De Parys
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| De Parys | |
| Population | 5,369 [1] |
|---|---|
| District | Bedford |
| Shire county | Bedfordshire |
| Region | East |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BEDFORD |
| Police | Bedfordshire |
| Fire | Bedfordshire and Luton |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| European Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament | Bedford |
| List of places: UK • England • Bedfordshire | |
De Parys is an electoral ward and area within the town of Bedford, Bedfordshire, England.
The boundaries of De Parys are (roughly) Polhill Avenue and Brickhill to the north and east, Goldington Road and Castle to the south, with De Parys Avenue and Harpur to the west.
The Devon Park and Saints neighbourhoods are within De Parys ward, as is the Bedford campus of the University of Bedfordshire..
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[edit] History
Bedford's Workhouse was established in the area in the 18th Century. The west and central parts of De Parys were urbanised by the end of the 19th Century. It was during this time that Bedford School located to the area, and Bedford Park was established. [2]
The Bedford Training College for Teachers (later, Bedford College of Education) was established on Polhill Avenue in 1882. The eastern part of De Parys was developed later, in the 1960's. It was at this time that the old workhouse building became part of Bedford Hospital. In 1976 Bedford College of Education merged with other colleges to form Bedford College of Higher Education. This in turn became De Montfort University in 1994. [3]
In 2006 the Bedford arm of De Montfort University and the University of Luton formed the University of Bedfordshire. The Bedford Campus has seen significant investment since then, including new student accommodation, a new library and new theatre. There has now been a college of Higher Education on Polhill Avenue in the De Parys area for over 125 years. [4]
[edit] Politics
De Parys is an Unparished area, with all community services under the direct control of Bedford Borough Council. De Parys elects 2 councillors to Bedford Borough Council, currently 1 Conservative and 1 Liberal Democrat. Finally De Parys elects one councillor to Bedfordshire County Council, that councillor is also a Conservative.
[edit] Local Amenities
There is a small Budgens supermarket and Post Office located on Kimbolton Road. This is also where the old workhouse building is located. Bedford Hospital is currently re-developing the site to become the Bedford Health Village.
The Bedford Blues Rugby Club is situated on Goldington Road in the area. There are also offices, pubs, convenience stores and a Bowling Green along Goldington Road.
Bedford Park is located in the north-west of De Parys. It is the main open space for the area. There is also the old Bedford Cemetery located next to the park. Robinson Pool a municipal swimming pool is situated on Park Avenue.
The University of Bedfordshire Theatre is a located in the area. The venue hosts a variety of plays and productions, and is one of the largest theatres in Bedfordshire.
[edit] Education
St John Rigby Lower School is located on Polhill Avenue. The school is Roman Catholic, and does not have a catchment area. Lower School age children in De Parys usually attend schools in Brickhill or Harpur . Newnham Middle School, also on Polhill Avenue is the area's Middle School. Graduating students usually go on to attend Biddenham Upper School. [5]
There are two independent schools in the area - Bedford School located on De Parys Avenue, and St Andrew's School situated on Kimbolton Road.
The University of Bedfordshire (Bedford Campus) is siutated on Polhill Avenue on the edge of the neighbourhood. The university attracts students from all over the UK as well as local and international students, with many choosing to live in De Parys as well as study there. The University has been selected as an official training site for the London 2012 Olympics. [6]
[edit] Places of Worship
There are three churches in De Parys - St Andrew's (Church of England) Church and the First Church of Christ, Scientist, both of which are located on Kimbolton Road. Finally St Peter's Church, Bedford (Anglican) is located on St Peters Street.
[edit] References
- ^ Neighbourhood Statistics
- ^ http://www.localhistories.org/bedford.html 'A brief history of Bedford' by Tim Lambert
- ^ http://www.beds.ac.uk/aboutus/history,/ 'History and Locations'
- ^ http://www.beds.ac.uk/aboutus/history,/ 'History and Locations'
- ^ http://bedfordshire.gov.uk/EducationAndLearning/SchoolAdmissions/SchoolCatchmentAreas.aspx 'Bedfordshire School Catchment Areas'
- ^ Bedfordshire to host Olympic training camps - Bedford Today
