Knights of old - sort of

Duxford Chapel is the stone building to be found next to the red lion hotel near Whittlesford station and is about 800 years old. It is believed to be the last building of a large medieval hospital and its history features in eminent historian and Whittlesford resident Peter Spufford's account of the development of Whittlesford Bridge.

It is a historic building currently in the care of English Heritage who have an arrangement with the district council regarding maintenance and access. That said, it is two Whittlesford residents who actually keep the chapel open and cared for so visitors and people passing by can take a look.

Inside the building the chapel is bare and there is no lighting or heat. It was used a few years back as the venue for a welcoming party for those Whittlesford residents living on the A505 side of Royston and Station Roads when the parish boundary changed to bring them in this village. Other than that it stands empty most of the time.

Now the parish council has been asked by the district council if it cam think of ways to make more community use of the building and possibly become the partner with English Heritage. The parish council is giving this careful thought in terms of understanding what commitments might be brought with this responsibility. And given the grade 11* listing of the building there isn't too much we can do with it. Other similar buildings have been used for occasional concerts during the summer months - and with the Red Lion next door this might be an attractive option. We also think that there is more that could be done to help visitors understand and appreciate the building - at the moment there is a short leaflet.

The parish council welcomes any thoughts and ideas from Whittlesford residents. Do go and have a look too, and imagine what it was like when the Knights Hospitallers of old were there !

Peter topping
Chairman of Whittlesford parish council