Carlton and Chellington were originally two separate villages in Bedfordshire, each with its own church. The ecclesiastical parishes were united in 1769, and the civil parishes in 1934. The Carlton and Chellington Historical Society was founded in November 1993, and during its lifetime has consistently had well over 100 members. They come not only from Carlton and Chellington; many are from neighbouring villages, and some, whose ancestors lived in our villages, are from places much further away.
Each year the Society organizes a talk or a visit for each month from February through to November. Talks are are usually held in Carlton Village Hall, The Moor, Carlton, Beds., on the third Thursday of the month. Coffee and biscuits are served from 7:30 p.m., and the talk itself starts at 8:00. Non-members are welcome. Admission fees are 50p. for members, and £2.00 for non-members.
Additionally, the Society publishes a quarterly newsletter, distributed free to members. It has also republished the diary of Benjamin Rogers (rector of Carlton from 1720 to 1771), originally published by the Bedfordshire Historical Record Society in 1949, and hopes to publish further books in future. A subgroup of members has specific interests in local family history.
Officers of the Society:
Chairman and Newsletter Editor: Mike Pratt, 21 High Street, Carlton, Bedford, MK43 7LA, (01234) 721720;
Vice-chair: Myriam Ritchie, (01234) 721119;
Secretary, Ann Jackson, 18A High Street, Carlton, Bedford MK43 7LA, (07793) 819549;
Treasurer, June Wood, 4 Pavenham Road, Carlton, Bedford, MK43 7LS, (01234) 720689.
Other committee members:
David Chadwick, Louise Heathcote, Judy Meade, Mike Meade, Winifred Pratt.
(This page last updated 2010-08-17)