Scope and Content
Overall – This scrapbook has been hand-made by the Ravensden Women’s Institute in 1965. It’s hand-written in black ink and features writing, poetry, photographs, drawings, paintings, newspaper clippings, magazine clippings, cigarette cards, tea cards, weather reports, wallpaper samples, upholstery swatches, carpet swatches and fabric swatches.
Page 1 (Intro) - A scrapbook of Ravensden in 1965. Compiled by Ravensden Women’s Institute.
Page 2 (Contributors) – A list of all the individuals that contributed to the creation of the scrapbook.
Page 3 (Summary) - A history of Ravensden covering: Geology, Location, Population, Occupation, Description of the village, dwellings and scenery. Includes a newspaper clipping relating to the development of Mowsbury Park and a hand drawn sketch of a stream just north of Putnoe wood.
Page 4 (Map) – A more-detailed hand drawn map of the Southern end of Ravensden, focusing on Putnoe Wood, Mowsbury Hill and Cleat Hill Farm and including houses, roads and physical features.
Page 5 (Cleat Hill & Mowsbury) – Covering Echodene farm, Shortlands, Cleat Hill, Mowsbury, Poplar Cottage, The Crest, Cleat Hill Farm. Description of dwellings, wild-life, occupations, residents and history. Includes 2 drawings (Jackdaw & Hedgehog) and 2 photographs (Cleat Hill Farm).
Page 6 (Cleat Hill & Bedford Road) – Covering Cleat Hill Farm, newer buildings within the village and a collection of birds seen in this section of Ravensden. Includes 2 photographs (Horse & Foal at Cleat Hill Farm and a new house built opposite Cleat Hill Farm) and 2 paintings of birds (Lapwing, Robin).
Page 7 (Cleat Hill & Bedford Road) – Covering residents’ occupations and commutes, residences, schooling and transport. Includes 4 photographs (Field with sheep, Lady on a scooter holding a dog, Mr Page delivering groceries, Geese on 26 Acres Pond)
Page 8 (Graze Hill & Thurleigh Road) - Description of farms and dwellings along Graze Hill and Thurleigh Road, including Graze Hill Farm, Highfields, Traylesfield, Manor Farm. Thurleigh Road, Ravensden House, Brook Farm and Willow Farm. Includes 2 ink drawings (Fox, Graze Hill) and 2 photographs (Women working in fields, Ravensden House)
Page 9 (Cross-roads) - Description of Ravensden crossroads including the Shop/Post Office, Garage, Village Hall, The Blacksmiths Arms, The Grange, Grange Farm and the mobile shops and library. Includes 2 photographs (Post Office, Hercules Cycle Company Advert) and 1 business card (The Blacksmiths Arms)
Page 10 (Ravensden Wood) - Description of the wildflowers and wildlife in Ravensden Wood. Includes 6 colour paintings (Bluebell, Primrose, Cowslip, Wild Daffodil, Early Purple Orchid, Badger) and 1 magazine clipping (Red Squirrel)
Page 11 (Ravensden Wood/Oldways Road) - Description of wildlife in the area, the school routine for local children and the Police House. Includes 1 drawing (Hare), 1 photograph (Police House) and 1 painting (Skylark)
Page 12 (Oldways Road) - Description of the policework conducted over the course of the year and the routine duties of the Ravensden constable
Page 13 (Oldways Road) - Observations on road safety, speed limits and events on Old Way Road (traction engine and a hunt). Includes 1 magazine clipping (Swallow), 1 photograph (Rare traction engine on Oldways Road) and 1 newspaper clipping (Oakley Hunt near Ravensden)
Page 14 (Oldways Road – Zion Baptist Chapel) - Details of the Zion Baptist Chapel activity. Including Sunday services, Sunday school, weekly meetings, prayer meeting, harvest thanksgiving and weddings during the year. Includes 1 pamphlet (Zion Chapel Services), 1 newspaper clipping (Harvest festival) and 1 photograph (Wedding at the Zion Baptist Chapel)
Page 15 (Oldways Road) - Details of the Zion Baptist Chapel activity. Including Carol service, carol singing and fundraising. Description continues along Old Way Road and includes Tycroes Farm, Struttle End Farm and Home Farm. Includes 1 leaflet (Carol Service), 2 newspaper clippings (Related to carol singing) and 2 paintings (Blackthorn, Bull’s Corner sign post)
Page 16 (Village Hall) - Details of Ravensden Village Hall including Construction, Flooring, Grounds, Trees and the Village Hall Committee. Includes 1 painting (Ravensden Village Hall)
Page 17 (Village Hall Events) - Details of Ravensden Village Hall events during the year. Including 2 dances, monthly health clinics and a list of principal functions through the course of the year (wedding receptions, 21st birthday parties, W.I meetings and events). Includes 1 advertising card (Annual Carnival Dance)
Page 18 (Village Hall WI Events) - Details of Ravensden Village Hall listing W.I events during the year. Includes 1 newspaper clipping (Conservative Christmas Fair – includes an image of a group of adults and children at the Christmas fair)
Page 19 (WI) - Details of Ravensden Women’s Institute use of Ravensden Village Hall. Including monthly meeting schedule, members and officer bearers. Includes 1 photograph (Ravensden Women’s Institute) and 2 programmes (Ravensden Women’s Institute Programme 1964-5 and 1965-6)
Page 20 (WI Jubilee) - A hand-written poem about the planting of the red oak tree at Ravensden Village Hall to commemorate the Women’s Institute Jubilee, dated 20th March 1965. Includes 2 photographs (Oak tree being planted with various W.I members and children)
Page 21 (WI Jubilee) - Details of the Women’s Institute celebrations – Jubilee Luncheon at Bedford on May 11th, 1965, Jubilee Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on 31st May 1965 and Over 60s Coach trip and meal on 31st May 1965. Includes 2 photographs (W.I member and Over 60s annual meal)
Page 22 (WI Events) - Details of the Women’s Institute events across the year, highlighting upholstery classes held from September to November, Country dance classes held from January to April / September to November, Collage competition and Golden Wedding Competition. Includes 5 photographs (Upholstery class, Country dance class x3, Golden wedding competition)
Page 23 (WI Outings) - Details of the Women’s Institute outings across the year including: Avon Cosmetics, Ideal Home Exhibition, Royal Show at Stoneleigh Park, Pork Pie & Prawn demonstration at Poddington, Bournville Factory, Northampton Repertory Theatre, Wedgwood Café Northampton. Includes 2 photographs (Stoneleigh Park and Design for living)
Page 24 (Church End) - Details travelling along Church End Road, past Ravensden Village Hall, over the brook and towards Church of All Saints, Ravensden. Includes fish, wildlife, The Plantation and The Case is Altered (Public House). Includes 3 drawings (Fish), 2 photographs (The Plantation, The Case is Altered) and 1 newspaper clipping (Application for a spirit license)
Page 25 (Church of All Saints) - Details of Church of All Saints, Ravensden, including the history, individuals (vicar, churchwardens, parish council, organists and members of the Parochial Church Council), the Annual General Meeting of the Parochial Church Council and the Harvest Festival. Includes 1 photograph of the church.
Page 26 (Church of All Saints Events) - Details of the Church Magazine and the marriages, baptisms and burials that took place at Church of All Saints, Ravensden during 1965. Includes 1 pamphlet (The Parish Magazine) and 1 photograph (A wedding at the church in June)
Page 27 (Church End) - Details of The Christmas Bazaar and church outings. Continued descriptions following Church End north, including Rose Lea Cottage, The Horse and Jockey and Oak Cottage. Includes 1 magazine cutting (Northampton Repertory), 2 photographs (The Horse and Jockey, Oak Cottage) and 1 newspaper clipping (Fire at The Horse and Jockey)
Pages 28, 29 and 30 (Village School) - Details of the Ravensden Village School including teachers, pupils, term dates for 1965, a list of flowers collected by pupils during the year, classroom interests, school excursions and plans/improvements. Includes 1 photograph of the teachers and pupils.
Page 31 (Parish Council) - Details of Ravensden Parish Council meets at the school. Includes 2 newspaper clippings (Various planning applications, Speed of traffic on Kimbolton Road)
Page 32 (Church End) - Details of the changes in the Church End part of Ravensden during the year. The demolition of a farmhouse and the building and completion of 10 new houses. Includes 1 painting (Farmhouse) and 3 photographs (Farmhouse demolition, First new house, 10 completed houses)
Page 33 (Church End) - Occupations of the residents living at Church End, services in Church, residences in Church End (Ros-Cluaran, Northfields) and the water tap. Includes 2 photographs (WI scrap book meeting at Ros-Cluaran, Water tap and thatched cottages)
Page 34 (Church End) - Description of Church End as you approach the last farm in Ravensden (Glebe Farm). Detailing protected elm trees, Hill Top Farm, wild birds, satellite sightings, Green Lane and the pedigree herd of Friesian cows at Glebe Farm. Includes 1 magazine cutting (Cuckoo)
Page 35 (Glebe Farm & Green Lane) - Description of the pedigree herd of Friesian cows at Glebe Farm, the prizes/awards won and the flora and fauna along Green Lane (connecting Church End to Kimbolton Road). Includes 2 newspaper clippings (Guillyhill Janna Fresian Cow of Glebe Farm, Highest priced cow) and 1 photograph (4 teenagers from Church End and the Glebe Farm dog)
Page 36 (Kimbolton Road) - Description of Kimbolton Road and the water tower. Finishes the trail of Ravensden with a poem summarising the chapter and Ravensden. Includes 1 photograph (Water tower) and 1 ink sketch (Church)
Page 37 (Birds, Butterflies, Flowers and Animals) - Title page for the ‘Birds, Butterflies, Flowers and Animals of Ravensden’ section of the scrapbook
Page 38 (Birds) - 7 paintings of birds (Heron, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Moorhen, Bullfinch, Common Gull, Jay, Great Tit)
Page 39 (Butterflies & Flowers) – 15 paintings of butterflies and flowers (Cut-leaved Cranebill, Grass Pea, Brimstone, Primrose, Small Blue, Orange Tip, Groundsel, Woody Nightshade, Cabbage White, Poppy, Marbled White, Honeysuckle, Meadow Brown, Red Admiral)
Page 40 (Flowers) – 6 paintings of flowers (Spindle, Spurge Laurel, Lords and Ladies, Melilot, Great Reed Mace, Birds Foot Trefoil)
Page 41 (Flowers) – 10 pastel drawings of flowers (Dwarf Mallow, Scarlet Pimpernel, Creeping Jenny, Figwort, Dogwood, Common Vetch, Purple Willow, Yellow Bedstraw, Ash, Wild Teasel, Bugle, Silver Weed, Bistort, White Dead Nettle, Ox-eye Daisy, Ragwort, Deadly Nightshade, Violet)
Page 42 (Birds & Animals) – 8 paintings of birds (Green Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Magpie, Yellow Hammer, Song Thrush, Pigeon, Common Pheasant, Tree Creeper) and 8 Player’s Cigarettes Animals of the Countryside cards (Common Frog, Toad, Adder, Lesser Shrew, House Mice, Smooth Newt, Mole, Bat)
Pages 43, 44, 45 & 46 (Nature Notes) - A breakdown by month relating to significant flora and fauna events. Including plants flowering, bird sounds, bird nests and hatchings, corn/crop activity. Includes 1 drawing (Crows in walnut tree at Cleat Hill Farm), 1 painting (Blackberries) and 1 photograph (Double rainbow)
Pages 47, 48, 49 & 50 (Cleat Hill Farm) - A breakdown by month of the activities at Cleat Hill Farm. Crops, animals, weather conditions. Includes 2 drawings (A dog accompanying a horse and rider across a field, a farm house with the church on the hill)
Page 51 (Weather) - A collection of 13 pages of graph paper (12 for each individual month and 1 for a final summary) sellotaped together to provide a single graph showing the Mean Temperature, Maximum Temperature, Minimum Temperature and the Diurnal Range by day for 1965. The summary at the end of the Weather chart highlights total rainfall, the wettest month, the driest month, the warmest day and the coldest day.
Page 52 (Who’s Who) - A list of notable individuals in Ravensden and where they lived, including the youngest and oldest inhabitant. Also includes a list of local dialect words
Page 53 (Wallpaper, Furnishings, Fabrics and Carpets) - Title page for the ‘Wallpapers, Furnishing Fabrics and Carpets used in Ravensden’ section of the scrapbook
Pages 54 & 55 (Wallpaper) - Living room and Hall paper, Feature Wallpaper and Ceiling paper. Includes 5 samples of Living Room and Hall paper, 7 samples of Feature paper and 7 samples of Ceiling paper
Pages 56 & 57 (Wallpaper) - Kitchen and Bathroom paper, Bedroom paper and Realistic paper. Includes 5 samples of Kitchen and Bathroom paper, 7 samples of Bedroom paper and 4 samples of Realistic paper
Pages 58 & 59 (Upholstery) - An overview of the various types of upholstery materials used, how they were used and the comparison between modern décor and traditional furnishings within the village. Includes a selection of 10 upholstery material swatches (Washable quilting, Tweed, Flannel, Moquette, Cotton x3, Folkweave, Brocade, Cotton Weave) and 4 photographs (2 photographs showing a modern interior and 2 photographs showing a traditional interior)
Pages 60 & 61 (Carpets) - An overview of the various types of carpets in use in Ravensden. Covering The Axminster, The Wilton, Tufted bedroom carpets, Enkalon and Hearth rugs. Includes a selection of 9 carpet swatches (Axminster Traditional, Axminster Modern x2, Wilton, Tufted x2, Enkalon x2, Hearth rug)
Pages 62 & 63 (Dress Material) - An overview of the various types of dress materials used in Ravensden. Covering Cottons, Brocades, Velvets, Lurex, Nylon, Rayon, Fine Wool, Heavy wool, Tweed, Clydella, Wool georgette, Worsted, Bush baby and Satin. Includes a selection of 49 fabric swatches
Page 64 (WI Member) - An overview of Miss Swales, Vice-President of Ravensden Women’s institute and her small holding. Includes 3 photographs.
Page 65 (Poem) - A 9-line, original poem summarising Ravensden in 1965 and how future readers may view the scrapbook.