This unprepossessing white single-storey building was once the social centre of Shefford.

The photo was taken just before it was demolished but in its heyday it housed a skating rink, dance hall, full-size swimming pool, a billiard room with four tables and a restaurant.

It was built in 1936-37 opposite the bridge going out towards Hitchin, but in 1945 it was seized by the MOD to house 400-500 soldiers during the Second World War.

If you look closely, you can still see some of the barbed wire which was erected around it at the far right.

The soldiers who were based there had to load ammunition and mobilise tanks for D-Day but they also found time for social pursuits such as church parade every Sunday and a hockey team – the Shefford Lions.

John Gudgin, who sent in the photo, said: "There was more
entertainment then in Shefford than there is now and we have twice the population!"

This story appeared in Memory Lane on January 1, 2010.