Ampthill Past Memories

20/10/2026

PART 2 of our Bricks, Neighbours and Memories Podcast - We are pleased to release part two of our podcasts to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Stewartby Village.

In this special second episode, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Stewartby Village, Ampthill Past Memories brings you the personal recollections shared by contributors at a recent community get-together.

Having explored the history of the brickworks and village in Part One, we now step aside and let the people who remember take centre stage. Hear their contributions in full as they share their experiences, reflections and memories of a remarkable industry and the community it helped create.

These are the voices that bring history to life — offering a personal connection to Stewartby's past and preserving stories for future generations.

The chimneys may have disappeared, and the machinery may have fallen silent, but the memories live on.

Listen to the people behind the history and discover why Stewartby's story is about so much more than bricks.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/640n3tuAx4WDiuxkhUQ6r9

Ampthill Past Memories · Episode

19/10/2026

NEW PODCAST ALERT - We are pleased to release two podcasts to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Stewartby Village.

Bricks, Neighbours and Memories - The Story of Stewartby Village - Part 1
How did a small rural hamlet become home to one of the world's largest brickworks? And what happened to the community when the brickworks finally fell silent?

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Stewartby Brickworks, Ampthill Past Memories takes you on a journey through the remarkable story of the London Brick Company and the village it helped create.

Discover how farming settlements became a thriving industrial community, employing thousands of people and attracting workers from across the world. Explore the model village built for brickworkers and their families, the working lives and social traditions that brought people together, and the changes that eventually led to the closure of the brickworks and the disappearance of its iconic chimneys.

But this is more than a story of clay, kilns and bricks. It's a story of people, families, friendships and a community shaped by an extraordinary industry.

Featuring historical insights and personal recollections, this first episode sets the scene for the memories and experiences of those who lived and worked there and in the surrounding villages/Towns.

And the story doesn't end here! Join us for Part Two, where we hear the full contributions of those who came together at an Ampthill Past Memories gathering to share their own memories of Stewartby Brickworks.

Listen now and discover the story behind the bricks, the neighbours and the memories.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/13EBHXeTVgUnF2odZfUzGb

Ampthill Past Memories · Episode

17/09/2026

Thanks to all who came to hear our “Bricks, Neighbours and Memories” Get-together. And many, many thanks to all the memories shared and we explained we hope to make this yet another Ampthill Past Memories podcast.
Ampthill Ghost WalksAmpthill & District Preservation SocietyAmpthill Cultural Events Ampthill.Info - Airing & Sharing Group (by Cllr Mark Smith)Old Ampthill Bedfordshire

16/09/2026

Tickets now on sale grab them while you can - TryBooking https://www.trybooking.com/uk/GVPM and at Lucky Hare Bookshop, Ampthill 🎬

31/08/2026

Stewartby is celebrating 100 years this year and at our next Get-Together we are recalling our Ampthill memories of Stewartby at “Bricks, Neighbours and Memories” on Wednesdsy 16th September 2pm at the Methodist Upper Room.
If you would like to join us PLEASE email [email protected] to ensure a seat ís reserved. Thank you.
Ampthill & District Preservation Society Old Ampthill Bedfordshire Ampthill.Info - Airing & Sharing Group (by Cllr Mark Smith) Ampthill.Info

17/08/2026

Ampthill Past Memories are pleased to announce their latest podcast Avenue House, Ampthill - memories of Film Maker Douglas Downing. https://open.spotify.com/episode/3uqrm9m4Gdz2SztRsbFezy
And….. SAVE THE DATE! 🎬🏛️
Don’t miss an outstanding evening celebrating the Georgian legacy of Sir Albert Richardson! Join us for Inside 20 Church St, Ampthill, featuring a special film screening and discussion of “Avenue House - A Collection Revealed” (narrated by the late Simon Houfe).
We are thrilled to welcome producer Douglas Downing in person to introduce the film and lead the discussion!
🗓️ When: Saturday, 14th November 2026
📍 Where: St Andrew’s Church, Ampthill
🎟️ Tickets: Full details and booking link coming soon—stay tuned!
Mark your calendars and share with fellow history and architecture lovers! 🏛️✨
Ampthill Cultural Events Ampthill Ghost Walks Ampthill.Info

13/08/2026

Sandra and Mariella have visited Ampthill Baptist Church Holiday at Home to give talks on a local Hero and Heroine as part of the Heroes and Heroines theme.

Thanks for the incredible hospitality.

02/08/2026

This is great news that the iconic Ampthill view will be restored, many thanks to all Ampthill Residents who choose to donate - Donations always welcome to
FRIENDS OF ST ANDREW'S AMPTHILL
60-01-16 45288046

In February 2022, Ampthill, along with the rest of the country, was visited by Dudley, Eunice and Franklin! Remember them?

And it was on the Friday 18th that Storm Eunice finally put paid to the old weather vane on the tower of St Andrew's Church, Ampthill !! 😩

The broken vane has laid in a heap ever since but, four years later, the scaffolding currently erected to enable stonework repairs has enabled the PCC to consider the commissioning and installation of a shiny new replacement. 😊 This (and its post) will cost nearly £3000 to make. However, this was not part of the original stonework plan so we are now looking for funding.

Like its predecessor, the new vane will be part of an iconic Ampthill view, particularly on the approach from Maulden, hopefully for centuries!

Would you like to be a part of this project? To have a stake in our town's heritage? To look up in the years and decades to come and say "I helped pay for that!"?

If you are able to contribute towards this cost, our bank details are in our Bio. Please use reference WEATHER VANE. We will give a complementary tower tour for two for any donations of £50 or more... a chance to see the result of your donation - and the best view in town!! 🎉😍

23/07/2026

Thank you to Douglas Downing for joining our Get Together to introduce and narrate his film that features Simon Houfe guiding us around Avenue House set in the time of Sir Albert Richardson.
A very intriguing and interesting afternoon.

08/05/2026

Come and join us at our next Get-together on June 10th at Ampthill Methodist Church Upper Room when we celebrate “Age Without Limits Day” We will be entertained by our own Christine Moore and Quintessentials and more…!
Everyone in the community welcome.