Woburn Sands - Bedfordshire
Posted by: 
Norfolk12
N 52° 00.716 W 000° 38.845
30U E 661452 N 5764978
A weathered Sign by the Village Hall in Woburn Sands.
The sign shows the railway station and level crossing with a horse drawn carriage.
Waymark Code: WMA25B
Location: Eastern England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 11/04/2010
Views: 4
The village name was originally Hogsty End, one of Wavendon's four 'ends' (along with Church End, Cross End and Lower End) but by Victorian times, this un-picturesque name had fallen out of favour, and Woburn Sands had taken over as the accepted name. There is a local story that a schoolmaster was unable to attract business to his "Hogsty End Academy", and was one of the first to promote the use of the new name, but in fact it had been in use before this. The modern place name is related to nearby Woburn in Bedfordshire, and to the sandy local soil resulting from its proximity to the Greensand Ridge, an escarpment of Greensand.
This area had a reputation as a health spa because of the micro-climate, and people would come from far and wide to "take the airs". Several convalescent homes were built locally.
Occasion Commemorated: none listed
Location: On the high Street by the Village Hall.
Plaque: yes
Construction Material: Carved Wood on post with stones at base.
Artist: designed and built by Amber Signs
Web Address: [Web Link]
Sign Date: Not listed
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