Warning.

 

I start this article with a warning, and I will end it with some wise jovial information from beyond the grave.

Springtime had eventually decided to make a mini showing at the beginning of April, 2024, so driving home from a visit to Podington Garden Centre I was in a mini state of shock to see “average speed” cameras in Wymington.

Approach from Rushden.	High Tech.

Proud to say that I was born and bred in Wymington, as was my father, and most of his family. So I know just how busy it can get with traffic these days, and the high speeds that some motorists choose to travel at.

Green Lane. (Old Lane).

Wymington did have its own police house, and naturally our own policeman. Two that I remember well were Sgt Seldon and Ken Bonner. Ken was a dead ringer for the comic actor from the 1950’s and 1960’s, Jimmy Edwards.

And part of his patrol routine was to call in to his controllers, who I think were at Sharnbrook at the time. This was done from the public call box at the bottom of Church Lane.

The regulation red coloured phone box stood where the brick built bus shelter is now. The buttons available to press, were the button A and B. One to insert your money, and the other to get your money back if the call was not possible.

Next village was Podington where they had PC Hill keeping an eye on things.

The story does take me back to my tender years, and it would have included a group of us playing around in the heavy snow that we had on a regular basis during the winter months.

From Bedford Road.

Although it was a long time ago, such mates as John Harbour, Bill Cox, Neil Anderson, Paul Saunders, Michael Hart, Chris Finochio, Richard Saunders, Adrian Short, and Paul Swords etc would be part of the gang.

The snow had been heavy as usual, and a make do sort of snow plough had been dragged behind a tractor through Wymington.

The volume of traffic would have been nothing compared to the level we see today. Back then our village road sweeper “Pent Bailey” was always working his way, keeping everywhere tidy, with his golden retriever at his side.

Bottom of Drews Hill.

I remember what he said, as though it was yesterday, as we played outside of the New Inn pub. “Those cars are gonna be coming round that corner at 60 MPH, and knock you lads “head over apex”.(translated from his Anglo Saxon).

“Pentland” some people have heard what you said, and many years later, have done something to slow the traffic down mate.