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News

NEW BOOK: HOW ONE MAN TRANSFORMED A TOWN:
WINSLOW 1640–1770 AND WILLIAM LOWNDES

Why does Winslow Hall dwarf the rest of the town? Why is there a vast open space in front of it? Why has Winslow got so many houses with a mixture of architectural styles from different centuries? Why are all the farmhouses hidden away in the fields?

This book tries to answer those questions, starting with Winslow in the 1640s when it was a town of small-scale farmers and craftsmen and had two visits from Oliver Cromwell. William Lowndes went off to London in 1667 and soon made enough money to start buying up land in Winslow and knocking down houses. He turned the town into a place where one family owned most of the land, and built a mansion in a style Winslow people had never seen. Meanwhile the Baptists became very influential for a time and built their own meeting house. Lowndes family money helped to create a town full of doctors and lawyers who modernised their houses, and the market and turnpike road provided business for inns and shops. The open fields were enclosed and farmers moved out into newly built farmhouses.

The book’s 386 pages also include ten detailed studies of Winslow families and 28 photos and maps. It is available from the Bucks Archaeological Society (https://bas1.org.uk/) for £11 + £3.50 p&p. If you’re in Winslow you can get it for £11 direct from David Noy (16 McLernon Way, tel.711683, d.noy@btinternet.com).

The Bucks Family History Society has published a transcription of the Winslow parish registers 1560-1901 on CD-ROM: click here to order

A transcription of the Winslow Congregational registers, with lists of members and abstracts of some minutes, is now available from the Eureka Partnership.

Winslow books for sale:

David Noy, Winslow in 1556: The Survey of the Manor (Bucks Archaeological Society, 2013): £5
David Noy, Winslow Manor Court Books 1327-1377 and 1423-1460 (2 vols, Bucks Record Society, 2011): £50
Alan Wigley, A Window on Winslow (Winslow, 1981): £5 - this contains many historical photos of Winslow

Please contact d.noy@btinternet.com for more information.

Additions to website

29 Nov 2021	Disappearance of the Relieving Officer, 1896 Liberal meeting in the Centenary Hall
25 Nov	Parish Council: additional report of Feb 1896 meeting (about the Parochial Committee) Winslow RDC: report on Winslow highways, 1896 The George: annual dinner of the Winslow Constutitional Association, i.e. the Conservatives Choirboys' strike: like all Victorian employers, the church reacted by sacking the ringleaders, not addressing the grievances Church: departure of Rev. P.H. Eliot, 1896
24 Nov	Redfield: death of H.R. Lambton, 1896 Church Houses: death of Charles Wilford the postmaster, 1896 Celebration at The Plough of building "Mr Illing's new stables" Rose & Crown: a fight in 1896 ended up in the magistrates' court Sale of 12 cottages belonging to the estate of Richard Willmore (1896) Vestry, 1895: church and charity finances Winslow RDC: inquiry into the disposal of refuse in Winslow, 1895 (with vivid descriptions of conditions) Board of Guardians: minutes for Nov-Dec 1838
22 Nov	Board of Guardians: minutes for June 1838
18 Nov	Board of Guardians: minutes for March 1838
31 Oct	Congregational Church: celebration of John Elley's 80th birthday, 1895 The Bank: departure of Mr Freegard the manager Workhouse: letter from the master Cyrus Evans outlining the current position and protesting against possible closure General election, 1895: a high poll in Winslow but little recorded activity
22 Oct	Bucks County Council election, 1895: another narrow Conservative win Baptist Tabernacle: meeting of the Women's Liberal Association (all but one of the speakers were men) Charities: letter to the Buckingham Advertiser complaining about their administration
21 Oct	Railway: building the Iron Bridge and planned upgrading of Winslow Road Station (1895) Buckingham Road: opening of the Town Mill powered by "paraffin-gas" at no.34; photo also added Market Square: negotiations about Winslow RDC taking over the rights of the lord of the manor Additions from 1895 to Grace's School, Football, Freemasons, Oddfellows, The George, Avenue Road, George D. Day
19 Oct	Charities: Some temporary job creation to help the unemployed in 1895 Cricket club AGM 1895: they no longer got their ground (where the Arboretum is now) rent-free Old Crown: reported as derelict and uninhabitable (after which it closed as a pub) Additions from 1895 to Congregational Church, Workhouse, Gymnasium, Grace's School,Rose & Crown
14 Oct	Rev. John Rawbone's reply to a printed list of questions sent by the Bishop of London, 1766
1 Oct	Wills of Dinah and Sarah Delafield of Bradwell, spinsters, 1775: buried at Keach's Meeting House
19-20 Sep	New page: The Stag Inn (166 High Street) Rifle Volunteer Corps: report of the foundation of the Winslow sub-division in 1860 Western House: valuation of contents in 1899 with a full list of rooms and horses Church inventory, 1552
16-17 Sep	Golden Lion: valuation of fixtures in 1898 when it was acquired by Phipps & Co. World War One: image of postcard sent in 1905 by Amos Walker, one of the casualties Station Road: information about the Creamery and photo of one of its churn labels
13 Sep	Will of Dame Mary Busby of Addington, 1712 (proved 1714/15) Sir John Busby's memoranda book, 1676: JP and business activities concerning Winslow
9 Sep	Will of Elizabeth Dunkley, widow, 1893 (proved 1895) Will of Herbert Alfred Hurlstone, ironmonger, 1894
4 Sep	Will of Joan Tomlyn, widow, 1592 (proved 1593) Will of John Hogson, 1598 Will of Thomas Stonhill, yeoman, 1631 Will of George Elliott of Shipton, 1631 Will of James King, surveyor, 1877 (proved 1894): two bankruptcies didn't stop him being vice-chairman of the Board of Guardians
31 Aug	The first Parish Council election and the Buckingham Advertiser's thoughts on the Liberals' disappointment Additions from 1894 to The Boot, 15 Market Square and 27 Market Square
30 Aug	Will of Robert Busby of Addington, 1648/9 (proved 1655): his will shows some effects of the Civil Wars Will of Elizabeth Busby of Addington, spinster, 1661 Redfield: Winslow v Redfield cricket match, 1894 (Redfield won) Workhouse: retirement of Mr Minter the Master for 44 years, and discussion about closure Politics in 1894 including the formation of a Women's Liberal Association Avenue Road: sale of three newly-built cottages Clear family: adverts mentioning A.J. Clear's Library Bell Hotel: Social Club, a very exclusive group in 1894 Vestry, 1894: arguments over the sexton's pay and the use of the harmonium Volunteer Corps, founded 1860
29 Aug	Sewage question: the Board of Guardians was threatened with legal action for allowing sewage to enter a watercourse Gymnasium: athletics display and concert, 1894 Congregational Church: Tennis club and Nonconformist cricket club Church: anecdote about the first harmonium Station Inn: you could see a dentist on Saturday evenings, thanks to the train from Buckingham Red Hall Farm: sale of growing crops, 1894 Winslow High School: Mr Warne handed over to Mr F.R. Kitto from Carlisle Technical education: public meeting (1894); Mr Neal thought the money would be better spent in reducing the taxation on land Bankruptcy of Harry Ingram, 1894
27 Aug	Obituary for John Corkett (1894) with a lament for the effects of the parcel post on the trade of shops Winslow Hall: sale of contents (1894) on the departure of Mr Chinnery George King: sale of contents of 2A High Street after his death Oddfellows: 133 members in 1894 Shipton: demolition of "a fine old cottage" The Bell: the magistrates upheld a local custom of letting a hedge-cutter keep a "fagot" of wood each day
24 Aug	Mr Twining (4 High Street): you could go to him in 1849 to see a dentist or to buy port
21 Aug	Baptists: accounts of Benjamin Keach and the foundation of the Baptist Tabernacle
19 Aug	Will of Sir John Busby of Addington, 1684 (proved 1700/1)
17 Aug	World War One: photo of Harry Foskett added
13 Aug	Will of George Dunkley, insurance agent, 1867 (proved 1893): lived at 14 Church Street Will of John Gordon, traveller, 1893: he had the first Roman Catholic funeral in Winslow for over 300 years Will of Charles Keys, farmer and beer retailer, 1882 (proved 1892): landlord of The Stag List of shops with Christmas decorations, 1891: in effect a directory of the town
10 Aug	Vestry, 1893: the main issue was drainage, and a scheme for new sewers was drawn up, but by the end of the year nothing had been done High School: prize day in 1893
8 Aug	Oddfellows' fete, 1893 Workhouse: a proposal to send 50 paupers from Chelsea to Winslow More about the theatrical career of Sylvanus Dauncey (W.J. Jones) Will of Dr Thomas Busby of Addington, 1712/13 (proved 1725)
7 Aug	Railway: meeting to protest against increased charges, 1893 Election for the Board of Guardians: unsuccessful attempt to oust James East the Liberal Baptist Tabernacle: the Centenary Hall was the venue for a protest meeting about the Irish Home Rule Bill
5 Aug	Fire insurance 1792 for John & William Goodman (covering pubs in nearby villages) Market Square: trouble with the well in 1893 Activities in 1893 at The Bell, The George, Reading Room,
4 Aug	27 Market Square: sale in 1893 after death of Grant King the owner Winslow Town F.C.: 1893 AGM, 9-a-side competition, and results Silver wedding celebrations for T.P. and Sarah Willis Activities in 1893 at the Rose & Crown, Nag's Head, Brook Hall and by the Technical Education Committee
2 Aug	Fire insurance 1791-92 for 5 Vicarage Road, Arundel House, Redfield, various properties of Robert Gibbs, The Bank, Greyhound, Rose & Crown, property of William Blake, Blake House, The Bull
30 July	Winslow Parochial Schools: In 1890 the Charity Commissioners imposed new regulations which put the schools firmly under Anglican control
21 July	Fire insurance 1789 for 5 Horn Street and the Old George.
19 July	Vestry 1892: arguments about highways, lighting and the fire brigade 5 Horn Street: Winslow's first recorded lawn tennis tournament The Bank: celebration of the opening and detailed description Bucks County Council election, 1892: a Liberal split and a Conservative win General election, 1892: better news for the Liberals
18 July	Lectures: you could study Shakespeare, chemistry, drawing and agriculture at evening classes in 1892 Oddfellows' Fete including a procession around the town Girls' Friendly Society: service in the church and garden party at Redfield Proposed new railway: Winslow wanted the Grand Central Railway (now part of the HS2 route) to go via Verney Junction Provident Society: death of the secretary James Spooner (1892) Workhouse: treatment of vagrants in 1892
17 July	Football: 1892 AGM and results Opening of the Gymnasium (later the Public Hall) Congregational church, 1892: cricket v the Baptists, football v Royal Latin School 27 High Street: Mrs Jones in trouble for not having a licence to keep a servant Jones family: death of Silvanus' youngest son Davy, a professional musician Death of Harriet, widow of T.B. Saving
16 July	Brook Hall: fire insurance policy in 1787, showing how the new owner James Burnham had gentrified it The Bank: William Turner's insurance policy, 1788, showing the nature of the property before it was "Georgianised" Redfield: insurance of Dudslow Farm by Thomas Read, 1788 Winslow Hall: advert for a footman, 1892 Western House: an extra storey added for Mr & Mrs Greaves
13 July	Inventory of Thomas Fyge, 1705: a wealthy London apothecary descended from a Winslow family
5 July	Jones family: William Jones became secretary to Beerbohm Tree in 1891 and wrote another play under the name Silvanus Dauncey His friend George D. Day also put on a new one-act play 1891 Vestry: arguments about who was responsible for pavements and the Market Square Technical education: a vote by every household showed that the most popular subject was agriculture and allotments. Drawing and agriculture classes were also available at the High School. Reading Room: activities of the Parish Club in 1891 Workhouse: proposal to send paupers from Edmonton to Winslow The Swan: proposed alterations Cattle market: boys were working at the market instead of going to school in 1891
1 July	Board of Guardians: minutes Dec 1837 University Extension Lectures (started 1890) and an essay written for the course on European statesmen Winslow Town F.C.: foundation in 1891 and results of their first matches 1891 North Bucks by-election: another Liberal win
29 June	Congregational Church: Mutual Improvement Society, 1891 Station: serious accident involving milk for the Creamery The Bell: a course on butter-making backed by the British Dairy Institute, 1891 Church: a dig at the vicar by the churchwardens Misfortunes of Thomas Simons, formerly of 14 Market Square
28 June	Board of Guardians: minutes Oct-Nov 1837 Schools Committee: in 1891 the committee was completely taken over by Anglicans The George: Quadrille party ball until 4 a.m. The Boot: landlady taken to Stone Asylum, 1891 Baptists: departure of Rev. G.T. Gillingham in 1891 with "nothing to show" for his time in Winslow Station: improvements to the booking and ticket offices
21 June	Parish meetings 1948: decided to go ahead with the Recreation Ground Parish meeting 1949: decided to update the War Memorial
19 June	Parish meetings 1947: problems with allotments and public conveniences
15 June	Parish meeting 1946: election of the parish council which later acquired the Recreation Ground for the town
13 June	Dr Newham (d.1890): sale of his furniture less than a month after he died Winslow politics in 1890: the Conservatives were suddenly much more active than the Liberals Cricket match between the Odd Fellows and Hearts of Oak
11-12 June	Cricket Club and Reading Room activities in 1890 Winslow High School: extensions and alterations Church: new organ installed, 1890 Congregational Church: Sunday school festival, 1890 Charities: allotments provided at Shipton; accounts for 1890 Norden House: argument between Dr Vaisey and the Board of Guardians about the footpath to his new house Quarter Sessions 1770-74: alleged cases included a husband assaulting his wife and a group of men committing riot and assault
10 June	Vestry, 1890: much controversy over James King's conduct as surveyor Station Inn: more about the death of the landlord John Bennett in 1890 Station: new waiting rooms built on the "up" platform Winslow Choral Society inaugurated at Brook Hall School in 1890; most of the committee were Anglican women
8 June	Complaint of hedge-breaking in Shipton, 1642
6 June	Will of Joan Forde: in 1647 Chancery ordered her executor to pay the legacies she bequeathed to the children of William Lowndes Will of John Redding Holland of Aylesbury, grocer and tallow chandler, 1804 (proved 1805): owner of 1 Horn Street
2 June	Obituary and will of Lt-Col. William Selby-Lowndes of Tinker's Corner, 1951
31 May	Will of Thomas Dawney of Aylesbury, gentleman, 1815 (proved 1816): a Baptist who was buried in Winslow and helped set up the Baptist chapel at Swanbourne
27 May	Vestry, 1889: arguments about the charities and cleaning the Market Square
20 May	Proposed School Board, 1889: a hotly contested vote was heavily influenced by the vicar North Buckinghamshire By-Election, 1889: this seems to have aroused less feeling at Winslow The Bell: Winslow Volunteers' prize shooting and dinner, 1889
19 May	Baptist Tabernacle: a change of pastor in 1889 Crowning the Queen of the May: an Anglican response to Congregationalist use of this ceremony, 1889 Church: departure of Rev. Hamilton Douglas-Hamilton in 1889 Cricket Club: ended the 1889 season successfully despite the vicar's withdrawal of support Winslow High School: ran a football team which played "Winslow Town" (not an organised club at the time) 5th November was celebrated in Winslow as "Mask Day" Will of George Willmore, farmer, 1888 (proved 1889): he lived at 32 Sheep Street
17 May	Parishioners' meeting 1924: S.P. Wigley's attempts to bring electricity and water supplies to Winslow Board of Guardians minutes, Sep 1837: The workhouse acquired new gates, and Joseph Neal got the contract for supplying liquor William Robyns, butcher, was pursued in 1485 in the Court of Common Pleas for a debt of 6 marks
16 May	More information about Richard Edmunds (d.1605) Board of Guardians minutes, June 1837: payment of numerous bills Bucks County Council election: some additional reports from early 1889 The George: a ball for 70 guests The Black Horse: celebration of the completion of T.P. Willis' new offices (28 High Street) Church: decision to build new chancel aisle and vestry, 1889 Salvation Army: first anniversary in Winslow Winslow High School: technical education in 1889 Cricket Club: a big argument with the vicar in 1889
9 May	6 High Street: sold to J.G. Hawley in 1869 by his uncle's executors Board of Guardians minutes, May 1837: the master and matron of the workhouse were suspended
6 May	Board of Guardians minutes, March 1837: including beer and coffins for the paupers
3 May	Winslow's first election for Bucks County Council (1889): it was decided by four votes, and a stag and a cat became involved
1 May	Vestry, 1873: plans for the new Infants' School due to a dispute with the vicar Vestry, 1876: G.D.E. Wigley refused to serve as Guardian Obituary of Henry Wigley (d.1888), "intellectual Liberal", and sale of property Bankruptcy of George Grace Lee, saddler at 4 High Street