Three Market Town Mosaic Heritage Trail – Potton
This is a unique mosaic heritage trail which links the historic market towns of Sandy, Potton and Biggleswade.
Mosaics have been used for thousands of years to decoratively record histories and celebrate events. Thanks to the Romans we have many examples in the UK. The methodology remains the same, but weather and future-proofing demanded a few changes.
This magnificent mosaic heritage trail illustrates some of the historic events which took place in the market towns of Sandy, Potton and Biggleswade. We are indebted to the huge input made by the local history societies who selected these stories.
The aim was to leave a legacy for future generations and the best people to do this were the local communities under the master mosaic artist Oliver Budd and project manager Carolyn Blake. Workshops ran from January 2017 to February 2018 involving 11 schools as well as many members from the three communities.
This three town project was part of a £4m Market Town Regeneration Scheme made available by Central Bedfordshire Council and managed by Sandy Town Council.
The Mosaic Heritage Trail is comprised of 15 panels measuring a total of 26.9 metres end to end. Look out for Captain Sir William Peel throwing a fizzing bomb in Sandy, the fire in The Crown Inn of 1785 in Biggleswade, and the windmill and Champion car in Potton. Discover the stories and many more.
Each mosaic panel has a plaque next to it explaining the stories told in the mosaic and who was involved in making them. The plaques have distinctive coloured bands around them representing their town council colours. Oliver Budd the mosaic artist designed all the panels for the communities to make in the workshops, working from the briefs set by the history societies.
Making these mosaics involved selecting and cutting tiles and tesserae, laying them out rather like a jigsaw and then fixing them onto a mesh with
glue, ready to be fixed into panels.
When you follow this heritage trail don’t forget to read the information on the plaques and before you visit look at www.storyinstone.org.uk for a greater understanding.
