The Great Fire 22nd September 1899

The date was a Friday afternoon, a fire started at Bury Farm it destroyed farm buildings, a house and six thatched cottages. The cause, sparks from a threshing machine carried by wind to straw stacks nearby. A national paper described it as "a Village Ablaze", but due to the prompt action of the Shefford Fire Brigade this was not the case but 29 persons were made homeless.

When the Brigade arrived they had to concentrate there efforts on stopping the fire from spreading. The team which saved most of the top of the village that day were, Captain Johnson, Foreman Charles Johnson, Fireman H. Vickers, W. Trigg, A. Haddow, E. Tingay and V. Smith. Also included were villagers and strangers alike, amongst whom were Police Sergeant Hull, and PC Maddams, who helped to save persons and property.

Later the Hitchin and Biggleswade Fire Brigade arrived but it was under control and Biggleswade was left to extinguish what was left. Relays of Shefford Brigade were on duty for several days after and so much water at the time was pumped from the two Rectory moats, it was thought that unless a lot of rain fell in the winter, Meppershall would suffer a shortage.

The farm belonged to Mr. Long of Stondon, who lost a valuable horse, which had arrived on that day.

Living in the farmhouse at the time was the Rev Nelson Wanklyn, who was shortly to move to Shillington, some of his belongings had already gone. However the bulk of his possessions were lost, including his large library, as only the bare walls of the house survived and a bedstead which fell into the cellar. His children were out with the maid but his wife, who was ill in bed was rescued by passers-by. they eventually were given temporary accommodation with the church warden, Mr. Surridge.

Three cottages were owned by Mr. Abel Kempson and rented to Eliza Ansell, John Izzard with his family and William Carter with his son. Three others were owned by Mr. G. Simkins of Shillington and rented to James Millard with his family, Sarah Martin, and James Simonds with his family. They lost all that they owned, and were taken in by local families, 1 however went to Shillington. Other neighbours had there homes ruined by water

A relief fund was set up amongst sightseers, also in Bedford and Hitchin Markets and several local churches gave the following Sunday’s collection to the fund.