Campaigning in Bletsoe
I visited Bletsoe today, along with members of my campaign team. We met many local residents who were keen to raise a variety of issues with us, including travellers' sites, education and consideration for the rural areas.
Bletsoe is one of the smaller parish councils in the Borough. The Parish Council was formed in 1894. In 2004 it had 116 residences and a population of 270. This consisted of 216 adults listed on the published electoral roll together with 54 persons under the age of 17.
The village was mentioned in the Doomsday Book produced in 1086. The entry was then called BLECHESHOU with a recorded population of 16, being Countess Judith, three freemen, seven villagers, two smallholders and three serfs.
It was linked with the Tudor Monarchy. Margaret Beaufort was born at Bletsoe Castle in 1441. Margaret was the mother of Henry VII who was crowned King of England after the War of the Roses. Both Elizabeth I and James I were frequent visitors to Bletsoe.