Lost ‘Biggleswade Museum’ artefacts uncovered

At one time it was hoped that Biggleswade would have its own town museum and historians hoarded scores of old objects in preparation for it during the 1970s. However, when plans for the museum were scrapped, the artefacts were either forgotten, dispersed or lost after having been stored in the bowels of council offices in London Road for around ten years.

Twenty-five years ago this week, following a fresh appeal in the Chronicle, some of the items including old photographs, crockery and fire and police service equipment began to surface.

Ken Page of the Biggleswade History Society said at the time: “We have traced quite a few things. There is a photographic display about Dan Albone [and] we have come across a fireman’s helmet and a police truncheon. We have even found the Town Crier’s bell.”

The fireman’s helmet was discovered, appropriately, in the fire station.

Ken was hopeful of finding more treasures, including Mr Wotton’s cane, headmaster of the original Hicks Pits College (Rose Lane School).