Goldington
| Goldington | |
|---|---|
| Population | Expression error: "8,603 [1]" must be numeric |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BEDFORD |
| Postcode district | MK41 |
| Dialling code | 01234 |
| Police | Bedfordshire |
| Fire | Bedfordshire and Luton |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| UK Parliament | |
Goldington is an electoral ward and former village within the town of Bedford, Bedfordshire, England.
The boundaries of Goldington are (roughly) Norse Road and Cemetery to the north and east, Goldington Road to the south, with Church Lane and Haylands Way to the west. The Elms Farm and Viking areas, and the new Saxon Grange housing estate are all within Goldington.
History
Goldington was a village which grew up along the old A428 road between Bedford and Cambridge. St Mary's Church in Goldington has parish registers going back to 1559.
In August 1645 Major Walter Baskerville a Royalist cavalry Officer was killed in a skirmish in Goldington. Goldington Hall (a small mansion) was built in the 1650s. The Hall was rebuilt in 1874. [2]
In 1934 the parish of Goldington was merged with the expanding Bedford town. The area was greatly expanded to the north in the 1960s and 70s. These newer housing estates now make up more than half of Goldington's total area. After many years as a pub, the old Goldington Hall is now unnoccupied, semi-derelict, and was the scene of a small fire in 2008. [2]
The new Saxon Grange housing estate (which is currently being built in the north of Goldington) means that Bedford's urban limits have almost reached the village of Renhold.
Goldington Castle, a motte-and-bailey castle, built sometime after 1066 is not actually in Goldington. The castle is actually located in the neighboring area of Newnham.
Governance
Goldington is an unparished area, with all community services under the direct control of Bedford Borough Council. Goldington elects three councillors to Bedford Borough Council, all of which are currently Liberal Democrats.
Economy
There are two shopping parades in Goldington at which most shops and services are located -
The first is on Church Lane which includes a Co-op supermarket and post office, tool-hire shop, and a chinese takeaway. Since 2008 this entire area is in the process of being re-developed.
Goldington's second shopping hub is on Queens Drive which has another small convenience store, a post office, a chemist, a hairdressers, a butcher's shop, a laundrette, The Queens Head pub, a fish & chip shop, petrol station and GP Surgery.
There are still a few shops and pubs along the old village High Street (i.e. Goldington Road) including a small Londis supermarket and a Frankie & Benny's restaurant.
To the eastern side of Goldington is the Elms & Viking Industrial estate. This large business park (between Goldington Road and Norse Road) has housed many of Bedford's biggest employers, including Unipath, E.ON UK and NHS Direct. Bedford's cemetery and crematorium on Norse Road is just within the boundaries of Goldington.
Education
There are three state schools in Goldington - The Hills Lower School located on Stancliffe Road, Goldington Green Lower School situated on Goldington Road, and Goldington Middle School sited on Haylands Way. There is no upper school in the area. Goldington's 13 year olds fall into the different catchment areas for Mark Rutherford Upper School, Biddenham Upper School and John Bunyan Upper School. [3]
Religious sites
St Mary's (Church of England) Church is located on Church Lane. Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church is situated on Goldington Road. There is a Kingdom Hall for Jehova's Witnesses on Goodmayes Close.
Community facilities
Goldington Community Centre is also located on Church Lane. Goldington Green is the area's largest open space, and is situated on Church Lane and Goldington Road.
References
- ^ Neighbourhood Statistics
- ^ a b http://www.galaxy.bedfordshire.gov.uk/webingres/bedfordshire/vlib/0.digitised_resources/bedford_digitisation_timeline_goldington.htm 'Goldington Timeline'
- ^ http://bedfordshire.gov.uk/EducationAndLearning/SchoolAdmissions/SchoolCatchmentAreas.aspx 'Bedfordshire School Catchment Areas'
External links
- Goldington timeline
- Church Lane and Goldington Community Centre
- Goldington and Bedford Cemetery
- The Hills Lower School
- Goldington Green Lower School
- Goldington Middle School
- St Mary's Church
- Holy Cross Church
