Jack Preston

The Former Schools of Old Kettering

History is all around us, the past leaves footprints everywhere. Scattered across Kettering are old buildings which were once schools… Types of Schools + A Timeline of the Schooling System If you want to skip this section, click here. 1530s onwards – Parish Instruction Parish priests or curates were expected to teach boys the catechism… Continue reading The Former Schools of Old Kettering

The Public Ponds of Old Kettering

Kettering once featured several wash ponds for cleaning horses, which were phased out due to mechanization and improved water access. Notable ponds included Newland Pond, Glover’s Pond, and Northall Pond, each faced removal during Vestry Meetings as water services advanced.

Queen Victoria’s Tour of Northamptonshire

In November 1844, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were invited to Burghley House. This was for the Christening of the Marquess and Marchioness of Exeter’s daughter, named Victoria. As there were limited train lines at that point, the closest they could arrive by rail was Weedon, Northamptonshire. Having departed from Euston Station and stopping at… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s Tour of Northamptonshire

When Dickens came to Kettering

There are a number of streets in Kettering which are named after famous authors. But there’s only one who’s been known to visit our town. Near Dickens Drive are Foyle Close and Copperfield Close: Foyle Close could be named after Foyles, a London bookshop founded by William Foyle, a big fan of Dickens. Copperfield Close… Continue reading When Dickens came to Kettering

The Great Fires of Kettering

Kettering experienced two significant fires, one in 1744 and another in 1766, both devastating the town and shaping its architectural landscape.

Kettering Bridewell

Bridewell Lane runs off Horsemarket, past the establishment currently called The Sound Bar. What is a Bridewell? A bridewell, or house of correction, was part of the justice system. Prisons were rarely used as a punishment in their own right. They were generally used for people in debt, or those awaiting execution. So instead of… Continue reading Kettering Bridewell