Sir John Osbourne acquired a part of Campton churchyard and the
family chapel and underground vault was built in 1648. He was
the first of the family to be buried in Campton.
 Dorothy
Osbourn lived at the Priory during the 17th Century. She is noted
as
a writer for letters that she sent to her fiance William Temple after
they
were parted following the Civil War. Over 70 of the letters
survive
in the British Museum. ( A biography of
Dorothy and William entitled Read
my heart: a love story in the Age of Revolution by historian Jane Dunn is
available ISBN 978-0-00-718220-6)
In the early 19th century the River Flit was diverted to create a
waterfall
and to widen the river into a small lake at the Priory's south side.
In 1862 Sir George Robert Osbourne had three lodges built at the edge
of
the estate, three of these can be seen on A507. His initials GRO
with
the family crest and baronet's palm may be seen on plaques mounted on
the
lodges' walls. Campton was the home of many of his employees and
Sir
George Robert built many of the presently standing houses in the
village
. Some of these may identified by the same plaque.
The original Priory buildings have been altered over the years and in
1813 the architect
James Wyatt designed the entrance hall, staircase and porch in Gothic
style.
!n 1935 Chicksands Priory was put up for sale and was acquired by the
Crown.
It was first leased as a private residence to a succession of
short
term tenants. The Royal Navy were tenants for a short time until
the
Air Ministry began developing WRAF Chicksands as a secret signals
station.
In 1940 preparations for a fully functional
RAF Communications station were in its early stages and radio antennas
mounted
on 240 ft masts were planned. In September of that year, 10 high
explosive
bombs landed at Chicksands Farm and First Lodge Farm and later that
year
bombs came down 100 yards south of the Priory. During the war
many
USAF units were hosted in Bedfordshire and the surrounding counties,
and
in 1961 RAF operations were deactivated at Chicksands and a permanent USAF presence commenced.
 In the mid 60's married quarters,
and an elementary school were built south of the
river Flit. The great circular antenna (known as the Elephant's cage) was
also constructed.
In
1995 RAF Chicksands
was closed and the 'Elephant's cage' dismantled. In 1997 the estate was
reopened
as the British Intelligence Security Centre.
At present some of the ex-ministry houses are being sold to the public.
The Priory can be visited by appointment arranged by 'Friends
of Chicksands' Contact Julie Benson 01525 860497
Note: Legend and Lore of Chicksands Priory was initially written
by
three early Chicksands Americans and distributed by the Base Library.
Twenty
years later the book was rewritten by Roger Ward, adding much
new material and renamed Legend & Lore.
For a full History of Chicksands: Chicksands - A Millennium of
History by William C. Gregson ISBN 0-9633208-0-7
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