The secret’s out about Buntingford
Above: Picturesque Buntingford
SHROUDED in history with reminders of its past at every corner, visiting Buntingford is almost like stepping back in time. But its bustling market and flourishing town centre bring you firmly back to the present day where it is almost unique to see a traditional town survive with its independence.
Located in the north of the county just south of Royston on the London to York Road, the once important stage coach stop is often unwittingly missed by visitors to the region, and forgotten by residents of the county. And if you look a bit deeper you can see why the residents are passionate about keeping their beloved town undiscovered.
It provides them with everything they need, from great schooling to a vibrant social scene, while having the pleasure of living in a traditional and reasonably quiet town. And with its great links to the outside world, including mainline stations at nearby Stevenage and Royston, more and more people are opting for the comfortable town life over a hectic city existence.
Ray Godfrey lives just outside Buntingford in nearby Anstey but has been an estate agent in the town for around four years, currently working for Churchills on the High Street. He explains, ‘We have a lot of people wanting to get out of urbanisation because they’re fed up with the noise and pollution of inner cities. They want to move out for a better quality of life, and that really is what you get in Buntingford. There’s a lot of history here to feel part of and it’s not over developed, offering a mixture of cottages, converted alms houses and stables along with family houses and a smattering of flats. A lot of people tend to go straight past Buntingford, but those who do discover it love it.’
The town centre provides a visitor with a handful of country-style pubs, a delightful collection of boutiques and enough history to keep you raising your eyebrows all afternoon. The local authority, Buntingford Town Council, aptly homed in the 17th century Manor House on Market Hill, works hard to preserve the town while letting it prosper. Home to what is thought to be a unique 16th century turret one-handed clock, you can let yourself be transported to a different time in this quaint town.
The winding lanes along the side of the River Rib dotted with old thatched cottages, matched with the Victorian style tea rooms like Delissimo Delicatessen & Coffee Rooms along the High Street and the traditional swinging town signpost, remind any visitor of typical English life. It seems this pleasant and idyllic town can be whatever you make it.
Bridewell Close resident Derek Cooper has been the chairman of the town’s Civic Society for four years but has been a member for around 25. Derek, 72, reveals the secret to part of the town’s beauty. ‘The society was formed after a building in the town was left to fall into disrepair and lost. It upset a lot of people who said this must not happen again and we now have around 500 individual adult members in the society. It just shows the huge amount of civic pride and feeling of community spirit in this wonderfully historic town. It genuinely is there.
‘It’s an exceptionally well developed town for a small area. We’re not dominated by supermarkets and chain shops yet we have not had the decline of shops that other places have seen. I want to see it continue to grow into a vibrant, social and sophisticated town which is attracting more young and ambitious people.’
But the Civic Society is just one of the organisations that cares for the fabric and quality of the town. The many active clubs and societies are what keep the town alive. From the ruthless Buntingford Football Club fighting their way to the top, to the Railway and Local History Society working hard to keep the town’s colourful past prominent – they all help in its promotion. And the pride and community in the town is evident from the weekly Monday market to the bi-annual carnival.
Though it may appear like it’s standing still at first glance, the charming Buntingford is leading the way in town life.
Article taken from January issue of Hertfordshire Life