Putnoe
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Putnoe is a ward and area on the northern side of the town of Bedford in England.
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[edit] History of Putnoe
Nothing is known of the original Saxon settler, Putta, who gave his name to the spur, or heel, of land known as a 'hoh' on which his farm stood. This may have been on the same site as Putnoe Farm which is now occupied by Puttenhoe Elderly Person's Home, next to Putnoe street. [2]
Putnoe was listed in the Domesday Book: Putenehou: Hugh de Beauchamp. Mill. Part of Bedford.
The name in its present form has been around since the 16th Century, but was formerly known as 'Puttenhoe' and 'Putenho' indicating the spur or 'hoh' of land belonging to an unknown Anglo-Saxon settler Putta, hence 'Puttas-hoe' = Putnoe! [3]
The area remained undeveloped farmland until after World War Two. At this time momentum grew in Bedford to plan the re-development of the town from its population of 58,000 to 75,000. This required the provision of a substantial area of land for housing development. The decision to develop the Putnoe area was taken in 1950, and the first phase of construction of the Putnoe estate occurred between 1953 and 1957. [4]
[edit] Politics
Putnoe is an unparished area, with all community services under the direct control of Bedford Borough Council. Putnoe elects 3 councillors to Bedford Borough Council and 1 councillor to Bedfordshire County Council, all of which are currently Liberal Democrats.
[edit] Local Amenities
Putnoe is almost entirely residential, there are no major industrial or business estates in the area. Most shops and services are clustered around two shopping parades - The first is on Chiltern Avenue and includes a small Supermarket, Off License, florists, hairdressers and Laundrette.
The second shopping parade is located on Putnoe Street and includes a Costcutter supermarket, Newsagents and Post Office, a pub named The Bluebell, a Library, and a BUPA Elderly Persons Home called Puttenhoe.
Putnoe's largest open space is Mowsbury Park, located on Wentworth Drive. The area has a regular bus service into Bedford Town Centre, and there are many Post and telephone boxes dotted around the locality.
[edit] Schools
There are five state schools in Putnoe - Hazeldene Lower School and The Hills Lower School are both located on the same Stancliffe Road site, Putnoe Lower School is situated on Overdale. The area's 9-13 year olds are served by Woodside Middle School on Church Lane. Mark Rutherford Upper School, located on Wentworth Drive is Putnoe's upper school. [5]
[edit] Places of Worship
Putnoe Heights Church of England and Methodist Church is located on Putnoe Heights. Woodside Church (part of the Newfrontiers family of churches) is situated on Dove Road.
[edit] References
- ^ Neighbourhood Statistics
- ^ http://www.putnoe.co.uk/history_ch1.htm 'The Romans and Anglo Saxons (Before 1066)'
- ^ http://www.putnoe.co.uk/index.htm 'Putnoe Index'
- ^ http://www.putnoe.co.uk/history_ch8.htm 'The Housing Boom and Bedford Corporation (1950 to 1973)'
- ^ http://bedfordshire.gov.uk/EducationAndLearning/SchoolAdmissions/SchoolCatchmentAreas.aspx 'Bedfordshire School Catchment Areas'
