CROMWELL’S REST
The remains of a folly are to be found on
the crest of the ridge between St Mary’s Church and Storey Farm (TL 22275267).
It was
a 25-feet high full moon gate with seats
inside and known locally as Cromwell’s Rest. (Article and photograph in
Biggleswade Chronicle
18th November 1988 p.41) A
similar moongate, or more correctly a lunette, was erected in the grounds of
Gamlingay Park, a few kilometres to the east. Details are found in the account
of Footpath 8 Park Lane.
Local gossip has it that Cromwell’s Rest was
built on the site where Oliver Cromwell pitched his tent as he marched south to
London during the
Civil War. The County Archivist, Charles
Pickford, doubted its Cromwellian origin and considered it an 18th century
folly associated
with the Astell’s Everton House. There were
beautiful views westwards of the sunsets over Tempsford and the Ivel Valley.
Wally Smith, past Everton school governor, said that the spot was a favourite
for courting couples but that it was largely demolished during the Second
World War. It probably affected the
take-off and landing of the pilots stationed on Tempsford Airfield. A line of
elm trees from
Hasells Hall to Woodbury Hall were cut down for that purpose.