Latest News and Newsletters

The Potton Town Council Newsletter is published quarterly and the Town Council will keep you informed on this page of any latest news between Newsletters.

On-Call Firefighter Potton July 15, 2025
Join Bedfordshire Fire Service as an On-Call Firefighter!

Do you want to be part of a close-knit team? Are you eager to gain unique skills and make a real difference in your community? Looking for a job that offers extra income and fits around your work and family commitments.

If so, apply now

Role of an On-Call Firefighter?

On-Call Firefighters respond to various operational incidents and contribute to Community Safety initiatives aimed at reducing fires, accidents, and associated injuries. They carry a pager and respond to emergency incidents as and when they happen and work alongside other dedicated professionals and community groups.

Many on-call firefighters have primary jobs and therefore provide evening, daytime, or weekend cover. When they are on call, they may be at home, working from home, working for themselves or for a nearby company, or out in their local community – staying within a six-minute travel time of the fire station (or eight-minute travel time for Woburn fire station).

For more details about the post click here.
Planning Appeal – Land North of Sandy Road July 14, 2025

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990

APPEAL UNDER SECTION 78

Site address: Land North of Sandy Road, Sandy Road, Potton
Description of development: Outline Application: Outline planning permission is sought with all matters reserved for future determination, save for the means of access via Sandy Road, for: up to 125 dwellings (Use Class C3, comprising market and affordable dwellings, including bungalows), site access and highway works, green infrastructure including sustainable drainage, ecological habitats, children’s play areas and amenity green space, and ancillary works.
Appellant’s name: Hallam Land Management Limited
Appeal reference: APP/P0240/W/25/3363912
Application reference: CB/24/02185/OUT

A Public Inquiry into the above appeal will take place on 19th August 2025 for 4 days at Central Bedfordshire Council, Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, Beds SG17 5TQ starting at 10am.

This is an entirely “In-Person” event only.
The appear will be determined on the basis of a Public Inquiry. The procedure to be followed is set out in the Town and Country Planning (England) Rules 2000.

You may attend the Public Inquiry, and as a person who may be interested in the appeal you may, at the Secretary of State’s Inspector’s discretion, make your views known.

If you, or anyone you know has a disability and is concerned about facilities at the Hearing venue, contact Central Bedfordshire Council Planning.Appeals@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk to confirm suitable provisions are in place.

Documents relating to the appeal can be viewed on the Central Bedfordshire Council website
http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/planning-register (enter the application reference CB/24/02185/OUT into the search box).

You can view and download the Planning Inspectorate’s guidance “taking part in an appeal” from the Planning Inspectorate website at
www.gov.uk.government/collections/taking-part-in-a-planning-listed-building-or-enforcement-appeal.

When made, the decision will be published on the Planning Inspectorate’s website www.gov.uk/appeal-planning-inspectorate.
Local Neighbourhood Team visit 20th July – Market Square, Potton June 30, 2025
Your local Neighbourhood team will be at Potton Market Square on Sunday 20th July from 3pm – 5pm. We will be at this location for 30 minutes before patrolling the town. Please take this opportunity to raise any concerns you may have and to find out what we are doing to tackle the issues that matter to you.

Everyone is welcome and it would be great to see you there. Dogs are more than welcome to come along; in fact, I insist on it. If you would like to contact me beforehand, we can arrange to meet during this time.

Please bear in mind that as a front-line police officer I may be called away on a job before or during the event, if this happens, I will try and let you know at the earliest possible time.

Message Sent By
Lauren Jerrom
(Bedfordshire Police, PCSO, Biggleswade)
Thanks to PottonFest donors and supporters June 23, 2025
Potton Town Council Chairman, Cllr Vicki Gwilliam wishes to recognise and thank the donors, supporters and volunteers of PottonFest which took place on Saturday 21st June 2025.

Thanks go to Anna’s Flowers, Bell Groundworks, Breedon Quarry, Cameron’s Newsagents, Clayton’s Butchers, Hashtag Mechanic, Highland Group, Party on Potton, Potton Food Store, Potton Post Office, Secret Farm and Tesco Express, along with all the stallholders who attended.

Huge thanks goes to the event MC – Mr Ken Burgin.

PottonFest was a huge success; thanks to everyone who came along – we hope you had a great time!
Potton Cemetery Footpath Refurbishment June 18, 2025
As reported on page 4 of the October 2024 edition of the newsletter, a second phase of path tarmacking is planned.

The contractor will commence work on Monday 23rd June 2025, which will take approximately two weeks to complete.

To allow the work to go ahead, burials and ashes interments at the Cemetery will not take place during the two weeks.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused whilst works are carried out.
Please avoid lighting bonfires June 2, 2025

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Fire safety urged during warm, dry weather in Bedfordshire.

Bedfordshire is experiencing an unseasonably warm and sunny spell, leading to dry conditions across fields, grasslands, and undergrowth. With large areas of vegetation now dry and highly susceptible to ignition, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) is urging residents to exercise extra caution when using fire pits and bonfires during this period.

Group Commander and Head of Prevention and Protection, Rob Hulatt, highlighted the increasing risk of fires during these dry conditions, and said: “Over the past two weeks we’ve seen a noticeable rise in outdoor fires. These are often as a result of bonfires and other outdoor fire use. This often leads to our crews spending significant time dealing with situations that could easily be prevented. With the warm weather, we know people will want to enjoy the outdoors, but it’s vital that we do so safely to help prevent avoidable fires.”

The combination of higher-than-normal temperatures and dry ground creates the perfect conditions for fires to spread quickly. Even something as seemingly harmless as improperly discarded cigarette butts, a disposable barbecue on grass, or glass bottles left in the sun can trigger a fire that spreads rapidly.

BFRS is strongly advising residents to refrain from lighting bonfires and garden fires during this dry period. These fires can easily get out of control, spreading to nearby buildings, fences, and vegetation, causing significant damage and posing serious risks to public safety.

Simple steps to prevent outdoor fires:
• Properly dispose of cigarettes: Ensure they are completely extinguished before disposing of them and never throw them on grass verges or vegetation.
• Keep BBQs safe: Place disposable BBQs on bricks rather than directly on grass and keep them away from buildings and fences. Make sure BBQs are completely cool before disposing of the ash.
• Avoid bonfires: During dry conditions, please consider using local recycling centres for unwanted rubbish and waste instead of lighting a bonfire.

For quicker emergency response, BFRS recommends downloading the free what3words app, which helps pinpoint your location in hard-to-find areas.

By taking these simple precautions, we can all enjoy the warm weather safely and help prevent unnecessary fires.
VE Day 80 May 14, 2025

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Potton Town Council hosted a day of moving and memorable events on Thursday 8th May 2025, to mark 80 years since Victory in Europe.

The day started at 9am with the Town Crier reading the VE Day 80 Proclamation in the Market Square.

The evening started with bell ringing at St Mary’s Church – Ringing Out in Celebration.

Later in the evening in the Market Square, 1940’s music was played, with the main event starting with an introduction from the Master of Ceremonies – Denis Ellison, Vice-Chairman of Events Committee. The Town Crier repeated the VE Day 80 Proclamation; the Beacon was lit by Major Simon Sadler TD VR DL; and the VE Day 80 Tribute was read by Retired Navy Captain David Tall RN OBE, Potton Youth Councillor Sam and Potton Town Council Chairman Councillor Vicki Gwilliam. Potton’s town choirs joined the Nation to sing the hymn I Vow To Thee My Country, lead by Dr Douglas Coombes MBE and accompanied by pianist Mrs Ronnie White. Prayers were read by the Revd. Alex Wheatley, St Mary’s Church. At the end of the evening, everyone joined together to sing the National Anthem, and Vera Lynn’s We’ll Meet Again.

Potton Town Council wishes to thank all who attended the VE Day 80 Celebrations, and all who helped to organise the event.
War Memorial May 2, 2025

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The War Memorial at Potton Cemetery was recently steam cleaned and the letters have been repainted black.
Council mourns the loss of Peter Langridge April 10, 2025

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The flag on the Library is flying at half mast as a sign of respect and mourning.

Potton Town Council is saddened to hear of the death of former councillor, chairman and freeman Peter Langridge. Peter passed away in hospital on Thursday 20th March.

Peter served as a member of the Town Council for over 20 years and amassed a wealth of knowledge and experience. Even after his retirement as a councillor he was still on hand to advise and support and always took an interest in the Town Council activities and Civic events. He was Chairman of Potton Town Council for several years. In recognition of his years of service and dedication to the town Peter was made a Freeman of Potton at a Special meeting of Potton Town Council earlier this month.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

Peter’s funeral details are above.
Community Payback March 31, 2025

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The Probation Service was back in Potton on Saturday 29th March with the Community Payback team carrying out cleaning and tidying in Potton. Fifty bags filled. Our thanks go out to all involved in making Potton’s pathways much safer for pedestrians.

Newsletters

Each publication has been compiled and published by Potton Town Council who are the owners of the copyright. No reproduction is permitted without the express permission of the Council. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the various entries within this publication. In no circumstances can Potton Town Council accept any liability for any loss or damage of any kind which may arise as a result from any error in, or omission of, any entry, artwork or telephone number. The editorial content is not necessarily the views of the Council.

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