The 1950s

In September 1951 the rail crash occurred just outside the Stowe tunnel. 15 people died and 36 were injured. Villagers went to help the casualties. In the same year the letting of the Green for the grazing of cows ceased. In 1952 the mains water and sewage were connected to the village. This marked the end of the need for the four village 'taps' and the Friday night 'toilet cart'. At the request of the British Legion the railings were removed from around the war memorial. 1953 saw the coronation of Queen Elizabeth, and the Parish Council organized the planting of Acacia and May trees along 'Coronation Avenue' between the two halves of the Green.

In 1953 George Warr succeeded Mr Woods as headmaster. In 1955 David Browning died and the running of the post office was taken over by his daughter Nen Blaney. In 1958 Vic Watson and his wife Molly took over the butchers and slaughterhouse from Frank Capel.

In 1952 the Heyford Scout Troop was formed by Mr Woods and Bert Wilkinson. They went onto win the soap box derby at Morecambe. In 1955 the cub pack was formed by Bert Wilkinson and George Warr. In 1957 the Darby and Joan club was formed. During the 1950s the Jubilee Hall became unusable as a social meeting place, but in 1958 work began on the construction of the Village Hall.

In 1956 the school became one for infants and juniors only. The seniors had to go to school in Duston. It was another 12 years before Campion School was opened in Bugbrooke.

During the late 1950s construction of the M1 motorway began. Some of its waste was used to fill in the old clay pits at the brickworks. The route of the A45 into Northampton was altered to accommodate the bridge at junction 16, and in 1959 the motorway was opened.