Ampthill Past Memories

Mark Rankine recounts the story of Mosquito NF XVII HK 304, a night fighter plane converted from a regular Mosquito. Built in 1943, it saw action in various squadrons before its final posting at 51 OTU in Cranfield, Bedfordshire. On February 24, 1945, during a training exercise, the plane crashed in Flitwick, killing pilots Jack Bonnewit and John Moncaster. Rankine's research, inspired by the...

In this episode of the Ampthill Past Memories Podcast , host Sandra Read sits down with Peter Richardson in Maulden to explore the remarkable life of his father, Vivian Richardson. From a childhood shaped by hardship and loss, to his relentless determination to build a better life, Peter shares a deeply personal and inspiring tale of resilience, intelligence, and unwavering ambition. Against all o...

Peter Richardson was born in 1943, and has lived in the local all his life. Hear part 2 of his story here. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society. Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight into their personal and working lives of several decades ago.  The interviews c...

Gary Summerfield was born in Houghton Conquest in 1960. Hear his story here. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society. Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight into their personal and working lives of several decades ago.  The interviews conjure up a fabulous picture o...

Peter Richardson was born in 1943, and has lived in the local all his life. Hear his story here. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society. Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight into their personal and working lives of several decades ago.  The interviews conjure up...

Sue Stone was born in 1943, living in Ampthill since 1970. Hear her story here. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society. Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight into their personal and working lives of several decades ago.  The interviews conjure up a fabulous pictur...

Geoff Billington was born in Ampthill in 1945. Hear his story here. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society. Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight into their personal and working lives of several decades ago.  The interviews conjure up a fabulous picture of how Amp...

John Winfield was born in Ampthill in 1934. Hear his story about his early life here. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society. Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight into their personal and working lives of several decades ago.  The interviews conjure up a fabulous...

Mariella Cook was born in 1947, and has lived locally all her life. Hear her story here. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society. Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight into their personal and working lives of several decades ago.  The interviews conjure up a fabulo...

Maggie Fuller was born in 1951, and moved to Ampthill in 1975. Hear her story here. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society. Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight into their personal and working lives of several decades ago.  The interviews conjure up a fabulous pi...

Patricia Hutchings was born in Ampthill 1944. Hilda Northwood was born in Ampthill in 1934. They are sisters! Hear their stories here. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society. Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight into their personal and working lives of several de...

John Mayhead was born in 1931. Hear part two of his story here. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society. Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight into their personal and working lives of several decades ago.  The interviews conjure up a fabulous picture of how Ampthil...

John Mayhead was born in 1931. Hear part one of his story here. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society. Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight into their personal and working lives of several decades ago.  The interviews conjure up a fabulous picture of how Ampthil...

Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society. This episode of Ampthill Past Memories features Neville Ellis, who shares his fascinating life story, from growing up in Clophill to building a life in Ampthill. Neville was born in 1934 and has lived in Ampthill since 1959. Neville recounts poignant memories of his father’s return as a WWII POW, his bo...

David Bartram, interviewed by Mariella Cook, recounts his early life in Ampthill, born in 1949 at 153 Oliver Street. He remembers playing near Paul Roberts' smallholding and the Conker tree. David moved to a bungalow at 169 Oliver Street, where his grandad lived. He attended local schools, including the Infant School on Flitwick Road and the Sands School. David's brother, Brian, worked for...

Rev. Dominic Holroyd was born in 1994 and has been Priest-In-Charge at St Andrew's Church, Ampthill since 2020. Hear his special sermon recording here. WARNING - POOR AUDIO QUALITY. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society. Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight...

Robert Lawrence was born in 1931 and has lived in Ampthill since 1949. Hear his story here. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society. Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight into their personal and working lives of several decades ago.  The interviews conjure up a fab...

John Winfield has lived in Ampthill all his life except for his military service including operations in Korea. Hear the fourth and final part of his story here. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society. Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight into their personal and...

Robyn Smith has lived in Ampthill since her birth in 1950 Hear her story here. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society. Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight into their personal and working lives of several decades ago.  The interviews conjure up a fabulous picture...

In this episode of Ampthill Past Memories , Mariella Cook interviews Simon Wilson, son of the late John and Margaret Wilson, about their lasting impact on the Ampthill community. John and Margaret were dedicated public servants, each serving as town councillors and mayors, and actively supporting numerous charities, including Save the Children and the RNLI. Music was a cornerstone of Margaret’s li...

In this episode of Ampthill Past Memories , we hear from Mary Harris, a lifelong resident of Maulden and later Ampthill. At 99 years old, Mary shares fascinating memories of her early life, working at the Bovril factory during wartime, cycling long distances for work and social events, and the challenges of rationing. She also recalls Ampthill’s old shops, her love of bowls, and how she helped sta...

John Winfield has lived in Ampthill all his life except for his military service including operations in Korea. Hear part 3 of his story here. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society. Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight into their personal and working lives of se...

John Errick has lived in the Ampthill area since his birth in 1939. Hear his story here. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society. Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight into their personal and working lives of several decades ago.  The interviews conjure up a fabulo...

Dorothy Jenkins has lived in Ampthill since her birth in 1939. Hear her story here. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society. Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight into their personal and working lives of several decades ago.  The interviews conjure up a fabulous pi...

Stephen Murphy has lived in the Ampthill area since his birth in 1954. Hear his story here. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society. Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight into their personal and working lives of several decades ago.  The interviews conjure up a fab...