George and his family Jesse Lane Long CrendonLong Crendon Baptist Chapel where it appears many of the Blincoe’s attendedLong Crendon High StGeorge was Carter on a farm during the years before he married and this experience must have enabled him to get a job in the 1860’s driving a Brewery Dray Long Crendon Photo Copyright Bucks CCAnother farm scene where the Carter waits for the hay load to be completed before taking it to the barn Copyright Bucks CCSon Arthur was born at Cuddington in 1864 and we can speculate that George found employment here and that the family were here for a short time before moving on to Leighton Buzzard Photo C1950Cuddington about 1903George arrived in Leighton Buzzard in the 1860’s and at the time the town’s first bank was built, the town began to grow following the arrival of the London and North Western Railway at Linslade in 1838. This bank building shown in the drawing was taken over by Barclays and continues to-day to be a Barclays Bank. (Colour pencil Drawing by Roger Blinko ) Please do not copy without permission of creatorGeorge moved to Leighton Buzzard sometime between 1865-1867 as evidenced by birth of Emily Blinco in that year and lived ther until his death in 1922. Photo of Lake St Leighton Buzzard. The Corn Exchange shown here was built in this period replacing Leightons earliest pub the St George and the Dragon.1871 Census. Age 32 living at Back Lane, Leighton Buzzard with family, occupation Draymen.George and family were living on Bassett Rd from before 1881 to after 1901. The location close to the Grand Union Canal and the High St.The site of the Brewery that George most likely worked for in Leighton Buzzard. The Ashdown Brothers (Richard Gibson and Levi) took over the operation of the brewery in 1871, and leased in from Joseph Proctor (presumed son of Joseph). By 1876 they has a tied estate consisting of the following:The Bell: Apsley Guise George & Dragon: Leighton BuzzardDukes Head: Heath & Reach The Peacock: Leighton BuzzardChequers: Houghton Regis The Roebuck: Leighton BuzzardRed Cow: Postsgrove The Sun: Leighton BuzzardGeorge & Dragon: Standbridge Traveller’s Rest: Leighton BuzzardThe Cross Keys: Leighton BuzzardC1871-after 1901 Brewers Drayman – While George would have probably started with horse drawn transport he would have seen both Steam and Motor Vehilce in his 30 plus years as a draymanA motor driven Dray Truck of the early 20th CNorth St Leighton BuzzardThe Co-operative Store Leighton BuzxardBassett Rd 1939 Ordinance Survey map
