Turvey

Turvey is a small English village, situated in Bedfordshire. It is about six miles west of Bedford on the River Great Ouse. It lies on the A428 between Bedford and Northampton, close to the border with Buckinghamshire.

History

Turvey was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a parish within the Hundred of Willey. There are around 8 entries for Turvey in the Domesday Book of 1086. The Mordaunt family obtained the manor by marriage in 1197 and were elevated to Barons of Turvey in the 16th century. The Mordaunt family's house, Turvey Old Hall, was replaced by Turvey House in 1792, by which time the estate had passed to the Higgins family. It was extended in the 19th century, and is still standing. There is a second large house in the village called Turvey Abbey, which was historically a family house, but now has a use that matches its name, as it is occupied by Benedictines.

Turvey has a strong lace-making history, there is evidence of a lace-making school existing in the 19th century.

Turvey's Parish Church is called All Saints and has Saxon origins. It is the largest church in the deanery of Sharnbrook and was in the Diocese of Lincoln until it was transferred to the Diocese of Ely in 1837. Since 1914 it has been in the Diocese of St Albans.

Transport

Turvey used to have a railway station, which was located about a mile to the east of the centre of the village. It is now served by the X2 bus route which runs between Bedford and Northampton.

Population

Turvey has a population of around 1,200.

For electoral purposes Turvey ward also includes the villages of Stagsden and Kempston Rural. The area is represented on the Borough Council by Mark Smith, elected in May 2007.

Pubs in Turvey

The Three Fyshes Built in 1487, the pub is almost unchanged from when it first sold beer in 1624. It is said that one of Guy Fawkes' colleagues was captured here in 1602 by the King's soldiers!

The Three Cranes The Three Cranes stands to the left of the Church, and is also situated in a lovely old building.

The Laws Hotel Built 1836-1840 the Laws Hotel is no longer a pub.

The Tinker of Turvey This ancient public house is now the village stores, situated on the high street. It remained an inn until the early 19th century.

Turvey Amateur Theatrical Society

The village is home to a vibrant amateur theatrical society often known by its initials TATS. In February 2006, it premiered the play Friends or Foe, based on a book by the former children's laureate Michael Morpurgo and adapted by Ruth Lusby.