Browns Wood
The map above indicates how to get to the wood from the village.
A walk up Highfield Road and across the A6 will bring you to the wood right opposite. The wood has been in existence for hundreds of years and a recorded history of the wood dates back to 1799 when it was owned by the duke of Bedford. Throughout its history, the wood has been felled and replanted several times with the last major planting in Victorian times. The trees are mainly oak and ash with an area of hornbeam and some fine old beech trees. In the past, woods like these were regularly managed through the taking of underwood or coppice and the periodic felling of larger trees. This pattern of management has given rise to a special range of plants and animals that make use of changing conditions. Light open areas support woodland flowers and young trees whilst darker overgrown parts provide dead wood for insects and woodpeckers.
Today the wood is owned by Bedford Borough Council, and the management is aimed towards nature conservation and amenity rather than commercial forrestry. Occasional thinning of the trees is still required and the rides are kept open to encourage flowers and butterflies.
The field next to the wood has lain fallow for years, but during the year 2000 twenty-six thousand new trees were planted here extending Browns Wood by an additional 31 acres. The main trees are oak, ash and field maple with beech and hornbeam featuring on top of the hill.
Most of the wood will mature into large trees with smaller trees and shrubs underneath. The hornbeam may be coppiced to form many stemmed thickets. A few wayfaring trees were planted and these also occur locally on clay soil over limestone. In time, the new planting will provide valuable habitat for a range of woodland birds, butterflies and small mammals.
You are welcome to walk around the paths and rides of both the old and new woods. Please take care not to damage the rabbit fence, if rabbits get in, they will damage the young trees.
For further information or to enquire about becoming a Friend of Browns Wood, please contact Ed Burnett, Countryside Sites Officer on 01234 228759
Thank you to Nick Hall for the use of the picture above.
St. Mary’s Church
Reference to the Parish Church of St. Mary`s is made in the history section of this site, but no specific reference is made to the history of the building. The Church is an ancient edifice of stone in the Early English style, consisting of a chancel, nave, aisles, porch and a lofty embattled tower, containing a clock and six bells, two of which were recast and rehung in 1899.
The ancient clock in the tower with an hour hand only is one of the most antique in the county, constructed about 1620, and it still keeps the most accurate time. The tower is the oldest part of the building, its lower part dating from the twelfth century.The two western bays of the nave arcades were probably first built at the end of the twelfth century. The east bay of the nave, which has two pointed arches, may belong to the same period. The chancel dates from circa 1220. The South aisle was rebuilt in the fourteenth century and the north aisle, the clerestory, the upper storey of the tower, the south porch and west end of the chancel are all from the same period.
The church can be found at the junction of Church Lane with Lovell Road and can be accessed through the gate on Church Lane towards the bridge over the river.
Linch Furlong
This community nature reserve is owned and managed by Oakley Parish Council. It has been developed for the residents of Oakley and the wildlife of the area but all are welcome.
The site takes its name from the 1795 Plan of the Lordship of Oakley Reynes. The site was a farmed field for many years, used mainly for arable crops, but due to the poor soil and small size the site fell into disuse and has now become a nature reserve.
The Parish Council are creating a place for quiet recreation, relaxation and wildlife with help from the Village Plan Environmental Group, Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity and local residents.
Two local War Time Museums
Strictly speaking, the following two sites are not within the boundaries of the parish of Oakley. However, I feel that they should be included as they recall events of the past and both are close to the village. They are:
Twinwood Airfield and Control Tower together with the Glenn Miller Museum and Thurleigh Airfield Museum home of the 306th Bombardment Group.
Twinwood Airfield & Control Tower
During WWII Twinwood Airfield was used as a training base and a satellite for nearby Cranfield Airfield. It was an RAF base but both British and American aircraft used it.
Many famous people, including Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Glenn Miller used Twinwood Airfield to fly throughout the country on their numerous concert tours.
On a foggy December day in 1944 Glenn MIller waited in the Control Tower before he boarded a Norseman aircraft bound for Paris. He was never seen again.
The Twinwood Control Tower has been restored by Twinwood Events Ltd. who now are the present owners and it is now open to the public to explore and experience.
Visit this historic building and experience the unique atmosphere that surrounds it. On the ground floor you can view a superb museum dedicated to Glenn Miller, and RAF room dedicated to the RAF personnel stationed here, and a gallery of superb wartime aviation art. Then step back in time as you go upstairs to view the unforgettable World War II RAF Twinwood Control Tower.
Opening Hours: Weekends and Bank Holidays 10:30am – 4:00pm
Also open to groups of 10 or more by appointment any time. Admission: Adults £3 and children of 16 or less are admitted free. There is a gift shop on site selling souvenirs, books etc. and refreshments are available.
Location: Situated off the old A6 just north of Bedford at Clapham Village. The site is signposted.
Contact: Twinwood Events Ltd. Twinwood Road, Clapham, Bedford, MK41 6AB Tel: 01234 350413 Fax: 01234 826255. Web site Twinwood Events
Thurleigh Airfield
Thurleigh as an airfield dates back to July 1940 when work began to build a Bomber command base as part of a massive nationwide building programme.
An RAF party arrived in July 1941 to open the far from complete airfield. The early days of 1942 sa w a major influx of personnel to Thurleigh with the formation of 160 Squadron RAF. Their stay was brief, they left for the Middle East in February.
At about the same time 18 Operational training Unit arrived with its Wellington Bombers and Polish crews who left in early June. The airfield then underwent a considerable expansion of facilities to accommodate an American Heavy Bomber Group. In September 1942 the 306th Bombardment Group arrived. On9h October 1942 a formation of B17 Flying Fortress left Thurleigh on the first of what was to be 341 daylight bombing missions over occupied Europe.
19trh April 1945 saw the Group return to their wartime home after what was to be their final combat mission of the war. Thurleigh airfield became the first base in England to be handed over completely to the Americans, giving them full sovereignty and control of these few acres.
The 306th stayed longer than any other Eighth Air Force combat unit at a single base and longer in England than any other Eighth Air Force bomber or fighter unit.
Museum – 306th Bombardment Group
Thurleigh Museum was opened on July 27th 2002 by Dr Jonathan Palmer of Bedford Autodrome who donated the building. The building itself is of interest being one of the few remaining on the original airfield built during WWII.
A large collection of artefacts has been assembled to re-create the activities and atmosphere of the airfield and surrounding area during the war years. The 306th are commemorated by a large collection of memorabilia, photographs and displays. The social impact of the friendly invasion on the surrounding area is also shown and features a GI bride scene. There are also displays from 160 Squadron and 18 Operational Training Unit. A wartime home is shown along with a section on the war in the countryside. To help recapture the sights and sounds of those war years, an audio and visual system has been installed.
Opening times: 10:30 am to 4:00pm every week-end and Bank Holiday from March 1st until October 31st. Groups by arrangement. Entry costs £3 for adults with children under 16 free of charge.
Location: From the A6 between Bedford and Rushden at Sharnbrook follow the signs for Bedford Technology Park and Bedford Autodrome.
For more information contact: Ralph Franklin – British Representative 306th Bombardment Group Association. Tel: 01234 708715. Email to: 306museum@nscmh.fsnet.co.uk