Turvey Village
There has been a mill on the site of the present one since Domesday times (1086). There was also a water driven timber-mill below the present mill. The mill has now ceased to be used for manufacturing and has been turned into luxury apartments. A flood gauge can be seen on the wall of the Ye Three Fyshes pub recording a record flood. The area still floods but not to this extent
The fine church of All Saints has Saxon origins, restored in the 19th century by Sir Gilbert Scott. During the restorations, a wall painting of the crucifixion dating back to the 13th century was uncovered in the Lady Chapel. The church has monuments to members of the Mordaunt family, fine brasses and a peal of eight bells. In the church can be seen a list of all the rectors of Turvey since 1085. There is also a parish map showing the ancient enclosures with names and the network of footpaths.
The Mordaunt family received the manor of Turvey from William the Conqueror. By 1662 they possessed nearly all the land in the village. Turvey Old Hall, now the site of Hall Farm was the manor house. The Mordaunts supported the Roman Catholic faith and the heavy fines imposed on them eventually led to the break up of the estate. In 1786 the lands were sold, the manor of Turvey and the abbey lands were purchased by Mr Charles Higgins - later a part was sold to John Higgins a cousin who built Turvey House in 1794. The attractive village of Turvey owes much to the Higgins family who rebuilt the tumbledown thatched cottages in the style we see today.
Charles Higgins took up residence in Abbey Farm, now known as Turvey Abbey. This had not housed a religious order but took its name from the land owned by the Benedictine Abbey of Bec in Normandy. The Abbey curiously is now home to an order of Benedictine nuns, the converted outbuildings a monastery. So the religious connection has come full-circle. Visitors now come far and wide on retreats and religious gatherings. The nuns work on beautiful religious embroidery and vestments.
One of the oldest buildings in Turvey is the group of three cottages in the centre - one the Central Stores. This was a coaching inn called The Tinker of Turvey dating back to 1150. The Tinker of Turvey, Old Nell (his wife) and the dog are shown on the sign still surviving in Luton Museum. The building was altered in 1840 and recent changes have uncovered iron rings in the walls inside. Prisoners being taken to Bedford Jail were shackled to these while coach changes were made.
Turvey has a system of tunnels, one runs from the Abbey in a north-easterly direction. Another was discovered recently when the Victorian school was being converted. This ran along the back of the school towards Newton Lane. There is also reputed to be a tunnel from Turvey Old Hall to the church. Why they were built and where they all lead to is uncertain.
Lace was an important industry with lace schools and a centre for trading lace from the surrounding villages. The village supported two blacksmiths, carpenters, builders, stonemasons, bakers, saddlers etc. Today there are a few small industries and even fewer inhabitants employed on the remaining farms.
WARNING
Although lots of villages in North Beds have signs saying "Police Cameras" Turvey has two fixed speed cameras so take care and keep your speed down.
Although lots of villages in North Beds have signs saying "Police Cameras" Turvey has two fixed speed cameras so take care and keep your speed down.
Size = 120k
