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Biggleswade (Hundred)Biggleswade is a region - or 'hundred' - in the English county of Bedfordshire. Biggleswade is comrised of the town of Biggleswade and its surrounding area. The name Biggleswade comes from a concatenation of the Anglo Saxon words 'Biceil' (being a personal name) and 'Waed' (meaning a ford). History Evidence suggests that the area which Biggleswade now occupies was inhabited as early as 10,000 BC. Coins dated to the 1st century BC have also been found, and traced back to the celtic chief Taseiovanus, who resided in what is now St Albans, Hertfordshire. During the 5th century AD Saxons named the river Ivel and built settlements which evolved into the present day villages of Northill and Southill, to the west of Biggleswade. The Doomsday Book records the manor of Biggleswade as being govered by Ralph de Insula, on behalf of the monarch. Later, in the 12th century, Henry I transferred custody of Biggleswade over to the Bishop of Lincoln. Successive bishops maintained significant influence until the mid 16th century, when Edward IV obtained direct control over the town and its surrounding area. In 1785 'the great fire' swept through the town of Biggleswade and destroyed many of its buildings. The subsequent rebuilding effort, along with other factors, encouraged more people to settle in the town, triggering a significant (80%) population growth during the first half of the 19th century. This culminated in 1850, when Biggleswade became the first town in Bedfordshire to gain a mainline train station. Physical geography The River Ivel runs along the northern and western boundaries of the town of Biggleswade. The surrounding area is generally flat and open, with the occasional small wooded area. There is some modestly higher ground to the west of the town. The hundred of Biggleswade is located to the south east of Bedford, and to the north of Letchworth. Social geography Today, Biggleswade is a largely open area containing both undeveloped and farming land. The town of Biggleswade is steadily growing market town with a strong market gardening presence and a growing light industrial sector. The town is smaller than some other towns and cities in the county (especially the cities of Bedford and Luton), but retains a valuable place in the county's history, and a quiet charm that makes it attractive to visitors. Recent statistics record Biggleswade and the surrounding area as having a population of about 10,500 people. Biggleswade is twinned with the German town of Erlensee. Transport links Biggleswade and the surrounding area is served by the A1 motorway, which runs along the west side of the town. It is also accessible via rail lines that connect it to Kings Cross station in London. Local amenities - Baptist Church, 24 London Road, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire (Union Baptist)
- Biggleswade Congregation, Shortmead Street, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire (Jehovah's Witnesses)
- Biggleswade Hospital, Elmside Potton Road, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire
- Biggleswade Recreation Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire
- Biggleswade Station, Station Road, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire
- Pentecostal Church, Crab Lane, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire (Pentecostal)
- St Andrew's Parish Church, Shortmead Street, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire (Church of England)
- St Peter's Church, Station Road, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire (Roman Catholic)
- Trinity Methodist Church, Shortmead Street, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire (Methodist)
Nearby towns - Arlesey
- Astwick
- Broom
- Blunham
- Campton
- Chicksands
- Clifton
- Cockayne
- Dunton
- Edworth
- Everton
- Eyeworth
- Henlow
- Langford
- Meppershall
- Mogerhanger
- Northill
- Old Warden
- Potton
- Sandy
- Hatley Shefford
- Southill
- Stondon
- Stotfold
- Sutton
- Tempsford
- Wrestlingworth
External links and sources - http://www.biggleswade.org/
- http://www.yourtotalevent.com/places/Bedfordshire/biggleswade%20history.htm
- http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/BDF/Biggleswade/
*http://www.btinternet.com/~awdansey/Biggleswade/churches/
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