was minister and he was followed by William Edward Coupland who undertook many improvements to the premises during his 34 years term as minister. The church was without a minister from 1906 to 1910 when the post was given to Edwin Palmer until 1914. Subsequent ministers were as follows: W Robinson 1915 to 1918 Alfred Martindale 1918 to 1926 William Fletcher 1927 to 1931 E Arthur Shand 1931 to 1936 during which time the church was upgraded from oil lamps to electric lighting Edward Skilton 1937 to 1958 retiring after 56 years in the ministry, 21 of them at Yardley Hastings Edgar Preston 1958 to 1964 The chapel, together with the manse and ancillary buildings, were converted into the National Youth Resource Centre of the United Reformed Church in 1991. The buildings ceased to be used for this purpose in 2003, and are now the "Crossways Retreat and Conference Centre" initiated under the auspices of the East Midlands Synod of the United Reformed Church. The Manor House just north of the parish church has the remains of the hall of Hastings Mansion of ca. 1320–1340. The old Rectory in the north of the village is dated 1701. Governance The local parish council is Yardley Hastings Parish Council. Sport A greyhound racing track was opened off the Bedford Road in c.1934. The racing was independent (not affiliated to the sports governing body the National Greyhound Racing Club) and was known as a flapping track, which was the nickname given to independent tracks. The small 500 capacity venue closed in 1949. References External links War Memorial details Villages in Northamptonshire Civil parishes in Northamptonshire West Northamptonshire District