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.

Council mourns the loss of Peter Langridge March 21, 2025

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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.
Thank you to Jane and Peter Singleton March 5, 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.

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Please keep Potton’s play areas safe March 3, 2025

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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.
HRH The Duke of Gloucester opens Potton Hall for All February 28, 2025

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A new larger hall for Potton residents to enjoy

Potton Hall for All were pleased to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO, to Potton to officially open its newest community venue, Potton Hall for All. His Royal Highness was warmly received by the Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Susan Lousada, to the newly built facility designed to meet the needs of the many community groups and activities in this growing town.

Also in attendance were distinguished local guests, including Bav Shah, The High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, Cllr Adam Zerny, Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, and Chief Fire Officer Andrew Hopkinson.

During the visit, His Royal Highness unveiled a plaque marking the opening of the new community venue and planted a heritage apple tree Hunt’s Duke of Gloucester together with Denis Ellison, Potton Community Orchard volunteer. Potton Primary School Choir sang during the planting of the tree.

Potton Community Orchard Volunteer Andy Gibb presented His Royal Highness with gifts of apple juice, honey and preserves from the Orchard, which is located beside the Hall.

Co-host Cllr Jonathan Price Williams, Chairman of Potton Town Council and Potton Hall for All Trustee said: “We were immensely proud to showcase Potton Hall for All to His Royal Highness and express our gratitude for his visit earlier today.”

Elizabeth Smith, Chair of Potton Hall for All charity and co-host remarked: “We were delighted to host a special visit by His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester, to mark the official opening of Potton Hall for All. It was a great opportunity to showcase the building which has been designed in consultation with residents and user groups to ensure it was fit for purpose.”

During his visit, His Royal Highness heard about the fascinating history of Potton from George Howe, Chair of Potton History Society.

The Duke of Gloucester was later introduced to Potton Hall for All Trustees Phill Banks (Vice Chair), Kim Gutteridge (Principal Fundraiser), and Craig Gant (Treasurer) who explained that Potton has many arts, community and sporting groups who are in need of larger premises that can better meet their needs. They described how Potton has many smaller venues but that groups are outgrowing these spaces. They explained that this is not a new problem and Potton is a growing town. The issue was first raised over 30 years ago and the volunteer committee that emerged to champion this idea eventually became the charity Potton Hall for All. Kim Gutteridge described how during this time the trustees, working with Potton Town Council, held many community consultations helping to navigate Section 106 opportunities and applied for the public and charitable funds that were needed to fund this £1.7m facility.

His Royal Highness also spoke with to Darren Wallace (Managing Director, Watson & Cox) and Chris Wayman (Director Wayman Architects) to find out more about the design and construction of the building. Watson & Cox’s brief was to design and construct a multi-functional community centre to serve the Potton local area, working to a strict budget to provide the best value for the local community.

The Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Mrs Susan Lousada commented: ‘It was a pleasure to welcome His Royal Highness to Potton for the opening of this wonderful new hall. It is a lovely facility and will provide the growing community of the town with greater opportunity to organise events and activities and come together.
Vacancy for Newsletter delivery February 5, 2025
Potton Town Council produces four newsletters each year, which are delivered to every household in Potton.

We currently have a vacancy for a newsletter delivery round and we are interested in hearing from 13-18 year olds who would like to deliver our newsletter for us. The rate of pay is £20 for 300 delivered newsletters, pro-rata.

For details on how to apply, please visit our Vacancies page (scroll to the bottom of the page).

Please contact the town council office on 01767 260086 or email pottoncounciladmin@btconnect.com if you have any questions.

We look forward to hearing from you!
Thermal Image Cameras February 3, 2025

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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 February 1, 2025

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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
Vacancies for two Potton Town Councillors February 1, 2025
There are vacancies for two Town Councillors and more Potton Youth Councillors.

For more information and details of how to apply click here.
Taking precautions to fight spike in burglary as the nights lengthen January 31, 2025
Bedfordshire Police’s specialist residential burglary team – Operation Maze – is urging residents to take precautions to deter thieves as the clocks go back

It is also posting a video on social media channels offering crime prevention advice.

Burglaries in the county go up by more than 20 per cent in Autumn as burglars take advantage of longer nights.

The advice starts with locking doors, and if possible double-locking them. Thieves will be able to “pop” single-locked doors with relative ease.

Close and secure windows.

Keep keys and other valuables out of sight and away from letter-boxes.

If you are going out after dark, close curtains and leave a light on, possibly the TV too. If you are out all day set a timer device to turn lights on automatically.

Mark your valuables with security ink such as Smartwater. It will deter burglars in the first place and if property is stolen, it makes it easier to return it if it’s recovered.

Lock up side gates and outbuildings.

If you have one, set your burglar alarm.

View more crime prevention advice

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

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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.

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