Cosgrove - The top of the High Street & Bakery

The top of the High Street/Main Street & Bakery

1884 O. S. map showing the High Street

Marked in red is the site where the cottages that were burnt down once stood

View of what was left after the fire 1st November 1902

Buckingham Advertiser November 8^th 1902

A fire occurred at Cosgrove on Saturday morning involving the total destruction of two cottages occupied by two widows, Mrs Allen and Mrs. Toombs. The outbreak was first observed on the thatched roof, and spread with alarming rapidity, making its way downstairs. The inhabitants of the village were soon helping in the removal of the furniture, the bedsteads alone being left. Meanwhile the position got serious, and in response to telegrams the Stony Stratford Brigade and the Wolverton Works Brigade were summoned and arrived at 12 and 12.30. With a splendid supply of water available from the canal the fire at once began to get under control. Fortunately it was located to the two cottages concerned, though steps had previously been taken to prevent it spreading. At one o’clock all danger was over, the cottages being completely burnt out. The cottages were owned by Mr. Jonah Brown. The loss is estimated at £150. It is supposed the fire arose through children throwing a match on the roof.

The top of the High Street in the early 1900s

Cosgrove Hall Estate Sale 1919

LOT 18

(Coloured Blue on Plan Inset).

Three Stone-built Cottages

together with Gardens with long Frontage to Cosgrove Village Street, being Pt. No. 222 on Plan,
covering an area of about

1r. 10p.

each Cottage contains Four Rooms, they are all in hand and will be sold with possession on completion.

Tithe Free.

Land Tax, 1s. in £ on the Assessment.

Cosgrove Bakery

Painting of the Bakery 1992
This 17th Century former village bakery, standing in Main Street, has been a focal point in the village for generations and when the Grand Union canal was cut through the village in 1800 the bakery was an important staging post for the canal bargees to purchase rations and stable their horses. At about the time of increased trade the bakehouse oven was enlarged to cater for the canal people. The bakery continued to trade until the commercial business on the canal ceased. The last bread was baked in 1964.

	Old Mail June 1986 “When my father and I came to take over the bread business in the Old Post Office, the bread van which was then in use was a 1919 model, sent from Birmingham by rail and the ignition through the post. It was so old and so bad. Many times I had to use a reverse gear to climb up the Canal bridge to get onto the level road. As for starting – it was completely hit and miss! The ultimate way was to jack up one of the rear wheels, use the starting handle and then be careful it didn’t fall off the jack! But a good advert for Fords!! The old place those days was supplied with water by the wind pump, and to use it, my father used to charge one shilling per year to keep it in repair. Cheap enough. But the interesting thing about the water well was that I should think it was 40 yards deep and 6 feet across and lined with what I should think were lime stones, which is most unusual. I’m guessing that the well was 400 years old. Another most unusual thing was that on about three or four occasions a man came down Bridge Road carrying a bucket. He would stop, turn the bucket upside down and sing on it, standing on his hands. Then he would go round the houses with his hand out. They probably gave him something to get rid of him. I didn’t see this actually happen but the story was widespread.” By Mr and Mrs Norman of Stratford Road


Taking the Sunday dinner down to Cosgrove bakehouse for cooking which cost 3d. A. Andrews, Sid Eglesfield, his daughter Janet, Sandy Key, Ted Eglesfield, Olive Eglesfield.

Ref:	Date	Occupant
Kelly's Directory	1847	Thomas Cane , baker & grocer
Whellan History of Northamptonshire	1849	Thos. Cane baker & grocer
Kelly's Directory	1854	Thomas Cane , baker & shopkeeper
Census	1861	Thomas Cane
Kelly's Directory	1869	Thomas Cane , baker & shopkeeper
Census	1871	Joseph Barker
Census	1871	Matthew Willison ?
Census	1881	Joseph Barker
Kelly's Directory	1890	Willison Mary (Mrs.), baker
Census	1891	Timothy Whitlock Wake (stepson Fred Canvin Willison)
Kelly's Directory	1894	Timothy W. Wake, baker
Kelly's Directory	1898	Arthur J. Jelley, baker, Post Office
Census	1901	Fred A Jelley Postmaster - Baker
Kelly's Directory	1903	Arthur J. Jelley baker, Post Office
Kelly's Directory	1906	Arthur J. Jelley baker, Post Office
Census	1910	Arthur F. Jelley baker, Post Office
Kelly's Directory	1911	Arthur Fredrick Jelley - Baker & Farmer Postmaster
Kelly's Directory	1914	Malcolm Eckford Jelley, baker, Post Office
Kelly's Directory	1920	Malcolm Eckford Jelley, baker, Post Office
Kelly's Directory	1931	Alfred Wm. Norman, baker & Post Office
Kelly's Directory	1940	Alfred Wm. Norman, baker & Post Office