The John Bunyan Trail (16) Clapham & Bedford

The latest leg of the Bunyan trail is starting from the village of Clapham. Probably most famous for the location of RAF Twinwood Park as any fans of Band Leader Glenn Miller would know. It was from here on 15th December 1944 that he took the fateful flight to France and was never seen again. Officially he is still listed as 'Missing in action' to this day.The site now hosts the Glenn Miller/Twinwood museum, with an annual Twinwood Festival. We are walking along some lovely leafy private lanes towards Clapham Park.Not quite sure what to expect today as there will be a lot of urban walking as we venture into Bedford Town Centre. In the Meantime we follow the 'Bunyan path' past the cemetery on our left and cut through Bedford Park. A Grade Two listed English Heritage Victorian park in the north of Bedford. Created in 1888 it is the largest urban park in Bedford 

 

Foster Hill Road Cemetery

A little further on is Bedford School.

Bedford School was founded in 1552, one of the oldest boys' schools in the United Kingdom.The school has produced Cricketer 'Alastair Cook' who went on to captain the England Cricket Team. Bedford Park is a Grade Two listed English Heritage Victorian park in the north of Bedford. Created in 1888 it is the largest urban park in Bedford. There are some beautiful trees within the grounds of Bedford Park, many of which formed part of the original layout of the park from 1888. It looks a very affluent area with the large houses and wide avenues. We arrive in Bedford town centre and the North Bedfordshire Heritage Trail.

Presented by the Duke of Bedford, the statue of John Bunyan by Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm was unveiled on 10th June 1874 before a crowd of 10,000. Boehm was a favourite Sculptor of Queen Victoria. His statue of John Brown is hidden away in the woods at Balmoral. Bunyan is depicted holding a Bible. The scenes around the base are from the 'Pilgrims Progress'. John Bunyan died in 1688 in London. He is buried there in Bunhill Fields, City Road.  

On St Peter's Green, not only do we have the 'Bunyan' statue we also have the old Lamp post in Bedford. Sounds a bit like something Alan Partridge might say I know. The one pictured left was originally gas lit and dates back to the 1860's. This would have been been when street lighting was first introduced to Bedford.  

Bedford bills itself as a town of Markets. a thriving market town since 1166, when King Henry II granted Bedfordians their original Charter to hold markets. St Paul’s Square has been a focal point of markets for the community in Bedford since the 1500s. There is also an attractive water fountain erected in 1883.(The Turnley Drinking Fountain). Set in the outer railings of St Pauls it would have served Bedford residents and their livestock. 

We arrive at the River Great Ouse which flows through the centre of Bedford. Often described as the Jewel in the  Crown. It is only spoiled by some horrible architecture, not least the Council HQ designed in the 1960's.Ugly buildings aside it is a lovely walk in the sunshine by the water. 

With the football World Cup just over a month away there is clearly some optimism for success in Bedford!

The majority of the walk thereafter is very much an urban affair with little to report really. As we make our way back we pass the Ford that gave us so many problems on a previous walk. It looks more sedate today for some reason. A Swan is on her nest looking after eggs. All very different to the last visit. We continue on our way towards Clapham Green. It has been afar more interesting walk than I anticipated. A total of 8 miles covered.