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.

  • Potton Help Groups awarded Certificates of Appreciation July 21, 2020

    The Potton Community Support Group and the Potton Good Neighbour Scheme have been awarded Certificates of Appreciation by the HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis in recognition of all the help and support provided to the local community during the Coronavirus pandemic.  You can click the links above to see the certificates.

    Congratulations to all involved!

  • Play areas (including skatepark and outdoor gym) to reopen July 3, 2020
    Slide 1

    The play areas in Potton (including the skatepark and outdoor gym in Henry Smith Playing Fields and Mill Lane Recreation Ground) have been closed for some time now, in line with the Government’s coronavirus guidance.  The Government has now announced that outdoor play areas can reopen from 4th July 2020 ‘where safe to do so’.

    When lock down began, the play areas were closed, with grass deliberately left uncut to discourage use.  Sites were locked via a combination of cable ties and padlocks, as well as signage.   Our grass cutting contractor, CGM has cut the grass in play area, skatepark and outdoor gym in preparation, however this doesn’t mean sites are open once cut.  They will remain closed until the 4th July 2020.

    The town council would like a to say a big thank you to all the children in the town who have been abiding by the rules put in place to keep everyone safe by not using our playgrounds (including the skatepark) for the past few months.    Thank you also to the adults in the town who have been abiding by the same rules by not using the skatepark and outdoor gym.   We know this has been hard and I am sure you are pleased to hear they will be re-opening on 4th July 2020.    Thank you also goes to the parents and families who have had to manage energy levels of children over the past 3 months.

    Formal safety inspections have been carried so that we can confidently remove locks, cable ties and signage at the appropriate time.

    We will be adding new signage, and we would ask all parents, carers and adults to please read and take note of these signs.  Please use hand sanitisers before and after using the play equipment, outdoor gym and skatepark to keep everybody safe so that the area can be enjoyed by all.  Should anyone be showing symptoms, please do not use the play area, skatepark or outdoor gym and follow Government guidance for self-isolating and reporting procedures.  Social distancing of course remains in place, which we understand can be hard with little ones, but let’s all just try to enjoy the facilities and stay safe.  We hope you all have a great time playing!

    There will be changes to the play areas and how they are used. Please:

    • limit your time using the facility to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to use it safely
    • monitor and take responsibility for your children at all times
    • do not overcrowd play equipment, outdoor gym or skatepark
    • consider taking wipes to clean/sanitise equipment and touch points
    • take your litter home with you or use the bins provided
    • avoid eating and drinking in play area, skatepark and outdoor gym
  • Potton Community Support Group July 2, 2020

    ThePotton Community Support Group has a new poster with updates on how they can continue to help you during the Coronavirus pandemic.  Click here for information.

  • Plants in the park May 22, 2020

    Here’s something different for you to do if you want to get out with the children at the weekend!

    Many of you have been using the Henry Smith Playing Fields, but how many of you have actually noticed the different plants both planted or growing naturally there?  Here’s your chance to find out what is growing. 

    One of our councillors has been out with their phone camera and taken lots of pictures of plants in the park and elsewhere in the town and these have been put together in the attached leaflet. 

    Please feel free to print it off and visit the park with your children to see if you can find the plants.  Take pictures of the plants you find that match up with the types of plants listed in the leaflet, then post your pictures along with the plant name on the We Love Potton Facebook     page. 

    For     Mums and Dads, there’s some trivia at the back, some aimed solely at adults, but others bits can be used as you see fit to interpret more information to your children about the plants they find. 

    We hope you have fun and it whiles away some pleasurable time in the park and next time you visit     you’ll notice the plants even more. 

  • Wildflowers in Henry Smith Playing Fields May 21, 2020

    An area beneath the trees between the sluice and the skate park in Henry Smith Playing Fields was sown with wildflower seeds last Spring.  Can you find any of these wildflowers?

    Find out more on your Local Envrionment by clicking here.

    Slide 1

  • Update to Coronavirus COVID-19 page May 11, 2020

    Our Coronavirus COVID-19 page has been updated with new information from Central Bedfordshire Council on accessing Safe Space if you are experiencing Domestic Abuse.  Click here and scroll to the Central Bedfordshire section to find out more.

  • Help raise £2,000 to Support Potton families during the COVID-19 Lockdown April 11, 2020

    Slide 1


    Potton Community Help need your financial support

    Potton Community Help are working hard to support those who are self-isolating due to the COVID19 virus, ranging from shopping, collecting prescriptions and other urgent supplies to making a friendly phone call and posting mail.

    However, during the COVID19 Lockdown, many Potton families are going to suffer from short-term financial hardships leading to Food Poverty. Potton Town Council has set up and will manage a support fund to enable us to provide food for these families, working closely with the Potton Community Help coordinators and our current Community Agent and Community and Wellbeing Champion.

    As we progress through this lengthy period of lockdown, we will need to raise further funds in order to support our Potton residents that have been severely affected financially. We are therefore asking you to help us by donating whatever you can afford to this JustGiving fund. All of the money raised will go towards supporting our Potton residents in their hour of need. £58 will feed a Potton family for one week (source – The Need Project).

    Please give generously.

    At the end of the pandemic, we will use any remaining funds to continue supporting Potton families in need.

  • Please avoid lighting bonfires April 8, 2020
    Slide 1

    This is a plea to the communities of Bedfordshire from Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

    We know that this is a difficult time for us all but we need to listen to what the government is telling us.  Everyday life has changed and we are all feeling the impact that Coronavirus (COVID-19) has on ourselves and our communities.  Because of this situation, our front line services are working harder than ever to keep our communities safe.

    On Sunday 5 April, the BFRS attended 12 bonfires.  Two were serious fires; one a fire in a rear garden that spread to the property.  10% of the property was damaged by fire and 50% was damaged by smoke.  The other was a fire involving a large amount of building materials which was left unattended.  The home owner was located and advice given by the fire service and police.

    Despite our guidance, people continue to light open fires, knowing the risks & damage to the environment.  We urge you to please stop.

    Please do not light bonfires, keep your families safe.

    Please listen to the message from Chief Fire Officer Paul Fuller here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0W1hSrqSfio

  • Potton Town Council cemetery – important information April 6, 2020

    Potton Town Council will re-open Potton Cemetery on the 7th April 2020 following the latest guidance issued by the ICCM (Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management) relating to the closure of cemeteries in England.

    The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that cemeteries can remain open, unless the crematorium is situated within a cemetery.

    The Government has given very clear guidance about the reasons that people can leave their homes, visiting a cemetery or crematorium other than for a funeral, and then in limited circumstances, is not one of them.

    If we receive reports of people using the cemetery as an alternative to parks to get round the social distancing measures then we may be forced to re-close, as this could compromise the aims of the Government’s measures to slow the spread of the virus.

  • Play Areas Closed March 30, 2020

    The play areas around Potton at Mill Lane Recreation Ground and Henry Smith Playing Fields are closed until further notice to prevent any unnecessary spread of COVID-19.  This includes the skatepark, outdoor gym and table tennis table at Henry Smith Playing Fields.

    We ask that the public respect these closures and do not force the gates open.

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.