Blue plaque proposed for BBC’s Bedford base

Image from @bedfordcornexch/ Instagram

A blue plaque has been proposed for Bedford to mark the spot of a secret BBC radio control room which operated during the Second World War.

According to records, the BBC broadcasted around 8,000 programmes from Bedford between 1941 and 1945. During the broadcasts, the location was given as Somewhere in England, with various locations being used around the town, including the Bedford Corn Exchange, Bedford School, St Paul’s Church and the Bunyan Meeting Room. Jazz musician, Glen Miller, was based at the Corn Exchange, while the main control room for the studios was in the Harrowden Room of the Bunyan Meeting Building.

There is already a blue plaque on the Bedford Corn Exchange dedicated to Glen Miller, above a statue of the musician.

The application for the new plaque has been submitted to Bedford Borough Council with plans for it to be placed on the side of the Bunyan Meeting Free Church and John Bunyan Museum.