Winter 2023/2024.
Moot is currently awaiting Roof Repairs
but is OPEN as normal.
Moot Hall is, at the moment, surrounded by Harris fencing, which may look a bit unsightly, but is there for everyone's safety. The mortar bed under the lowest rows of Moot's roof tiles is crumbling and needs replacing. So, the fencing is positioned to keep people far enough away from the building so that, if any mortar should fall, it can't land on anyone's head! 😁
The building also needs some minor repairs to the brickwork and timbers.
Once we have the necessary permissions from the Conservation and Ancient Monument agencies, Bedford Borough Council will get the necessary remedial works carried out.
In the meantime, if you were planning to visit Moot Hall, please don't let this protective fence put you off, as Moot is still just as beautiful inside as ever and we are still OPEN - Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday afternoons, 1pm to 4pm, or by appointment.
The building also needs some minor repairs to the brickwork and timbers.
Once we have the necessary permissions from the Conservation and Ancient Monument agencies, Bedford Borough Council will get the necessary remedial works carried out.
In the meantime, if you were planning to visit Moot Hall, please don't let this protective fence put you off, as Moot is still just as beautiful inside as ever and we are still OPEN - Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday afternoons, 1pm to 4pm, or by appointment.
2021 - Moot Museum's 70th Anniversary.
Moot has had many uses in its near 600 year existence - a courtroom, shopping centre, meeting place, lodging house, and storage facility.
The hall was donated, by the Whitbread family, in 1950 to Bedfordshire County Council, who restored and opened it to the public in May 1951, as their main contribution to the Festival of Britain.
Moot has had many uses in its near 600 year existence - a courtroom, shopping centre, meeting place, lodging house, and storage facility.
The hall was donated, by the Whitbread family, in 1950 to Bedfordshire County Council, who restored and opened it to the public in May 1951, as their main contribution to the Festival of Britain.
Pilgrims Progress 2019 animated film
The complete film may now be viewed on youtube
Elstow leads #bunyansbedford initiative
Today, 5th October 2019, the Bunyan Round Table group (BRT) initiative - to 'brand' Bedford as the home of John Bunyan - took a small(ish) step and an unexpected huge leap forward..
The 'smallish' step was the unveiling of Elstow's first village 'gateway' (which is actually anything but small!).
This has been, very appropriately, sited at the beginning of Progress Way, Elstow and is just the first of several such gates that Elstow Parisish Council will be constructing beside the roads leading into the village that was John Bunyan's birthplace and home.
The beautiful graphic is by BRT member Bedford artist Alasdair Bright.
The second step forward came as a big surprise - when Mayor Dave Hodgson announced today, to a visiting group of tour guides at Elstow Moot Hall, that Bedford Borough Council will be following Elstow's lead, by putting the name of Bunyan on all the signs on roads leading into the Borough.
The 'smallish' step was the unveiling of Elstow's first village 'gateway' (which is actually anything but small!).
This has been, very appropriately, sited at the beginning of Progress Way, Elstow and is just the first of several such gates that Elstow Parisish Council will be constructing beside the roads leading into the village that was John Bunyan's birthplace and home.
The beautiful graphic is by BRT member Bedford artist Alasdair Bright.
The second step forward came as a big surprise - when Mayor Dave Hodgson announced today, to a visiting group of tour guides at Elstow Moot Hall, that Bedford Borough Council will be following Elstow's lead, by putting the name of Bunyan on all the signs on roads leading into the Borough.