Setting your story in stone, as a legacy for future generations.
Story in Stone began as a partnership between artist /project leader Carolyn Blake and mosaic artist Oliver Budd. They delivered an inclusive community heritage trail through the three historic market towns of Sandy, Potton and Biggleswade in Bedfordshire. Their unique histories were brought to life in 15 panels. The project was funded by Central Bedfordshire Council as part of a £4 million Market Town Regeneration Scheme and was completed in 2018
Workshops were held in 11 schools and three housing associations from January - November 2017.
On 19th March 2018 The Rt. Hon. The Earl Peel GCVO DL unveiled a mosaic dedicated to his great, great uncle Captain Sir William Peel VC KCB, designed by Oliver Budd and made by pupils from Robert Peel Primary School in Sandy, Bedfordshire.
Leah K Stewart, Helen Nellis (Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire) and The Lord Peel at RSPB HQ 2018Frederick Thomas Bidlake riding his tricycle, used for all his personal races. This mosaic is on the external wall of Sandy library, Market Square, Sandy SG19 1EH Bedfordshire. The clocks and silhouettes of cyclists were made by students from Sandye Place School and members of the local community and was unveiled by David Barry, Hon Sec of the Bidlake Memorial Trust on Tuesday 20th February 2018.This mosaic shows Frederick Thomas Bidlake, the inventor of Timekeeping for cyclists, installed on the external wall of Sandy library, Market Square, Sandy SG19 1EH Bedfordshire. The clocks were made by students from Sandye Place School and members of the local community. Both mosaics were unveiled by David Barry, Hon Sec of the Bidlake Memorial Trust on Tuesday 20th February 2018.This mosaic can be found in the market square in the Market Square, Biggleswade SG18 8AS. The head of the Saxon Coin was made by two residents of Aragon Housing, Northfields in Biggleswade and the reverse by members of the Biggleswade History Society. 'From Roman Origins' can be found on the wall of the Indian restaurant called Rasoi, 22 Market Square, Sandy SG19 1JA. It was installed in September 2017. Sections of the middle and right hand roundels were made by pupils from St Swithun's VC Primary School and Maple Tree Lower School in Sandy.This mosaic is on the Library Clock House, Market Square, Sandy SG19 2NP, placed there in June 2017. The top left hand section was made by students from The Potton Federation School. The other three sections were made by mosaic artist Oliver Budd. Thanks to JD Wetherspoon we were able to put this mosaic on the wall in the yard of The Crown Inn, Biggleswade in June 2017. It is aptly placed as it is where the original fire started in 1785. The large figure with hands raised in the right hand section was made by members of the Biggleswade History Society. This mosaic can be seen at 23 High Street, Biggleswade SG18 0JE.Oliver Budd's interpretation of Lady Penelope being driven by Parker in her Thunderbird car FAB 1. The left hand section was made by pupils from Ivel Valley School and St Andrews VC Lower School, with additional help from members of the Biggleswade History Society. The clubs shown on the right include Biggleswade Town FC, Biggleswade United FC, Biggleswade Rugby Club and Biggleswade Cricket Club. This mosaic is at the Saxon Pool and Leisure Centre, Saxon Drive, Biggleswade SG18 8SUA mosaic in two halves. The top section of the mosaic is in silhouette showing Captain Sir William Peel's steam and sail ship. This was made in the summer workshop in Sandy by members of the community young and old, July - August 2017. The bottom section shows Peel's steam engine (named after his ship) which was made by mosaic artist Oliver Budd.This mosaic can be seen on the wall between St Swithun's church and school SG19 1AQ.An act of bravery during the Crimean War. On the top right is the VC that Captain Sir William Peel was awarded and below his home, the Swiss Lodge at Sandy (now the headquarters of the RSPB). The roundels and plaque were made by Oliver Budd and the rest of the mosaic was made mainly by members of Robert Peel Primary school in Sandy January - May 2017. This mosaic is on the wall between St Swithun's church and school SG19 1AQ.Amongst other things this is a collaboration of rabbits, punctuating the mosaic story of what happened on a windy night. Pupils at St Swithun's, Maple Tree and Laburnum schools in Sandy were invited to make a series of rabbits for this large mosaic, in October 2017 and the rest of this mosaic was made by Oliver Budd. This mosaic is on the wall between St. Swithun's church and school SG19 1AQ.2m x 2m the top left hand section was made by students from the Potton Federation School. Top and bottom right and left by members of the Potton community and Kier in summer workshops during July - August 2017. All diamond and circular sections were made by mosaic artist Oliver Budd. This mosaic are on the Library Clock House Market Square, Sandy SG19 2NP.The left hand section shows Highwayman Shock Oliver on his house was made by students from the following schools: Biggleswade Academy, Edward Peake Middle School, Ivel Valley School and Lawnside Lower School. The right hand section was made by mosaic artist Oliver Budd.This mosaic is on the railway bridge facing north, Biggleswade SG18 0LAThe Three 'R's The River illustrates eel and crayfish, in the River Ivel. On the right early forms of transport. Market gardening goods were transported by barges as was wood and coal. The right hand section was made in summer workshops by The Biggleswade History Society and members of the local community. This mosaic is on the railway bridge facing north, Biggleswade SG18 0LAOliver Budd made the right hand section of this mosaic showing Dan Albone on his tractor in a sprout field. The left hand section was made in summer workshops by The Biggleswade History Society and members of the local community. This mosaic is on the railway bridge facing south towards London, Biggleswade SG18 0LAFeatured on the railway bridge (facing London) in Biggleswade SG18 0LA. On the left are the Dan Albone bicycles. This left hand section was made in summer workshops by members of the local community and the Biggleswade History Society. The right hand section with Berkeley cars was made by Oliver Budd and unveiled February 2018. One of 6 plaques created for the Story in Stone project in Sandy. The printed plaques are set in an aluminium tray with mosaic tiles (using the colours of Sandy Town Council), which surround the A4 aluminium sheet.