are educated and clothed free by the Hon. Miss Arbuthnot (Woodford House). The "National School" in Church Street was instigated by Rev Smythe and his wife) and was erected in 1858 with masters residence, and enlarged in 1872 to accommodate 170 children with the average attendance in 1890 of 150 pupils.  The Infants school built in 1883 adjacent to the green could accommodate 200 children but the average attendance was 120 in 1890.  One has to remember that most children of this era left school at the age of 14  (or earlier) to start work and until 1931 there was no secondary education in this area.  The two schools operated as separate entities under the leadership of different head teachers until the early 1970s, before being amalgamated to form a Primary School.

In  September 1974 the present school accommodating up to 150 pupils was opened. The design comprised five classrooms around a central hall linked to a kitchen for the provision of mid day hot meals (since discontinued). Since that time space requirements per pupil have changed and realistically the maximum number of pupils that could be accommodated is between 110 and 120. The site also has enough space for a six a side football pitch and a netball court.

An extension to the school in 2007 improved the security of the building and increased the available administration area.

Further historical  details and photographs of the old schools are available on the history page of the school's own website - http://www.woodford.northants.sch.uk/history.htm

Structures further afield

The Water Tower

In complete contrast, the village water tower, stands at the high point of the parish. The tower was erected in 1934 (construction lasting six months) and can be seen from many miles around. The water tower stands 85 feet tall.

In the late 1980’s the tower was given a face-lift and in more recent years has also become the site of many mobile telephone transmitters.

The photograph above shows the water tower prior to the aerial / mast additions.

 Woodford Lock

The River Nene was first made navigable between Northampton and Peterborough in 1731,  when most probably the wooden locks (or similar) pictured were installed.

Improved navigation by the Nene Catchment Board in the 1930's under Chairman George Dallas resulted in the locks pictured being removed. Like many other locks on the River Nene it was replaced by a vertical steel guillotine like door at the downstream end and two doors pointing upstream at the opposite end. the distance between the two sets of gates is the lock chamber, which is about 80 feet long.

Woodford House

 Information to follow

Twywell Station

Information to follow

The Wesleyan Methodist Chapel

The Methodist Chapel at the junction of Pleasant Row, Constable Walk and Newtown is a small brick building and was built in 1869 as part of the Newtown development. It was known locally as the "little buster". The chapel closed in the early 1970's becoming  a carpentry workshop, before being converted into a private dwelling in the 1980's

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Northamptonshire Roll of Honour

Woodford CE Primary School

Woodford Baptist Church