Ampthill Past Memories

Ampthill Past Memories
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Ampthill Past Memories presents oral histories from residents of the town. Produced by Radio LaB 97.1FM at the University of Bedfordshire and Ampthill Past Memories.

  1. Aug 17

    Avenue House, Ampthill - memories of Film Maker Douglas Downing

    In this episode, Researcher and Film Maker Douglas Downing reflects on a once-in-a-lifetime filmmaking journey alongside historian Simon Houfe. Together, they created Avenue House – A Collection Revealed, an intimate documentary exploring the magnificent, eclectic art and architectural collections gathered by Simon's grandfather, the renowned architect Sir Albert Richardson, during his years living at Avenue House. Join us as Douglas shares behind-the-scenes stories, personal memories, and the passion required to bring a legendary family legacy to the screen.

  2. Jun 19

    The Life and times of No37 Church Street, Ampthill (AKA The Wingfield Club)

    From grand houses and forgotten buildings, to the lives of ordinary residents whose stories might otherwise be lost to time, Ampthill Past Memories is about bringing history back to life—through research, recollection, and the voices of those who remember. Today, we’re peeling back the layers of time, traveling all the way back to 1742. We’re uncovering how a private family home evolved into a public landmark, and meeting the fascinating ghosts of its past along the way.This is the story of Number 37 Church Street, or as it’s known today The Wingfield Club

  3. Jan 26

    Sheila Smith

    Sheila was born in Glasgow and moved to Ampthill in 1959 when she was 13. They moved into a house on Woburn Street which went with the job her father had been offered with AER refrigeration engineering company. Sheila details how hard it was for her and her mother to settle into Ampthill initially and describes how things eventually improved. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series by Sandra Read and Mariella Cook. Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight into their personal and working lives of several decades ago.  The interviews conjure up a fabulous picture of how Ampthill used to be and highlights some of the interesting goings on and colourful characters that used to reside in the area. If you would like to be involved and help us continue to preserve Ampthill’s historic past, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ampthillpastmemories@gmail.com

  4. Jan 16

    Almshouses and Workhouses

    This episode of Ampthill Past Memories explores the history of almshouses and workhouses in Ampthill, two institutions that played a vital role in caring for the town’s poorest and most vulnerable residents. From early charitable almshouses founded through generous bequests to the more complex and often harsher realities of the workhouse system, their stories reveal how attitudes to poverty, welfare, and community responsibility have changed over time. Together, they form an important but often overlooked chapter in Ampthill’s social history. Listen as we uncover how these institutions shaped the lives of generations in our town. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society. Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight into their personal and working lives of several decades ago.  The interviews conjure up a fabulous picture of how Ampthill used to be and highlights some of the interesting goings on and colourful characters that used to reside in the area.If you would like to be involved and help us continue to preserve Ampthill’s historic past, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ampthillpastmemories@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Ampthill and District Preservation Society website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for further information.

  5. Jan 14

    VJ Day Remembrance

    This special edition of the Ampthill Past Memories podcast marks the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day. On Friday 15 August 2025, the people of Ampthill gathered in the town square, joined by the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, Camilla King, the town mayor, Councillor Steve Addy, and fellow ward and town councillors, to honour those who served, sacrificed, and endured during the Second World War in the Far East. We pay particular tribute to the local men of the 5th Battalion of the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment, many of whom suffered immense hardship as prisoners of war, and whose courage remains an enduring part of Ampthill’s history. This episode returns to that poignant moment, featuring the proclamation delivered by town crier Kelvin Horton, reflections from army veteran Terry McHugh, and the moving sounds of the Last Post and Reveille played by Louis Sherry of the Ampthill Town Band. This recording is shared with grateful thanks to Martin Fryer and Ron Taylor of the Far East Prisoners of War Family for permission to use their invaluable research and data. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society. Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight into their personal and working lives of several decades ago.  The interviews conjure up a fabulous picture of how Ampthill used to be and highlights some of the interesting goings on and colourful characters that used to reside in the area.If you would like to be involved and help us continue to preserve Ampthill’s historic past, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ampthillpastmemories@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Ampthill and District Preservation Society website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for further information.

  6. Jan 7

    14 Dunstable Street

    This special edition podcast focuses on a house that no longer stands, but once dominated Dunstable Street. Known variously as St. George's, Redborne House, Russell House, and Cleveland, it was a building with many lives, from the home of Ampthill's first millionaire to a wartime hospital, a children's nursery, and even a school annex. Its story mirrors the changing face of Ampthill itself. Listen to the story of 14 Dunstable Street. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society. Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight into their personal and working lives of several decades ago.  The interviews conjure up a fabulous picture of how Ampthill used to be and highlights some of the interesting goings on and colourful characters that used to reside in the area.If you would like to be involved and help us continue to preserve Ampthill’s historic past, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ampthillpastmemories@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Ampthill and District Preservation Society website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for further information.

  7. 08/18/2025

    Bert Harris - WWII Japanese Prisoner of War - SPECIAL EPISODE

    WARNING - This podcast discusses violence and war that some listeners may find distressing. This special edition podcast features the voice of Paul Roberts, who recorded stories about his friend Bert Harris. Bert fought in WW2, and became a Japanese prisoner of war. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society. Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight into their personal and working lives of several decades ago.  The interviews conjure up a fabulous picture of how Ampthill used to be and highlights some of the interesting goings on and colourful characters that used to reside in the area.If you would like to be involved and help us continue to preserve Ampthill’s historic past, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ampthillpastmemories@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Ampthill and District Preservation Society website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for further information.

  8. 07/28/2025

    Alan Bush Part 4

    Alan Bush was born in Ampthill. Hear the fourth part of his story here, read by his son Paul. Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society. Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight into their personal and working lives of several decades ago.  The interviews conjure up a fabulous picture of how Ampthill used to be and highlights some of the interesting goings on and colourful characters that used to reside in the area.If you would like to be involved and help us continue to preserve Ampthill’s historic past, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ampthillpastmemories@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Ampthill and District Preservation Society website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for further information.

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Trailer

About

Ampthill Past Memories presents oral histories from residents of the town. Produced by Radio LaB 97.1FM at the University of Bedfordshire and Ampthill Past Memories.

Information

  • Creator
    Ampthill Past Memories
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ampthill Past Memories
  • Show Website
    Ampthill Past Memories

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