Biscot

for the French actor see Georges Biscot
Biscot
Biscot
Biscot shown within Bedfordshire
Population 13,660 (including Bury Park).[1]
OS grid reference TL059227
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town LUTON
Postcode district LU3
Dialling code 01582
Police Bedfordshire
Fire Bedfordshire and Luton
Ambulance East of England
EU Parliament East of England
UK Parliament

Biscot is an area of Luton close to the town centre. The name of Biscot can be traced back to the Domesday Book where it is recorded as Bissopescote which means 'King's land'.[2]

Commer produced trucks in Biscot for many years at their factory in Biscot Road.[3] SKF, the Swedish ball bearing manufacturer, were located on Leagrave Road and employed many local people until the 1970s when they closed their operations in the area.

Britannia House Originally this large industrial building on Leagrave Road was used by the Swedish ball-bearing manufacturer SKF, and their name can still be seen carved in the stonework at the top of the entrance portico. However it was sold in 1978 and SKF now occupy premises in Sundon Park Road elsewhere in Luton. The building is now used for multi-occupancy business suites

Politics

Luton, Carlton Crescent in Biscot

Biscot ward is represented by Cllr Mohammed Ayub (Labour), Cllr Naseem Ayub (Labour) and Cllr Tahir Khan (Labour).

The ward forms part of the parliamentary constituency of Luton South, and the MP is Gavin Shuker (Labour). Biscot is within the East of England (European Parliament constituency).

Map of Luton showing Biscot

World War I

[4] Biscot Camp was the home of Number 6 Reserve Training Brigade (Territorial Forces) Royal Field Artillery. Many thousands of Gunners and Drivers, were trained here during World War I, before they were shipped overseas for service manning the big guns of the Royal Field Artillery.

Biscot Camp was a large establishment, and was located in an area framed by Kennington Road, Biscot Road, Holland Road, and Leagrave Road. These roads had been constructed immediately prior to the outbreak of war, but houses had not yet been built on them.

The famous Author Dennis Wheatley trained here.

Historian Basil Williams (historian) was an Education Officer stationed here, and was awarded an M.B.E for his service. The commanding Officer during the early stages of the war, was a Colonel C.H. Alexander, he left in January 1917.

The camp closed in November 1919, and the last of the huts from the camp was demolished in September 1937, it was believed this hut was the YMCA hut, as it continued in use as St. Andrews Parish Hall.

Local Attractions

Luton, St Andrew's Church - geograph.org.uk - 193136

Local Newspapers

Two weekly newspapers are delivered free to all the houses in Biscot. However they are not specific to Biscot. They are:

References

  1. .
  2. Domesday Book reference
  3. Commer history
  4. http://www.worldwar1luton.com/object/biscot-camp/
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.