Commemorating town’s Great Fire

Town Mayor Mrs Pat Rouse was there to do the honours and she can be seen wearing her chain of office on the right hand side of the photo.

Next to her in the red hat is Mrs Alex Armstrong, a town counsellor, and next to Mrs Armstrong is Melvyn Bryant who was also a counsellor at the time and kindly brought in the photo.

Melvyn’s late wife Dawn is standing next to him dressed in white and just in front of Dawn, wearing a striped skirt, is Mrs Joan Carding. Behind Melvyn is counsellor Peter Vickers (in the beige suit). The lady in full voice facing the camera just in front of Joan (in a striped dress) is Mrs Barbara Kendall.

Further in the crowd are Michael Wilson who is on the far right wearing a jumper with a large diamond pattern. Herbie Wilson is standing between Barbara and Joan; and Harriet Belger, the young dark haired lady with the pushchair is on the far left of the picture.

Behind the (apt) line of fire engines you can make out Palmer Fabrics which was formerly Soundy’s and featured in our recent ‘Shops of Biggleswade’ series.

Thanks go to Melvyn for bringing this piece of Biggleswade’s history in that has also captured so many townsfolk. Perhaps you recognise yourself amongst the throng.