The History of Putnoe in Bedford

The Popes & Hartops(1883 to 1953)

Towards the end of the 19th Century land was being sold by gentry to realise capital. Charles Pope of Sandy, a Miller, for £25,131 purchased Putnoe in 1883 from the 9th Duke of Bedford, Francis Charles Hastings Russell. It appears that the Farmer, John Horrell, remained as the tenant of Putnoe Farm until at least 1885. However, by 1890 the lease had been taken by Thomas Ernest Davies. By 1891 two cottages had been built close to the farm, on the other side of the road of what is now Putnoe Street. These were occupied by Farm labourers and their families. Thomas Davies seems to have been an active member of the community and was the Goldington Parish Council Clerk around 1898. However by 1901 he had vacated Putnoe Farm, and a farm labourer was acting a housekeeper.

In 1903 Charles George Hartop occupied the farm. The estate at this time was still owned by the Pope family. In 1908 the Hartop brothers, William and Arthur had taken tenancy of the farm.

Charles Pope had died in 1888 and the Putnoe estate passed to is daughter Ellen Pope, and sons Charles and Francis Pope. They continued to own the estate until early 1910, when it was sold in lots.

The Hartop family appear to have been the principle purchasers of Putnoe land, although small areas such as that west of Putnoe Wood were sold to others. However, by 1946 the Hartops had acquired all of the original Putnoe estate, as well as Elms Farm in Goldington.

Following World War 2 there appeared to be a decline in the prosperity of Farming across North Bedford. The farm land was described in 1952 by Max Lock as: "... a somewhat featureless expanse of arable and grazing land, extending as far north as the Borough boundary; it is rectangular in shape, a mile long from east to west and a quarter of a mile wide, with a handful of trees towards its southern boundary. There are gently undulating slopes and a long, shallow valley extending across the south. On the crown of the site in the north-west corner the landscape is relieved by the well-wooded garden and entrance drives of Putnoe Farm. Apart from three long, straight hedges that traverse the site from north to south and three small ponds, there are no other features of interest."

Major developments for the future were being considered in the Borough of Bedford, and by 1953 the Hartops had agreed the sale of the first part of Putnoe to the Bedford Corperation to allow a housing development to start.

Navigate this site:

Use the side menu, bottom bar or the 'Quick Access' drop down list below to search this site:

HOME - Clubs - Contact - Events - Guestbook - History - Links - Maps - Photos - Search - Weather

We make every effort to maintain the accuracy of the information on this Web. However, we cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage which may occur from its use. If you see anything which you think is inaccurate or misleading please contact us.

Copyright © 2002
These pages, unless otherwise stated, are copyright protected.

Farmers
HOME Clubs & Societies Contact us Events & News Guestbook History Local Links Maps Photos Search the Web Weather	The Popes & Hartops(1883 to 1953) Towards the end of the 19th Century land was being sold by gentry to realise capital. Charles Pope of Sandy, a Miller, for £25,131 purchased Putnoe in 1883 from the 9th Duke of Bedford, Francis Charles Hastings Russell. It appears that the Farmer, John Horrell, remained as the tenant of Putnoe Farm until at least 1885. However, by 1890 the lease had been taken by Thomas Ernest Davies. By 1891 two cottages had been built close to the farm, on the other side of the road of what is now Putnoe Street. These were occupied by Farm labourers and their families. Thomas Davies seems to have been an active member of the community and was the Goldington Parish Council Clerk around 1898. However by 1901 he had vacated Putnoe Farm, and a farm labourer was acting a housekeeper. In 1903 Charles George Hartop occupied the farm. The estate at this time was still owned by the Pope family. In 1908 the Hartop brothers, William and Arthur had taken tenancy of the farm. Charles Pope had died in 1888 and the Putnoe estate passed to is daughter Ellen Pope, and sons Charles and Francis Pope. They continued to own the estate until early 1910, when it was sold in lots. The Hartop family appear to have been the principle purchasers of Putnoe land, although small areas such as that west of Putnoe Wood were sold to others. However, by 1946 the Hartops had acquired all of the original Putnoe estate, as well as Elms Farm in Goldington. Following World War 2 there appeared to be a decline in the prosperity of Farming across North Bedford. The farm land was described in 1952 by Max Lock as: "... a somewhat featureless expanse of arable and grazing land, extending as far north as the Borough boundary; it is rectangular in shape, a mile long from east to west and a quarter of a mile wide, with a handful of trees towards its southern boundary. There are gently undulating slopes and a long, shallow valley extending across the south. On the crown of the site in the north-west corner the landscape is relieved by the well-wooded garden and entrance drives of Putnoe Farm. Apart from three long, straight hedges that traverse the site from north to south and three small ponds, there are no other features of interest." Major developments for the future were being considered in the Borough of Bedford, and by 1953 the Hartops had agreed the sale of the first part of Putnoe to the Bedford Corperation to allow a housing development to start. <Back to Top>
Navigate this site: Use the side menu, bottom bar or the 'Quick Access' drop down list below to search this site: Quick Access:
HOME - Clubs - Contact - Events - Guestbook - History - Links - Maps - Photos - Search - Weather We make every effort to maintain the accuracy of the information on this Web. However, we cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage which may occur from its use. If you see anything which you think is inaccurate or misleading please contact us. Copyright © 2002 These pages, unless otherwise stated, are copyright protected.