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{{infobox UK place|
{{infobox UK place|
|country = England
|country = England
|static_image =
|static_image = Roxton, Millennium Green - geograph.org.uk - 2463658.jpg
|static_image_caption=
|static_image_caption= Millennium Green
|coordinates = {{coord|52.17624|-0.31070|display=inline,title}}
|coordinates = {{coord|52.176|-0.311|display=inline,title}}
|official_name = Roxton
|official_name = Roxton
|population = 348
|population = 348
Line 21: Line 21:
'''Roxton''' is a small village and [[civil parishes in England|civil parish]] in the [[Borough of Bedford]], [[Bedfordshire]], England about {{convert|7|mi|km|0}} north-east of the county town of [[Bedford]].
'''Roxton''' is a small village and [[civil parishes in England|civil parish]] in the [[Borough of Bedford]], [[Bedfordshire]], England about {{convert|7|mi|km|0}} north-east of the county town of [[Bedford]].


The 2011 census gives the population of Roxton as 348.<ref>{{cite web |title=Roxton Local Area Report |url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/localarea?compare=E34002508 |website=nomis |accessdate=31 October 2019}}</ref>
The 2011 census gives the population of Roxton as 348.<ref>{{NOMIS2011 |title=Roxton Built-up area |id=E34002508 |accessdate=31 October 2019}}</ref>
⚫
==Geography==


⚫
==History==
⚫
Roxton is {{convert|4|mi|km|0}} southwest of [[St Neots]], {{convert|18.5|mi|km|0}} west of [[Cambridge]] and {{convert|47|mi|km|0}} north of [[Central London]].
[[File:RoxtonBronzeAgeCremationUrn.JPG|thumb|left|Cremation urn found in Roxton]]
In the 1970s, a [[Bronze Age]] [[Round barrow#Britain|barrow cemetery]] in the form of five [[ring ditch]]es was excavated prior to gravel extraction. Two urned [[Secondary cremation|primary cremation]] burials were found. The site, near to the Ouse, is now a lake.<ref>{{cite web |last1=HER No.617 |title=RING DITCHES, North West of Roxton Lock |url=https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MBD617&resourceID=1014 |website=The Historic Environment Record for Bedfordshire |access-date=2 November 2019}}</ref>


Archaeological evidence of Romano-British occupation was found in trenches dug in 2007 east of the Black Cat roundabout.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ranson |first1=C. |title=Black Cat Roundabout, Roxton, Bedfordshire: An Archaeological Evaluation |url=https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/library/browse/issue.xhtml?recordId=1104403&recordType=GreyLitSeries |website=Archaeology Data Service |publisher=Cambridge Archaeological Unit |access-date=2 November 2019}}</ref>
'''Area'''


⚫
Roxton is mentioned in the [[Domesday Book]]. The entry reads: ''Rochesdone/stone: Rhiwallon from Hugh de Beauchamp; William Speke. Mill (260 eels).''
⚫
The civil parish covers an area of {{convert|294|ha|acre|0}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Roxton Parish Profile |url=https://bbcdevwebfiles.blob.core.windows.net/webfiles/Files/Roxton.pdf |website=Bedford Borough Council |accessdate=31 October 2019}}</ref>


The hamlets of [[Chawston]] and [[Colesden]] were part of Roxton civil parish until 1 April 2007, when they together with [[Wyboston]] (part of Roxton parish from 1965) separated to form a new civil parish.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Parish of Roxton in General |url=http://bedsarchives.bedford.gov.uk/CommunityArchives/Roxton/Introduction.aspx |website=Bedfordshire Archives and Records Service |date=22 June 2019 |access-date=2 November 2019}}</ref>
⚫
The River [[Great Ouse]] forms the parish's eastern and most of its southern boundary, and the [[A421]] road its western.


⚫
==Governance==
⚫
'''Landscape'''
⚫
Roxton Parish Council has seven elected members and meets bi-monthly in the parish hall.
⚫
Roxton is part of Wyboston ward for elections to the [[Borough of Bedford]] Unitary Authority.


⚫
Prior to 1894, Roxton was administered as part of the Barford Hundred.<ref>{{cite book |first1=William |last1 = Page |title=A History of the County of Bedford: Volume 3 |date=1912 |publisher=Victoria County History |location=London |page=180 |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/beds/vol3/p180 |access-date=2 November 2019}}</ref>
⚫
The village lies within the Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Claylands as designated by [[Natural England]].<ref>{{cite web |title=National Character Areas |url=http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/category/587130 |website=Natural England |accessdate=31 October 2019}}</ref> Bedford Borough Council classifies the local landscape as the Great Ouse Clay Valley. The surrounding area is mostly arable farmland. Roxton Park is an area of grassland dotted with mature trees. There are lakes formed from old sand and gravel pits in the southeast corner of the parish by the Ouse.
⚫
From 1894 until 1974 the village was in [[Bedford Rural District]] and since 1974 in Bedford Borough.


⚫
The village was in [[Bedford (UK Parliament constituency)|Bedford parliamentary constituency]] until 1997. It is now part of [[North East Bedfordshire (UK Parliament constituency)|North East Bedfordshire]].
'''Elevation'''

⚫
==Geography==
⚫
Roxton is {{convert|4|mi|km|0}} southwest of [[St Neots]], {{convert|18.5|mi|km|0}} west of [[Cambridge]] and {{convert|47|mi|km|0}} north of [[Central London]].

⚫
The civil parish covers an area of {{convert|294|ha|acre|0}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Roxton Parish Profile |url=https://bbcdevwebfiles.blob.core.windows.net/webfiles/Files/Roxton.pdf |website=Bedford Borough Council |access-date=31 October 2019}}</ref>

[[File:Roxton Lock - geograph.org.uk - 191394.jpg|thumb|Roxton Lock (canal)]]
⚫
The River [[Great Ouse]] forms the parish's eastern and most of its southern boundary, and the [[A421]] road its western.


The village centre is {{convert|25|m|ft|0}} above sea level. The whole parish is low lying and flat.
The village centre is {{convert|25|m|ft|0}} above sea level. The whole parish is low lying and flat.


⚫
===Landscape===
⚫
'''Geology and soil type'''
⚫
The village lies within the Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Claylands as designated by [[Natural England]].<ref>{{cite web |title=National Character Areas |url=http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/category/587130 |website=Natural England |access-date=31 October 2019}}</ref> Bedford Borough Council classifies the local landscape as the Great Ouse Clay Valley. The surrounding area is mostly arable farmland. Roxton Park is an area of grassland dotted with mature trees. There are lakes formed from old sand and gravel pits in the southeast corner of the parish by the Ouse. A sand and gravel quarry is being worked east of the [[Black Cat roundabout]] by [[Breedon Group|Breedon Aggregates]].


⚫
===Geology and soil type===
The village lies mainly on third terrace [[river gravel]]. [[Boulder clay]] is to the south and west, and first and second terrace river gravel to the east. [[Alluvium]] borders the Great Ouse. Underlying these [[superficial deposits]] is [[Oxford clay]] and [[Kellaways Formation|Kellaways beds]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Sheet 204. Geological Survey of England & Wales |url=http://www.largeimages.bgs.ac.uk/iip/mapsportal.html?id=1003300 |website=British Geological Survey |accessdate=31 October 2019}}</ref>
The village lies mainly on third terrace [[river gravel]]. [[Boulder clay]] is to the south and west, and first and second terrace river gravel to the east. [[Alluvium]] borders the Great Ouse. Underlying these [[superficial deposits]] is [[Oxford clay]] and [[Kellaways Formation|Kellaways beds]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Sheet 204. Geological Survey of England & Wales |url=http://www.largeimages.bgs.ac.uk/iip/mapsportal.html?id=1003300 |website=British Geological Survey |access-date=31 October 2019}}</ref>


Around the village the soil has low fertility, is freely draining and slightly acid with a [[loam|loamy]] texture. The southwestern part of the parish has highly fertile, lime-rich loamy and clayey soils with impeded drainage. By the Great Ouse are loamy and clayey [[floodplain]] soils with naturally high groundwater.<ref>{{cite web |title=Soilscapes Viewer |url=http://www.landis.org.uk/soilscapes/index.cfm |website=LandIS - Land Information System |publisher=Cranfield University |accessdate=31 October 2019}}</ref>
Around the village the soil has low fertility, is freely draining and slightly acid with a [[loam]]y texture. The southwestern part of the parish has highly fertile, lime-rich loamy and clayey soils with impeded drainage. By the Great Ouse are loamy and clayey [[floodplain]] soils with naturally high groundwater.<ref>{{cite web |title=Soilscapes Viewer |url=http://www.landis.org.uk/soilscapes/index.cfm |website=LandIS - Land Information System |publisher=Cranfield University |access-date=31 October 2019}}</ref>


'''The night sky and light pollution'''
===Light pollution===


[[Light pollution]] is the level of radiance (night lights) shining up into the night sky. The [[Campaign to Protect Rural England]] (CPRE) divides the level of night sky brightness into 9 bands with band 1 being the darkest i.e. with the lowest level of light pollution and band 9 the brightest and most polluted. Roxton in band 5 and 6 is adversely affected by lighting along the A1/A421 [[Black Cat Roundabout]]. The night sky is darker looking northwest.<ref>{{cite web |title=Night Blight 2016: Mapping England's Light Pollution and Dark Skies |url=https://www.cpre.org.uk/resources/countryside/dark-skies/item/4311-night-blight-2016-mapping-england-s-light-pollution-and-dark-skies |website=Campaign to Protect Rural England |publisher=CPRE |accessdate=31 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Map |url=https://www.nightblight.cpre.org.uk/maps/ |website=nightblight |publisher=Campaign for the Protection of Rural England |accessdate=31 October 2019}}</ref>
[[Light pollution]] is the level of radiance (night lights) shining up into the night sky. The [[Campaign to Protect Rural England]] (CPRE) divides the level of night sky brightness into 9 bands with band 1 being the darkest i.e. with the lowest level of light pollution and band 9 the brightest and most polluted. Roxton in band 5 and 6 is adversely affected by lighting along the A1/A421 Black Cat roundabout. The night sky is darker looking northwest.<ref>{{cite web |title=Night Blight 2016: Mapping England's Light Pollution and Dark Skies |url=https://www.cpre.org.uk/resources/countryside/dark-skies/item/4311-night-blight-2016-mapping-england-s-light-pollution-and-dark-skies |website=Campaign to Protect Rural England |publisher=CPRE |access-date=31 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Map |url=https://www.nightblight.cpre.org.uk/maps/ |website=nightblight |publisher=Campaign for the Protection of Rural England |access-date=31 October 2019}}</ref>


'''A1 road bridges'''
===A1 road bridges===


The A1 northbound carriageway is carried over the Ouse by a sandstone bridge built in October 1820. Listing particulars state the bridge to be about {{convert|50|m|ft|0}} long and {{convert|10|m|ft|0}} wide. There are three broad, low arches built with blocks of Bramley Fall stone from a quarry near Leeds. A rounded towpath archway passes through the east abutment. A sandstone parapet rests on a projecting stone string course. Except where replaced by concrete, Bramley Fall stone copings run the length of the bridge. Inscriptions of masons can be seen on the inside face of the copings over the crown of the centre arch. Flood bridges to the east and west have seven smaller and lower segmental brick arches.<ref name="Bridge">{{cite book |last1=Angela Simco & Peter McKeague |title=Bridges of Bedfordshire |date=1997 |publisher=Bedfordshire County Council, Bedfordshire Archaeological Council, Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England |isbn=0 9531531 0 X |pages=21-26 |url=http://www.archaeologyuk.org/cbasm/index_htm_files/MONOGRAPH%2002.PDF |accessdate=16 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1321633|desc=TEMPSFORD BRIDGE AND FLANKING FLOOD BRIDGES|grade=II|access-date=16 October 2019}}</ref> A separate bridge was built for the southbound carriageway when the road was dualled in the early 1960s.
The A1 northbound carriageway is carried over the Ouse by a sandstone bridge built in October 1820. Listing particulars state the bridge to be about {{convert|50|m|ft|0}} long and {{convert|10|m|ft|0}} wide. There are three broad, low arches built with blocks of [[Bramley Fall stone]] from a quarry near Leeds. A rounded towpath archway passes through the east abutment. A sandstone parapet rests on a projecting stone string course. Except where replaced by concrete, Bramley Fall stone copings run the length of the bridge. Inscriptions of masons can be seen on the inside face of the copings over the crown of the centre arch. Flood bridges to the east and west have seven smaller and lower segmental brick arches.<ref name="Bridge">{{cite book |last1=Angela Simco & Peter McKeague |title=Bridges of Bedfordshire |date=1997 |publisher=Bedfordshire County Council, Bedfordshire Archaeological Council, Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England |isbn=0-9531531-0-X |pages=21–26 |url=http://www.archaeologyuk.org/cbasm/index_htm_files/MONOGRAPH%2002.PDF |access-date=16 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1321633|desc=TEMPSFORD BRIDGE AND FLANKING FLOOD BRIDGES|grade=II|access-date=16 October 2019}}</ref> A separate bridge was built for the southbound carriageway when the road was dualled in the early 1960s.


'''Public footpaths'''
===Public footpaths===


The [[Ouse Valley Way]] pases through the village and runs alongside the Ouse to the south and east.
The [[Ouse Valley Way]] passes through the village and runs alongside the Ouse to the south and east.


{{Adjacent communities
{{Adjacent communities
Line 65: Line 79:
| S = [[Blunham]]
| S = [[Blunham]]
}}
}}

⚫
==History==
⚫
Roxton is mentioned in the [[Domesday Book]]. The entry reads: ''Rochesdone/stone: Rhiwallon from Hugh de Beauchamp; William Speke. Mill (260 eels).''

The village has two [[Church (building)|church]]es,

The parish used to include [[Wyboston, Chawston and Colesden]], but in May 2007 they became independent of Roxton.

⚫
==Governance==
⚫
Roxton Parish Council has seven elected members and meets bi-monthly in the parish hall.
⚫
Roxton is part of Wyboston ward for elections to the [[Borough of Bedford]] Unitary Authority.

⚫
Prior to 1894, Roxton was administered as part of the Barford Hundred.<ref>{{cite book |last1=ed, William Page |title=A History of the County of Bedford: Volume 3 |date=1912 |publisher=Victoria County History |location=London |page=180 |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/beds/vol3/p180 |accessdate=2 November 2019}}</ref>
⚫
From 1894 until 1974 the village was in [[Bedford Rural District]] and since 1974 in Bedford Borough.

⚫
The village was in [[Bedford (UK Parliament constituency)|Bedford parliamentary constituency]] until 1997. Now in [[North East Bedfordshire (UK Parliament constituency)|North East Bedfordshire]], the elected member is [[Alistair Burt]] of the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]].


==Village facilities==
==Village facilities==
The ''Royal Oak'' public house has been licenced since at least 1819.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Royal Oak Public House, Roxton |url=http://bedsarchives.bedford.gov.uk/CommunityArchives/Roxton/TheRoyalOakPublicHouseRoxton.aspx |website=Bedfordshire Archives & Records Service |accessdate=1 November 2019}}</ref>
The ''Royal Oak'' public house has been licensed since at least 1819.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Royal Oak Public House, Roxton |url=http://bedsarchives.bedford.gov.uk/CommunityArchives/Roxton/TheRoyalOakPublicHouseRoxton.aspx |website=Bedfordshire Archives & Records Service |date=22 June 2019 |access-date=1 November 2019}}</ref>
A post office is in a courtyard to the rear.
A post office is in a courtyard to the rear.


Line 91: Line 89:


==Public transport==
==Public transport==
Roxton is served by the regional [[Stagecoach X5]] bus route; east to St Neots and Cambridge and west to Bedford, [[Milton Keynes]] and [[Oxford]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Roxton |url=https://bustimes.org/localities/roxton |website=Bus Times |accessdate=1 November 2019}}</ref>
Roxton is served by the regional [[Stagecoach X5]] bus route; east to St Neots and Cambridge and west to Bedford, [[Milton Keynes]] and [[Oxford]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Roxton |url=https://bustimes.org/localities/roxton |website=Bus Times |access-date=1 November 2019}}</ref>


The nearest railway stations are [[Sandy railway station|Sandy]] and [[St Neots railway station|St Neots]].
The nearest railway stations are [[Sandy railway station|Sandy]] and [[St Neots railway station|St Neots]].

==Church and chapel==
[[File:Roxton church from the south east - geograph.org.uk - 2462139.jpg|thumb|Church of St Mary Magdalene]]
The [[Listed building#Categories of listed building|Grade II* listed]] '''Parish Church of St Mary Magdalene''' dates from the 14th century and is built of rich brown cobblestones with ashlar dressings and slate roofs. The 15th century western tower is single–stage with northeast and southwest buttresses to an embattled parapet. There is a ring of five bells; the oldest are dated 1591 and 1607.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1114927|desc=PARISH CHURCH OF SAINT MARY MAGDALEN|grade=II*|access-date=2 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Roxton Church Alterations and Additions |url=http://bedsarchives.bedford.gov.uk/CommunityArchives/Roxton/RoxtonChurchAlterationsAnd%20Additions.aspx |website=Bedfordshire Archives & Records Service |access-date=2 November 2019}}</ref>

The church is in the Biggleswade Deanery and the [[Diocese of St Albans]]. Along with the ecclesiastical parishes of Blunham, Great Barford and Tempsford with Little Barford, Roxton is part of the ''Riversmeet [[Benefice#Current usage|Benefice]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome to St Mary Magdalene Roxton |url=https://www.riversmeetbenefice.co.uk/ |website=Riversmeet Benefice |access-date=2 November 2019}}</ref>
[[File:Roxton Congregational Chapel Geograph-2583860-by-Dennis-simpson.jpg|thumb|Roxton Congregational Chapel]]
The '''Roxton Congregational Chapel''', also Grade II* listed, originates from 1808, when meetings were held in a barn. The chapel was formerly established in 1822 and the barn converted into a thatched [[Cottage orné]] style chapel. In the 1830s two wings were added; one for the vestry and the other for the village school and Sunday School.<ref>{{cite web |title=Congregationalism in Roxton |url=http://bedsarchives.bedford.gov.uk/CommunityArchives/Roxton/CongregationalismInRoxton.aspx |website=Bedfordshire Archives & Records Service |date=22 June 2019 |access-date=2 November 2019}}</ref>

The chapel is an independent Christian church affiliated to the [[Congregational Federation]]. The Church had a [[pastor]] until at least 1947 but nowadays external preachers come from a variety of denominations. Administration of the church is by three, annually elected, voluntary [[deacon]]s. Decision–making is by Church members through the Church meeting.<ref>{{cite web |title=About us |url=http://roxtonchapel.btck.co.uk/About%20us |website=Roxton Congregational Chapel |access-date=2 November 2019}}</ref>


==Community events==
==Community events==
Line 99: Line 107:


==Notable people==
==Notable people==
* [[Wayne Larkins]], a former Northamptonshire and England cricketer
* [[Wayne Larkins]], a former Northamptonshire and England cricketer was born in Roxton.


==References==
==References==
Line 105: Line 113:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category inline|Roxton, Bedfordshire}}
{{Commons category-inline|Roxton, Bedfordshire}}
* [http://roxtonparishcouncil.bedsparishes.gov.uk/ Roxton Parish Council]
* [http://roxtonparishcouncil.bedsparishes.gov.uk/ Roxton Parish Council]
* [http://www.charleswells.co.uk/home/pub-guide/pub/royal-oak-roxton Royal Oak Pub, Roxton]
* [http://www.roxtongardencentre.co.uk/ Roxton Garden Centre]
* [http://www.roxton.beds.sch.uk/ Roxton V.A. Church of England Lower School]


{{Places in Bedford Borough}}
{{Places in Bedford Borough}}

{{authority control}}


[[Category:Villages in Bedfordshire]]
[[Category:Villages in Bedfordshire]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in Bedfordshire]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in Bedfordshire]]
[[Category:Borough of Bedford]]
[[Category:Borough of Bedford]]


{{Bedfordshire-geo-stub}}

Latest revision as of 09:00, 7 December 2024

Roxton
Millennium Green
Roxton is located in Bedfordshire
Roxton
Roxton
Location within Bedfordshire
Population348 (2011 Census)
OS grid referenceTL154995
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townBEDFORD
Postcode districtMK44
Dialling code01234
PoliceBedfordshire
FireBedfordshire and Luton
AmbulanceEast of England
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Bedfordshire
52°10′34″N 0°18′40″W / 52.176°N 0.311°W / 52.176; -0.311

Roxton is a small village and civil parish in the Borough of Bedford, Bedfordshire, England about 7 miles (11 km) north-east of the county town of Bedford.

The 2011 census gives the population of Roxton as 348.[1]

History

[edit]
Cremation urn found in Roxton

In the 1970s, a Bronze Age barrow cemetery in the form of five ring ditches was excavated prior to gravel extraction. Two urned primary cremation burials were found. The site, near to the Ouse, is now a lake.[2]

Archaeological evidence of Romano-British occupation was found in trenches dug in 2007 east of the Black Cat roundabout.[3]

Roxton is mentioned in the Domesday Book. The entry reads: Rochesdone/stone: Rhiwallon from Hugh de Beauchamp; William Speke. Mill (260 eels).

The hamlets of Chawston and Colesden were part of Roxton civil parish until 1 April 2007, when they together with Wyboston (part of Roxton parish from 1965) separated to form a new civil parish.[4]

Governance

[edit]

Roxton Parish Council has seven elected members and meets bi-monthly in the parish hall. Roxton is part of Wyboston ward for elections to the Borough of Bedford Unitary Authority.

Prior to 1894, Roxton was administered as part of the Barford Hundred.[5] From 1894 until 1974 the village was in Bedford Rural District and since 1974 in Bedford Borough.

The village was in Bedford parliamentary constituency until 1997. It is now part of North East Bedfordshire.

Geography

[edit]

Roxton is 4 miles (6 km) southwest of St Neots, 18.5 miles (30 km) west of Cambridge and 47 miles (76 km) north of Central London.

The civil parish covers an area of 294 hectares (726 acres).[6]

Roxton Lock (canal)

The River Great Ouse forms the parish's eastern and most of its southern boundary, and the A421 road its western.

The village centre is 25 metres (82 ft) above sea level. The whole parish is low lying and flat.

Landscape

[edit]

The village lies within the Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Claylands as designated by Natural England.[7] Bedford Borough Council classifies the local landscape as the Great Ouse Clay Valley. The surrounding area is mostly arable farmland. Roxton Park is an area of grassland dotted with mature trees. There are lakes formed from old sand and gravel pits in the southeast corner of the parish by the Ouse. A sand and gravel quarry is being worked east of the Black Cat roundabout by Breedon Aggregates.

Geology and soil type

[edit]

The village lies mainly on third terrace river gravel. Boulder clay is to the south and west, and first and second terrace river gravel to the east. Alluvium borders the Great Ouse. Underlying these superficial deposits is Oxford clay and Kellaways beds.[8]

Around the village the soil has low fertility, is freely draining and slightly acid with a loamy texture. The southwestern part of the parish has highly fertile, lime-rich loamy and clayey soils with impeded drainage. By the Great Ouse are loamy and clayey floodplain soils with naturally high groundwater.[9]

Light pollution

[edit]

Light pollution is the level of radiance (night lights) shining up into the night sky. The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) divides the level of night sky brightness into 9 bands with band 1 being the darkest i.e. with the lowest level of light pollution and band 9 the brightest and most polluted. Roxton in band 5 and 6 is adversely affected by lighting along the A1/A421 Black Cat roundabout. The night sky is darker looking northwest.[10][11]

A1 road bridges

[edit]

The A1 northbound carriageway is carried over the Ouse by a sandstone bridge built in October 1820. Listing particulars state the bridge to be about 50 metres (164 ft) long and 10 metres (33 ft) wide. There are three broad, low arches built with blocks of Bramley Fall stone from a quarry near Leeds. A rounded towpath archway passes through the east abutment. A sandstone parapet rests on a projecting stone string course. Except where replaced by concrete, Bramley Fall stone copings run the length of the bridge. Inscriptions of masons can be seen on the inside face of the copings over the crown of the centre arch. Flood bridges to the east and west have seven smaller and lower segmental brick arches.[12][13] A separate bridge was built for the southbound carriageway when the road was dualled in the early 1960s.

Public footpaths

[edit]

The Ouse Valley Way passes through the village and runs alongside the Ouse to the south and east.

Village facilities

[edit]

The Royal Oak public house has been licensed since at least 1819.[14] A post office is in a courtyard to the rear.

Roxton CE Academy caters for up to 90 girls and boys aged from 3 to 11 years and is governed locally under the auspices of The Diocese of St Albans Multi-Academy Trust. The school buildings date from 1963.

Roxton Garden Centre on Bedford Road includes a restaurant and maze.

Public transport

[edit]

Roxton is served by the regional Stagecoach X5 bus route; east to St Neots and Cambridge and west to Bedford, Milton Keynes and Oxford.[15]

The nearest railway stations are Sandy and St Neots.

Church and chapel

[edit]
Church of St Mary Magdalene

The Grade II* listed Parish Church of St Mary Magdalene dates from the 14th century and is built of rich brown cobblestones with ashlar dressings and slate roofs. The 15th century western tower is single–stage with northeast and southwest buttresses to an embattled parapet. There is a ring of five bells; the oldest are dated 1591 and 1607.[16][17]

The church is in the Biggleswade Deanery and the Diocese of St Albans. Along with the ecclesiastical parishes of Blunham, Great Barford and Tempsford with Little Barford, Roxton is part of the Riversmeet Benefice.[18]

Roxton Congregational Chapel

The Roxton Congregational Chapel, also Grade II* listed, originates from 1808, when meetings were held in a barn. The chapel was formerly established in 1822 and the barn converted into a thatched Cottage orné style chapel. In the 1830s two wings were added; one for the vestry and the other for the village school and Sunday School.[19]

The chapel is an independent Christian church affiliated to the Congregational Federation. The Church had a pastor until at least 1947 but nowadays external preachers come from a variety of denominations. Administration of the church is by three, annually elected, voluntary deacons. Decision–making is by Church members through the Church meeting.[20]

Community events

[edit]

Roxton Flower Show is held annually in August. According to the Parish Council website the 2019 show was the 65th such event.

Notable people

[edit]
  • Wayne Larkins, a former Northamptonshire and England cricketer was born in Roxton.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ UK Census (2011). "Local Area Report – Roxton Built-up area (E34002508)". Nomis. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  2. ^ HER No.617. "RING DITCHES, North West of Roxton Lock". The Historic Environment Record for Bedfordshire. Retrieved 2 November 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Ranson, C. "Black Cat Roundabout, Roxton, Bedfordshire: An Archaeological Evaluation". Archaeology Data Service. Cambridge Archaeological Unit. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  4. ^ "The Parish of Roxton in General". Bedfordshire Archives and Records Service. 22 June 2019. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  5. ^ Page, William (1912). A History of the County of Bedford: Volume 3. London: Victoria County History. p. 180. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  6. ^ "Roxton Parish Profile" (PDF). Bedford Borough Council. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  7. ^ "National Character Areas". Natural England. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  8. ^ "Sheet 204. Geological Survey of England & Wales". British Geological Survey. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  9. ^ "Soilscapes Viewer". LandIS - Land Information System. Cranfield University. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  10. ^ "Night Blight 2016: Mapping England's Light Pollution and Dark Skies". Campaign to Protect Rural England. CPRE. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  11. ^ "Map". nightblight. Campaign for the Protection of Rural England. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  12. ^ Angela Simco & Peter McKeague (1997). Bridges of Bedfordshire (PDF). Bedfordshire County Council, Bedfordshire Archaeological Council, Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England. pp. 21–26. ISBN 0-9531531-0-X. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  13. ^ Historic England. "TEMPSFORD BRIDGE AND FLANKING FLOOD BRIDGES (Grade II) (1321633)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  14. ^ "The Royal Oak Public House, Roxton". Bedfordshire Archives & Records Service. 22 June 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  15. ^ "Roxton". Bus Times. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  16. ^ Historic England. "PARISH CHURCH OF SAINT MARY MAGDALEN (Grade II*) (1114927)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  17. ^ "Roxton Church Alterations and Additions". Bedfordshire Archives & Records Service. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  18. ^ "Welcome to St Mary Magdalene Roxton". Riversmeet Benefice. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  19. ^ "Congregationalism in Roxton". Bedfordshire Archives & Records Service. 22 June 2019. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  20. ^ "About us". Roxton Congregational Chapel. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
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