Tel: 01767 260086
Email: pottoncouncil@btconnect.com

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.

  • Please avoid lighting bonfires 2 June 2025
    Slide 1
    Slide 2

    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 14 May 2025

    Slide 1
    Slide 2
    Slide 3
    Slide 4
    Slide 5
    Slide 6
    Slide 7
    Slide 8
    Slide 9
    Slide 10
    Slide 11
    Slide 12
    Slide 13

    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 2 May 2025

    Slide 1
    Slide 2
    Slide 3

    The War Memorial at Potton Cemetery was recently steam cleaned and the letters have been repainted black.

  • Council mourns the loss of Peter Langridge 10 April 2025
    Slide 1
    Slide 2

    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 31 March 2025

    Slide 1
    Slide 2
    Slide 3
    Slide 4
    Slide 5
    Slide 6
    Slide 7

    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.

  • Thank you to Jane and Peter Singleton 5 March 2025

    On Tuesday 4th March 2025, Jane and Peter Singleton had several things to celebrate.

    The Chairman of Potton Town Council, Cllr Jonathan Price Williams invited Jane and Peter to a drinks reception to recognise their service to the Community of Potton.  Following the drinks reception Jane and Peter joined several members of the town council and members of the community in the unveiling of plaque on a bench in the Henry Smith Playing Fields.

    Slide 1
    Slide 2
    Slide 3
  • Please keep Potton’s play areas safe 3 March 2025

    Slide 1

    This is a polite reminder that dogs are prohibited from entering the children’s play areas at Henry Smith Playing Fields and Mill Lane Recreation Ground.

    If you are accompanied by your dog when your children are visiting the town council play areas, please act responsibly and remain outside.

    Thank you.

  • Thermal Image Cameras 3 February 2025
    Slide 1

    With Winter approaching, do you want to find out where your home is leaking heat?

    Potton Town Council has two thermal image cameras available for residents of Potton to use, one iOS and one Android with lightning adaptors, which can plug into your smartphone.

    There is no charge to borrow the camera, you just need to pay a £200 deposit, which is refundable after the camera has been returned, and you might consider making a donation to allow for maintenance of the cameras and/or additional cameras to be purchased. Suggested donation of £5.

    You can find out more information and download the loan agreement from the town council website  https://www.pottontowncouncil.co.uk/thermal-image-cameras/

    To make enquiries, contact Mrs Sharon Shaw at pottoncouncilbookings@btconnect.com.

  • Register for severe weather updates 1 February 2025

    Slide 1

    Don’t get caught out this Winter. Stay ahead of severe weather!

    With Winter just around the corner, it’s more important than ever to stay informed about potential severe weather.

    Make sure you’re subscribed to receive severe weather updates from Central Bedfordshire Council straight to your inbox.

    Register for severe weather updates

  • PCC invites residents to give their view on police plan 30 January 2025

    Slide 1

    Police and Crime Commissioner John Tizard has today (Monday 22nd July) launched a consultation survey for the people of Bedfordshire to share their views on the core objectives of his Police and Crime Plan.

    The people of Bedfordshire can feed back on topics relating to improving policing, reforming a broken criminal justice system, protecting victims, and addressing the social and economic causes of crime across the county.

    Residents can also highlight what they think should be prioritised by Bedfordshire Police service.

    The PCC’s missions are set out in the consultation paper which can be found on the PCC’s website.

    Police and Crime Plan Missions:
    • Prevention – work as a partnership to prevent crime.
    • Tackle serious crime – reduce serious and organised crime as well as serious youth violence.
    • Tackle Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) – reduce violence and protect all women and children.
    • Excellence – deliver an excellent police service and criminal justice system.
    • Local policing – work with local communities to engage, prevent and solve crime and community issues.
    • Victims – put victims at the heart of the criminal justice system.

    John Tizard, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) said: “When I was elected earlier this year my pledge was to do everything I could as PCC to make Bedfordshire safer for its residents, businesses, and visitors to the county.

    “It is important that there is zero tolerance of all crime wherever it occurs and of the causes of crime.

    “The theme of the Police and Crime Plan to be published in the Autumn is a safer and fairer Bedfordshire, and this is a plan for both social and criminal justice.

    “We must ensure that the rights of individuals and communities are always respected and safeguarded.

    “To tackle crime and make our county safer will require all our local public bodies, businesses, and residents to support this goal.

    “As PCC I am adopting a mission-driven approach to ensure that this police and crime plan is focused on the outcomes that the residents of Bedfordshire want and deserve.

    “I very much look forward to hearing the views and ideas over the next few weeks before I finalise a Police and Crime Plan that will make our county safer and fairer.”

    In his consultation, the PCC has listed his objectives for the first year of his term as short-term goals, he will then consult with stakeholders and the public after this on the longer-term commitments that span over the following three years.

    Residents can complete the survey here: https://forms.office.com/e/y1jFCJthRP
    For more information, please contact the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner by emailing pccplanconsultation@beds.police.uk.

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.

 

What's On