Some of the earliest evidence of a settlement was found within the current village boundaries in the form of flint axes and arrow heads labelled OAK(ley)and EAM(cdonald), which were dated to c. 7000–6000 BC.

Oakley also featured in the Domesday book, and again before the Norman conquest, where the land was held by an Oswulf, a thane (companion) of King Edward.

In 1166 AD, the lord of the manor was recorded as being one Simon de Bosard, and his brother was known to have had connections with the town now known as Leighton Buzzard.

In 1278, a Richard de Bosard had no male heir, but his daughter married Thomas Reynes who took over Oakley thanks to his wife.

1349 saw the Black Death strike the village, and three vicars died in quick succession, D. Walter, John Marshall and Robert Fox all perishing in that year.

[3] It is possible that after the Civil War had ended, the members of the losing side were made to pay heavily for their part in the conflict.

In 1671 a window tax was introduced in the reign of Charles II, which inter alia recorded the population of Oakley as being 255 souls.

It served as a hunting box for successive dukes, being just a small fraction of the size of their main seat thirteen miles away at Woburn.

It gave its name to Oakley Square near Camden Town in London which was developed in the nineteenth century from land owned by the Dukes of Bedford.

The 7th Duke decided to build new cottages for the Estate tenants, and these were constructed of the best materials available to avoid needless repairs in the future.

The 11th Duke had served in Egypt, and he set up a military training camp in Ampthill Park at his own expense.

This, together with the expenditure on the estate, exceeded the income, and together with increased taxation occasioned by the war, forced him to reduce his land holdings.

The Parish Council now look very closely at any new developments proposed within the village environs, and in the main planning is only permitted for individual properties.

The Club also has links with neighbouring Lincroft School, sharing facilities and a desire to increase opportunities for youth cricket in the local area.

In 2014, Pilgrims Oakley received Clubmark accreditation from the ECB, recognition that it met various national standards.