Clapham, Bedfordshire


Clapham is a village and civil parish in the Borough of Bedford in Bedfordshire, England. It had a population of 3,643 as at the 2001 census, increasing to 4,560 at the 2011 Census.

Facilities

Clapham has a few small shops; including a post office, takeaways, a cafe, florist and two hairdressers; it also has two churches, including the Church of St Thomas of Canterbury which is a grade I listed building. It has its own primary school for children aged 4 to 11, Ursula Taylor Primary School. In the nearby village of Oakley is Lincroft Academy for children aged 11–16. It has three pubs, the Horse and Groom, the Fox and Hounds and the Star; there was also a club called "Clapham Club" now turned into a Tesco Express store, and an Italian restaurant, Bellini's.
RAF Twinwood Farm, a disused airfield on the western outskirts of the village, is where the famous bandleader Glenn Miller took off on his last fateful flight, having performed for the American soldiers based at the airfield and at Bedford Corn Exchange. The Glenn Miller Museum is now open on site with many events taking place during the summer months.
Clapham Park, a large new country house, was built by James Howard, member of parliament for Bedford, in 1872.
There is also a derelict Italian POW camp, which is now owned by a farmer and has been the victim of graffiti artists.

Sport and recreation

Clapham has a King George V Field in memorial to King George V. Recently, Towers Gymnasium and Health Club has been built on the road between Clapham and Bedford. It has a Swimming Pool, Sauna, Tennis court and gym equipment.
Twinwoods hosts an annual Folk Music Festival, called the Twinwoods Festival, typically over the August Bank Holiday weekend.