Historical Information
Eaton Bray is a village and civil parish in the South Bedfordshire district of Bedfordshire, England. It is part of an urban area which crosses into the parish of Edlesborough in Buckinghamshire.
The village name 'Eaton' is a common one in England, coming from the old English 'eitone', meaning 'farm by a river'. It was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Eitone. The suffix 'Bray' refers to Sir Reginald Bray and the family that once owned the manor in this village, which was located at what is today 'Park Farm'.
Eaton Bray once had a moated castle. The moat, today all that remains, is open to the public for fishing at 'Park Farm'. In Victorian times Arthur Macnamara (the 'Mad Squire' of Billington) planned to build a mansion on the site of the castle, but ran out of money after completing the lodge at the entrance to Park Farm.
One of the more distinctive Victorian buildings near the church, is the 'Coffee Tavern' built by a teetotal vicar of the parish to encourage the villagers out of the local public houses. This building was financed by the Wallace family who owned much of the land in the area as well as the famous 'Wallace Nurseries' known for their carnations. The drawings and construction were carried out by the Sharratts who omitted to put a staircase in the original plans!
Today the site of Wallace Nurseries is a housing estate and most of the roads take their name from this and some of the plant varieties they created.
Further historical information is given in The Village of Eaton Bray article written for Bedfordshire Matters.
Source: wikipedia.org
Millennium Book
The Eaton Bray Millenium Book was provided compliments of Eaton Bray Parish Council as part of their Millennium celebrations.
Historical Photographs
The Historical Photographs section contains a collection of historical photos from around Eaton Bray and the surrounding villages.
Genealogy
Genealogical information about past residents of Eaton Bray is gradually being built up. If you have any of your own that you would like published, please Contact Us.
Bower Lane Cemetery
Bower Lane Cemetery was purchased by the Eaton Bray Burial Board from Mr William Henley in 1884.
We now have burial records for the unconsecrated side of the cemetery. This is where many of the graves are unmarked as originally only a small wooden cross would have stood. Over the years they have disappeared and not been replaced.
If you would like a look up please Contact Us and we will reply in a personal message.
Village Quilt
The Village Quilt was created by Mary Mayne.
Mary Mayne published her first book in September 2006: Clever Banners, Panels & Postcards.
Landscapes and Lives
Extracts and articles taken from Landscapes & Lives which was a free publication from 2006.
World War 1 - Those Who Served
World War I - Those Who Served lists the names of those who were residents of Eaton Bray at the time of enlisting in Luton.
World War 2 - Forces Home Coming Fund
The sum of £12 each was paid to 122 Men and Women from Eaton Bray who entered the Forces or served in the Mines.
The Forces Home-Coming Fund page describes the fund and how the money was raised.
World War 2 - The People's War
WW2 People's War provides a number of accounts written by people associated with Eaton Bray and submitted to the BBC's WW2 People's War archive.