URPoint Details
The village name appeared in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Bidenham and although it lies so close to Bedford, it still retains its rural charm with thatched cottages, old farm buildings and footpaths leading to the river.
The building of the church started in the 12th century has four periods of architecture including, Norman, Early English, Decorated and Perpendicular.
Two bells have been donated making a peal of eight bells.
The font is 15th century with octagonal stem and bowl and there are leper’s squints – small apertures to enable the congregation in the side aisles to see the altar.
In olden times the village folk observed a quaint old custom each year on 22nd September. A procession went round the village, the leader carrying a white rabbit decorated with a scarlet ribbon in honour of St Agatha. All the young unmarried women who chanced to meet the procession extended the first two fingers on the left hand and pointing to the rabbit recited ‘Gustin, Gustin (St Augustine) lacks a bier, maidens, maidens bury him here’. They were then supposed to receive a mental picture of their future husband. This was a ceremony said to date back to time of the first Crusade.
In
- Type:
- Landmark