| The Parish of Campton and
Chicksands (which was formed in 1985) is situated approximately 9 miles southeast
of the town of Bedford, 13 miles from Junction 13 on the M1 and 7 miles
from Junction 10 on the A1.
The village of Campton is built
around the 13th century All Saints' Church and stands on a tributary of the
river Ivel. It has a number of old and interesting buildings including The
Manor house, built in 1591, and a 18th century Rectory. Robert Bloomfield (1766-1823), a
poet, renowned for his poem 'The Farmer's Boy' is buried in All Saints' churchyard.
Today, the village Consists of approximately 200 dwellings, a public house,
a lower school, a village hall and a recreation ground. It has a thriving
community with many clubs and societies.
Chicksands adjoins to the northern
edge of the village, and consists almost entirely of the wooded Chicksands
Priory estate. It was an American military base until 1995 then reopened
as the British Intelligence & Security Centre in 1997. The Priory (which
was granted the Gilbertine Order in 1150) can be visited by appointment arranged
by 'The Friends of
Chicksands'. Mid Beds Council Offices are situated at Chicksands along
with appoximately 100 ex-ministry houses which have been sold to the public
and are occupied privately .
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