A New Town Hall for Biggleswade
On 1st December 1839 Samuel Whitbread the prominent local magistrate signed a motion together with 6 other magistrates to set up Bedfordshire Police Force. It became operational on 18th February 1840. There were six Divisions for the county one of these being based at Biggleswade. In the absence of a Magistrates Court, the Town Hall was utilised for the administration of justice locally. This continued until 13th October 1927 when the County Police authority opened the purpose built Magistrates Court on a plot of land in Saffron Road. The chief county architectural assistant Sydney C. Jury designed the building and Pettingell & Clark of Hitchin were the builders
A courtroom seating 50 people, rooms for the Judge, Magistrates, Registrar and court officials were provided. The whole of the courtroom furniture was made from Austrian oak. Mr Jury when interviewed said that the court was the best of its kind in the county and everything had been done to comply with the most modern ideas in design.
This is how it looked in November 2005
In 1947 the Petty Sessional Districts were reorganised into Bedford, Luton, Ampthill, Biggleswade, Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard. With increased business, the Courthouse was extended in 1961.
In 1947 the Petty Sessional Districts were reorganised into Bedford, Luton, Ampthill, Biggleswade, Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard. With increased business, the Courthouse was extended in 1961.
This is how the Courthouse was in 1957.
There was further reorganisation throughout the County so that Magistrates Courts at Biggleswade, Ampthill, Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard would close. The last defendants came before the magistrates on 22nd December 1999. From 1st January 2000 just two courts are in operation at Bedford and Luton.
Following upon the impending new District Council headquarters at Chicksands a point of presence is needed in Biggleswade. The three Local Authorities have got together with a scheme to combine the Town Council Office with County Council and District Council representation in the former Magistrates Court as a present day Town Hall. Conversion work is now complete and the town council offices in Chestnut Avenue are sold.
Ken Page
18th December 2005 (Amended 28th April 2006)