Souldrop Village
The name Souldrop has been derived from various spellings from early times, one being Southdrope, as the land slopes away to the south of the village.
Some 70 odd dwellings make up the village, some dating back to the 16th century. One known as Lambs Cottage is of particular interest, part being built of wattle and daub. Old articles about the village mention a manor, but its exact site is not known, although thought to be somewhere between Church Farm and Middle Farm. The children are bused to Riseley or Sharnbrook, as the school has now become the village hall. This is run by a committee of local people. Dances, disco's, receptions and various other functions take place there.
The public house known as the Bedford Arms is a popular meeting place. The original building suffered a serious fire some years ago. That was partly built with wattle and daub and was replaced by a brick building, but many of the old features have been retained.
A 13th century bell tower is all that remains of the original church. The body of the church when built was made of wood and this was burnt down in the early 19th century. The then Duke of Bedford rebuilt the church as it stands today in about 1863/4. Mr Henry Newboult gave the money for the stone vaulted chancel.
In the 14th century a dispute arose over the living of the church. A disturbance started at the church gates and continued through the churchyard to the church. The rector and his followers locked themselves in the church, got up into the bell tower and pulled the ladder up behind them. The rivals tried to burn down the church door, but failed. A fight then began with bows and arrows, the rector's supporters having advantage from their position in the bell tower. One man was killed and his wife tried to bring an action against the rector, but there was no evidence as to who fired the fatal arrow.
The village pound was allowed to disappear to make way for some new houses, as was the beautiful waterwheel at the entrance to Church Farm, people fetched their water from this source for many years.
Building of the railway from London to the north took place during 1857/60, passing through part of the parish. A 'shanty town' of huts existed to house the men who worked on the building of the up-and-down lines. Two men were killed during these operations, and were buried in the churchyard. Their graves were marked with iron memorials.
There is no shop in Souldrop now, people must travel to Sharnbrook, Rushden or Bedford
The main street is a no-through road and very few new houses are built in the village, so it remains a quiet backwater, enjoyed by many people who care to take time to wander through and admire the architecture of the different types of buildings found there.
