Harrold, Bedfordshire

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 52.2
longitude= -0.61
official_name=Harrold
population=
shire_district=Bedford
shire_county = Bedfordshire
region= East of England
constituency_westminster=North East Bedfordshire
post_town=BEDFORD
postcode_district = MK43 7
postcode_area= MK
dial_code=01234
os_grid_reference=SP950567

Harrold is a village, civil parish and electoral ward in the Borough of Bedford within Bedfordshire, England, around twelve miles north-west of Bedford. The village is on the north bank of the River Great Ouse, and is the site of an ancient bridge, linking the village with Carlton with Chellington on the south bank. Harrold was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a parish within the Hundred of Willey. [British History Online – Parishes and dates [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=42376] ]

An early medieval sword mount was unearthed by a metal detectorist in 2006. It is believed the tiny decoration could have adorned the sword belt of a high-ranking Saxon warrior. [http://www.treasurehunting.tv/archived_treasure_hunting/2006/11/tiny_saxon_status_symbol_is_de.html Saxon Decoration Article and Photo]

Immediately to the east of the village is Odell. Across the bridge is Carlton.

The buttermarket in Harrold has often been an iconic image in Harrold, along with the bridge. It also used to be the logo for one of the schools in Harrold.Harrold also has a village lock-up that was used to detain drunks and suspected criminals. It is no longer in use.Fact|date=July 2007

Harrold electoral ward

Today Harrold is an electoral ward within the Borough of Bedford, and the ward contains four parishes within its boundaries. Parishes and settlements within the ward, from south to north are Harrold parish, Odell parish, Podington parish including Hinwick and Farndish, and Wymington parish including Little Wymington. Harrold itself is near the southern boundary of its ward which follows some of the River Great Ouse. The ward extends northward from Harrold and fills the northwest corner of Bedfordshire, bordering Northamptonshire.

External links

* [http://www.treasurehunting.tv/archived_treasure_hunting/2006/11/tiny_saxon_status_symbol_is_de.html Saxon Decoration Article and Photo]
* [http://www.carltonwithchellington.co.uk/village_history.htm History of Carlton]
* [http://www.harrold.info/ Harrold community]
* [http://www.harrold.org.uk/ Harrold Parish Council]

References