Roll out the barrel

HOUGHTON Regis High Street was closed once a year for the village’s great barrel-rolling event, when teams from four pubs took part in a wayward and quite hazardous race from the Five Bells to the village green.

This photo shows the start of the race in 1957 when the policeman clearly had little difficulty in controlling the traffic. Pubs taking part were the Five Bells, the White Horse (both now demolished), the Red Lion and the Crown. The event helped to raise money to build the village memorial hall.

This Gazette photo is featured in a new book, Memories of Houghton Regis, edited by Sue King. It contains hundreds of warm-hearted anecdotes from villagers, including many from Londoners who were delighted to move to attractive homes here.

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Alan Johns, who ran the Crown pub from 1964 to 1988, provides a host of memories about his regulars including Millie, who had been visiting the pub since she was 21. The brewery’s gift to her on her 90th birthday was a free beer every day for the rest of her life.

Old Tom, one of the fairground people who came to the Green every year, ran a bumper car ride but would regularly fall asleep. People used to wake him up and tell him they had been on the ride for half-an-hour!

Renee Hyde provides memories of her father, Percy Ward, whose bakers shop in Queen Street is still fondly remembered by many. Percy’s father, Edwin, was the local shepherd, working for a farmer in Poynters Road.

Another business which is sadly missed was Jasper Perry’s General Store which was always open and sold everything – the locals used to call it Selfridge’s.

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Many homes and businesses disappeared during one of Houghton’s saddest episodes when much of the high street was demolished for little apparent reason and with inadequate compensation for those who were displaced.

Sue King’s book costs £8.99 and is available from Houghton Library and Houghton council, with proceeds going to the Mayor’s charity fund.

> Yesteryear is compiled by John Buckledee, chairman of Dunstable and District Local History Society.

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