I was born in Flitwick when it was a sleepy village (and two of my uncles worked at Bedford shed for the LMS)
Flitwick has changed a little.
Around the late 70's/early 80's I used to do the Henlow 10, which I think either went through or maybe finished in Flitwick. I managed to get under the hour on one occasion.
I can't remember whether Flitwick was sleepy or not!