bedsnewsbotBedford Borouch Council selects preferred bidder for former Debenhams redevelopment
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Bedford Ian writes…
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'My concern turned into alarm' panel overseeing Bedford council's financial recovery raises issues
'My concern turned into alarm' panel overseeing Bedford council's financial recovery raises issues - Feddit UK
An independent panel overseeing Bedford Borough Council’s recovery programme has warned there is an “optimism bias” in the authority’s improvement plans and said the pace of change must increase.
Mystery medieval find and returning artefacts continue to fire kiln interest after Sutton archaeology discovery
Mystery medieval find and returning artefacts continue to fire kiln interest after Sutton archaeology discovery - Feddit UK
Last year, we revealed that excavations carried out at Sutton Primary School by its archaeology service, Albion Archaeology, between 2024 and 2025 had uncovered a well-preserved pottery kiln, ahead of construction for a new sports pitch. Initially the find was thought to have dated back to the Tudor period, under the reigns of King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I, but last month it was revealed that experts now believe the kiln dates back as much as 650 years to the late 14th century medieval period. New insights shared at a community event in Sutton Village Hall this week have highlighted both the scale of the discovery and the intrigue that remains. Alongside the pottery, a rare and unusual metal object featuring a decorative fleur-de-lys design was also uncovered. While it resembles a pair of tongs, experts believe its form and decoration suggest another purpose, possibly as an architectural fitting. However, its exact use remains unknown, adding an element of mystery to the discovery. The mystery object from the Sutton archaeological dig. [https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/images/mystery_object.jpeg] Archaeologists working on the site recovered more than 30,000 pottery fragments – weighing over 600kg – from 180 excavation buckets, making it one of the largest and most significant local digs in recent years. Archaeomagnetic dating of the kiln indicates it may have been in operation as far back as the reign of Edward III in the 14th century. Those who attended the event heard a talk from archaeologist David Ingham, who project managed the dig, about how the kiln would have operated, its likely scale as a local industry, and how pottery produced on site would have been used across the surrounding area. In a significant moment for the community, selected pottery fragments from the dig and pieces of the kiln itself were also brought back to Sutton and shared with around 100 people from the village and the surrounding area, helping to reconnect residents with their medieval past. Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, Councillor Adam Zerny, who organised and spoke at the event, said: > It was fantastic to see so many residents come together to learn about Sutton’s past and hear more about this remarkable discovery right beneath our feet. It was great to bring some of these artefacts back to the village and show people a really interesting insight into the history of our area. Many of the key finds are on display at The Higgins Bedford until 4 October as part of the museum exhibition ‘Exploring Bedfordshire’s Kilns: An Industry Revealed’, which also features a detailed model of the Sutton kiln.
Huntingdon Races to host ‘Syndicate Night’ encouraging locals into horseracing ownership
