Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he thinks of it all maybe you accidentally offered the whole of Bedford a class in Big Big Boobies which does genuinely brilliant work getting young people involved in parkour sent out a flyer this week that unexpectedly detoured into the chesty end of the internet Someone slipped in a cheeky addition among their usual list of services We’ll never know whether it was a private joke or just someone testing the bounce on their boundaries the team at Spiral moved faster than a wall run to recall the email it was not quite fast enough to stop a few eagle-eyed Bedfordians from spotting it and sending it straight to Bedford Ian HQ—because Everyone slips up sometimes—especially in the fast-paced world of flips And if you can’t laugh at your own accidental boob So here’s to Spiral Freerun: for their quick reflexes Just maybe double-check the next draft before you send it out a road sign warning drivers of runners on the road Unless there’s an Australian-themed fun run no one told us about it’s hard to imagine how this made it past the first glance stuck on a post completely the wrong way up Are we so deep into the “not my job” era that we can’t even be bothered to check which way up the letters are pointing When the task is literally “put sign here,” you shouldn’t need a three-point plan and a PowerPoint You just have to tilt your head or commit to a complete forward roll to read it Perhaps it’s a test for the runners: flexibility and neck strength under pressure Once the uncontroversial home of grass cuttings and carrot peelings it is now the latest flashpoint in Bedford Borough’s political drama The Conservatives say they might have to introduce charges for green waste collection to help plug a projected £33 million funding gap accusing the administration of introducing a “stealth tax” and blaming “wasteful pet projects” for the financial mess when the Lib Dems were asked if they’d reverse the charge if they came back into power we’re not writing our 2027 manifesto yet.” If you’re going to make a song and dance about something at least tell us what tune you’d play if you were back holding the baton it feels more politicising for its own sake debate the green bin charges and scrutinise the spending But please spare us the grandstanding if you’re not going to offer a better plan the only thing going in the green bin is the credibility of council politics The sun must have got to me this week because I’ve been in quite a good mood—and it wasn’t just the weather was being invited to watch this year’s Bedford Independent Everyday Heroes Awards If you ever find yourself doubting this Borough’s kindness and maybe even blinking back a tear (or blaming it on the hay fever) Read: A night to remember with Borough’s Everyday Heroes recognised as the “spirit of Bedford” From tireless volunteers to fearless fundraisers young achievers to quiet champions working away behind the scenes this year’s nominees and winners reminded us all what Bedford at its best really looks like and the whole borough felt united in pride for a few golden hours We even sang Happy Birthday to one of the finalists PS: If you see anything Bedford Ian might find amusing, let us know at news@BedfordIndependent.co.uk Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Complete digital access to quality analysis and expert insights complemented with our award-winning Weekend Print edition Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times Hrishi Sharma kicked the new season off in style for Bedford Cricket Club Sunday 1st XI at the weekend as they thrashed Luton Town & Indians 2nd XI by 141 runs in Division One of the Bedfordshire County Cricket League The 1st XI are aiming to finally gain promotion to the Premier Division – a feat completed by Biddenham CC last season – and their pursuit of the county’s top tier in Sunday cricket began in perfect fashion at The Bury Bedford amassed an impressive 274/7 in their 40 overs against Luton Town & Indians; anchored in style by Sharma who scored 110 off 113 balls and ably supported by captain Rohit Mehmi (61) and Jonathan Huggins’ 43 off 41 balls Luton never looked like chasing the target falling to 82-5 by the drinks break and eventually crumbling to 133 all out with Shiv Odedra (3-46) beginning the collapse that was completed by Jonny Dove (3-9) Premier Division campaigns for Queens Park Westfield and Biddenham began in the worst possible way; both losing heavily against Caldecote and Lutonians respectively Queens Park were bundled out for 130 at Allen Park against Caldecote losing by nine wickets while Biddenham began life in the Premier Division with a 200-run thumping at Lutonians as they were bowled out for just 58 chasing 258 to win Elstow were victors over Queens Park Westfield’s 2nd XI in Division Two Hamayun Shahid’s 57 helped Queens Park to 192 as Elstow stalwart Phil Johnson picked up 4-33 but it never looked like being enough as both Johnson and Ranvir Thiarra both amassed 60 not out in quick time to win with over 4 overs remaining Queens Park Westfield’s 3rd XI lasted just 16.2 overs in their batting effort at Milton Keynes Warriors in Division Three as they lost by six wickets after being dismissed for just 68 despite a brace of wickets from Zohib Iqbal and Shabbir Hussain in response Bedford CC’s 2nd XI squeezed past Old Warden by two wickets chasing Old Warden’s 155 in tense fashion Wickets were shared amongst Bedford’s pace bowlers with Hasi Perera top scoring for Warden with 41 and despite David Sills’ 4-38 for the hosts Bedford were able to squeeze home thanks to Saiyed Mudassir Hussain’s unbeaten 37 Kempston Hammers lost their first game of the season in Division Five at Luton Town & Indians 3rd XI by 59 runs despite a stunning 81 off just 35 balls from Ali Jaan in the chase of Luton’s 209/6 while Elstow’s 2nd XI won in Division Six Bedford Cricket Club’s Saturday XI have endured a difficult start again to life in the Northamptonshire Cricket League losing both of their opening games to Burton Latimer and Loddington & Mawsley in Division Five Maninder Singh (43) was just one of two batters to reach double figures as Bedford were bundled out for just 90 on the league’s opening weekend at Burton Latimer although opening bowlers Rylan Sellers (3-27) and Sareer Safi (2-32) did well to battle back and it was the same margin of defeat at The Bury on Saturday (3 May) against Loddington & Mawsley although Bedford put up a far better fight with the bat Manoj Thomas’ 56 off 37 was the main contributor to Bedford’s total of 226 alongside 37 for both Arjun Manku and Sellers but an unbeaten 88 for Loddington’s captain James Coles alongside 58 for James Hawthorn narrowly saw the visitors home The side are back at The Bury on Saturday (10 May) as they welcome Wellingborough Town 2nd XI Bedford and London Scottish are two teams known for their brand of rugby and liking to entertain the crowds spring’s day fireworks were expected With Bedford flying high coming off the back of beating Ealing the week before and a massive victory over Nottingham prior to that And so it proved with Bedford flying out of the blocks throwing the ball around and scoring three early tries in the opening 15 minutes it would be London Scottish’s up front power that would get them back into the game two tries off the back of the maul from Austin Wallis took his side back into contention before the two teams traded scores before the break After the break the tit for tat nature of the game continued with attack’s firmly on top and both defences struggling to gain any foothold just after the break sparked hopes of a come back but Bedford were always able to cause trouble when they had ball in hand A last minute pearler of a score from Tom Wilstead who picked up the final pass from a beautiful break from Josh Bellamy was the try of the day as the final score finished 61-38 An incredibly entertaining game and one where London Scottish will rue the opening quarter of an hour which put them too far behind to mount a serious challenge Efforts now turn to a massive three weeks as Scottish take on Cambridge a chance to climb the table perhaps but those three sides will be looking to do a number on the Exiles so it will be an incredibly entertaining few weeks SubscrIbe for the latest news and offers direct to your inbox The collision took place between Junctions 12 (Flitwick) and Junction 13 (Bedford) News | UK The M1 is experiencing major delays to northbound traffic after a crash between two junctions in Bedfordshire earlier today which occurred between Junctions 12 (Flitwick) and 13 (Bedford) prompted a swift response from emergency services Traffic was brought to a standstill as they worked at the scene National Highways East issued a warning to drivers on X (formerly Twitter) shortly before 11am saying: “Traffic has been stopped on the #M1 northbound between J12 #Flitwick and J13 #Bedford due to a collision.” confirming: “1 (of) 4 lanes are now OPEN on the #M1 northbound between J12 #Flitwick and J13 #Bedford following a collision Emergency services continue to work at scene The crash came on the first day of the May Bank Holiday weekend — one of the busiest travel periods of the year with an estimated 17 million journeys expected across Britain Friday was forecast to be the peak travel day with an estimated 2.9 million drivers taking to the roads RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “Although the Easter break was just two weeks ago our figures suggest this weekend will still be hectic on the roads as millions take advantage of another bank holiday “This week’s very warm weather may not last right into the weekend there’s still plenty of opportunity to get out and about it’s best to avoid Friday evening as that’s when leisure traffic will clash with commuter journeys.” She also advised motorists to check their tyres and ensure vehicles have the correct levels of oil London travel news LIVE: Severe delays on the Jubilee and Metropolitan line Armed forces parade overnight through London in VE Day dress rehearsal ‘Dignified silence’ was needed from Harry for reconciliation Meal2Deal: on a mission to make food poverty history The holiday rush has been further fuelled by unseasonably warm weather The Met Office said Kew Gardens in southwest London recorded a high of 29.3C on Thursday 1 May — the warmest start to May on record in the UK Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in major blow for Putin ahead of Victory Day celebrations Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in blow for Putin Rihanna shows off baby bump at star-studded Met Gala 2025 as singer's third pregnancy with A$AP Rocky announced Rihanna debuts baby bump on star-studded Met Gala blue carpet Stacey Solomon 'regrets doing reality show with Joe Swash' for tough reason Stacey Solomon 'regrets reality show with Joe Swash' for tough reason TV Comedy What’s the best episode of Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em Probably not the one where Frank is busted for distributing hardcore porn which is always a good one to throw at people to see if they really remember the show properly the show probably never bettered “Have a Break There’s so much to love about the episode featuring Frank and Betty’s disastrous second honeymoon Not least a boiling undercurrent of sexual frustration throughout Betty eventually figured out that she could actually start without Frank She probably also figured out that she could finish without Frank as well you know what nonsense I’m about to come out with Exactly which edition of Psychic News is Kenny holding Answer: the edition dated 24th February 1973, where the lead story was about a BBC2 series called Leap in the Dark Leap in the Dark was an incredibly odd show It started out in 1973 as a documentary series on the paranormal and then started doing reconstructions of supposedly real supernatural events By the time of its fourth and final series in 1980 I can’t think of any other TV show which has had that kind of trajectory The episode discussed in this edition of Psychic News was “A Question of Survival” although the BBC do hold some insert material from this particular show the only episode of Series 1 which does still exist in full is the pilot from 9th January 1973 This episode is on YouTube so you can get a sense of what the programme was like in this particular incarnation: BBC Four really should drag this out on Halloween the pilot features an interview with Elsie Sheppard… who also appears in a telesnap on the front of Psychic News So clearly “A Question of Survival” reused some material from the pilot Back to Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em That edition of Psychic News has the cover date of the 24th February 1973… which just happens to be the studio recording date of “”Have a Break examination of the front page of that particular issue reveals a University of London date stamp of the 23rd February And if we take the masthead’s claim that it was “On sale every Thursday” then surely the publication date was actually 22nd February the short lead time when it comes to broadcasting these episodes does mean that exactly two weeks on from publication of this edition the finished episode of Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em featuring it was transmitted to the nation The appearance of Psychic News on Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em reverberated in its pages for many years it surely wasn’t often that the publication got shown full-frame on the BBC A week after the first broadcast of “Have a Break, Take a Husband”, in the edition published on the 17th March 1973, a column by Maurice Barbanell published the following short piece: The “psychic” aspect involved a wardrobe-shifting sequence accepted this physical “phenomenon” as an indication that his “dead” uncle was trying to communicate.” But at this point, Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em‘s endless repeats start having a rather odd effect. A year later in the edition published on 21st September 1974, again in Maurice Barbanell’s column In the programme a character expecting a message from his “dead” grandfather was seen reading PN in bed One correspondent said there was “a smashing close-up” of our front page Two years later, in the edition published on the 25th September 1976, Barbanell is at it one last time: but people who did told me one character is depicted reading PN Then to his astonishment a rocking chair starts going back and forth forget speaking to people from beyond the grave Maurice Barbanell now can’t seem to remember what he’s written in his own column So let’s leave him, and instead give the final word to Elaine Mallaband who had a letter published in the 15th September 2001 edition: as I had been feeling pretty low and dejected all day and I had a good laugh throughout it I don’t know how long they were first shown on TV but I hadn’t noticed the paper the guest was reading in bed I bet she was glad she wasn’t watching the other side With thanks to Paul Hayes and Tanya Jones © Steve Phillips. ↩ Who also appears in the pilot of The Young Ones… playing the medium next door. So if you want to say that The Young Ones and Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em take place in the same universe, there’s your excuse. ↩ Unusual capitalisation preserved from the original. ↩ Yes, the piece does say “Some Mothers Do Have ‘Em”. I presume other comedy shows Psychic News enjoyed were In the Thick of It, Today’s the Day, and Hello Hello. And yes, I am now reusing material from over fifteen years ago. ↩ , From “Paul Merton: The Series” Paul in his station kiosk linkman guise… Customer: “Have you got a copy of Psychic News?” in the KLF’s “Kylie Said To Jason” Bill Drummond namechecks the show as “Some Mothers Do Have Them” the hotel episode was the first script pitched by Raymond Allen (perhaps for ‘Comedy Playhouse’ or maybe even Ronnie Barker’s ‘Seven of One’) Which episode are you referring to in the first paragraph? I’ve missed or blanked that completely “Hello Porn Demon King…” “I’m on a building site and I shall be doing some time after doing pointless stunts.” John J. Hoare on 5 May 2025 @ 7pm but I have to admit I enjoyed it far more than previous viewings on my last watch through the series And Crawford sitting sideways-on on the motorcycle is fucking terrifying your note confirms that the unusual capitalisation is as published but doesn’t mention them using the singular for ‘mother’ and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" © 2010-2025 John J. HoareISSN 2754-2807 There’s something truly magical about a community coming together to celebrate its own and that’s precisely what happened at the 2024 Bedford Independent Everyday Heroes Awards The atmosphere was electric from the moment guests arrived at the Quarry Theatre to celebrate these awards which are organised in partnership with the Harpur Trust people spilt out into the Quarry Theatre garden enjoying the pleasant weather and soaking up the positive atmosphere They were helped along by cold drinks and nibbles served by Bedford School It felt like everyone in the room—whether a nominee or just a proud supporter—was here for one reason: to celebrate the heroes of Bedford The Quarry Theatre bar was alive with energy as guests mingled and the Bedford School Jazz Orchestra keeping the tempo lively and helping to build excitement as the ceremony was about to begin It was clear: this was going to be a special night The awards ceremony officially kicked off with Paul Hutchinson Paul’s opener reminded us all why we were there—to celebrate the unsung heroes of Bedford These are the people who quietly change lives making a massive impact without ever asking for recognition These weren’t just people receiving awards; they were our neighbours it felt like Bedford was cheering them on as one A moment of the evening that will no doubt be a highlight for at least one attendee and his family was just after the Young Achiever (Up to Age 13) heartfelt rendition of “Happy Birthday” from the packed theatre singing with joy as Oscar stood there beaming warm reminder of the sense of community that makes Bedford unique Oscar turned 14 on that day of the ceremony; we’re confident he’ll be nominated in the older Young Achiever category in the years to come it wasn’t just about recognising the winners but celebrating Bedford as a whole watched as the nominees walked up to claim their well-deserved recognition making space for each new winner with the kind of warmth and respect that only a tight-knit community can provide The evening carried on in a wonderful mix of excitement and emotion the Bedford School Jazz Orchestra continued to play adding that special touch of energy that kept the ceremony buzzing The packed theatre was a testament to how many people were there to celebrate Bedford’s Everyday Heroes it felt like the whole room was collectively holding its breath waiting for the names of those who would be honoured for their outstanding contributions to our community But it wasn’t just the winners who were celebrated—the highly commended finalists were met with just as much enthusiasm a clear sign of how much their efforts meant to everyone in the room and Paul Kellett from Bedford Giving both took the stage to express their pride in being part of such a special event David highlighted how inspiring it was to see the variety of people nominated each year from community artists to those working behind the scenes to improve lives Paul spoke about the importance of giving young people a platform to have their voices heard and the Youth Voice Award—sponsored by Bedford Giving in memory of Laura Pottinger—was a true highlight of the evening Sporting Aid’s “Next Generation Podcast,” was applauded for amplifying the voices of young people The night was also filled with stories of unsung heroes those who work quietly to make a difference bringing people together through community events and workshops was named Fundraiser of the Year (Individual) raising more than £1,500 for Embrace Charity it was a reminder that heroes come in all shapes and sizes Frankie was unable to collect her award herself they tell us they couldn’t be more proud of all she has achieved We will catch up with her soon when she is able Bedford School helped make the evening more than a simple gathering The boys and staff pulled out all the stops to ensure that the finalists We are grateful for their continued support which helps our Everyday Heroes enjoy a night for themselves when at all other times they are doing things for others Director of The Bedford School Association introduced the Excellence in Education Award and spoke of the deep connection between the school and the town we strive to instil a sense of community and responsibility contributing to the strong fabric of Bedford,” he said The event was watched by Bedford and Kempston MP Tom Wootton (Conservative) and Deputy Lieutenant (DL) Nick Kier he chose a quote often repeated by Pope Francis “Rivers do not drink their own water; trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves No matter how difficult it is… life is good when you are happy but much better when others are happy because of you,” said the DL “The Everyday Heroes Awards are more than just a celebration of outstanding individuals “They reflect the incredible spirit that makes Bedford such a special place It’s an honour to be part of an evening that showcases the heart of the Bedford Borough community.” Dean Adamson is now officially Bedford Blues’ leading all-time try scorer scoring one of nine tries as part of a 61-38 victory against London Scottish at a raucous Goldington Road on Saturday afternoon The intriguing sub-plot to an excellent Blues season culminated on the hallowed turf of Goldington Road as Adamson produced a customary dive into the corner to score the Blues’ sixth try of the afternoon in another scintillating performance from Mike Rayer’s men The last time the Blues played at Goldington Road they ran in 13 tries against a beleaguered Nottingham side and they picked up where they left off with the game’s first score after just three minutes The driving maul from the lineout fell apart but Fred Tuilagi was on hand to snap up the opportunity and take over to bundle across the whitewash with Maisey’s left boot converting to give the Blues an early 7-0 lead Fast hands through the back line found Adamson in an unfamiliar position in the right channel the winger was able to find his counterpart Alfie Garside who proceeded to run in under the posts for the first of an eventual hat-trick the Blues were well in the ascendency thanks to Garside’s second try; beginning with excellent work on the floor by a foraging pack intent on gaining every ball but Garside merely dummied a pass to him and stepped inside to stroll in his brace The visitors were on the board after 21 minutes as Austin Wallis’ lineout and consequential shove was completed by the Scottish hooker and they repeated the trick a few minutes later as Wallis got his second via the same method Normal service was resumed on the half hour mark; the bonus point try secured in simple fashion by Michael Le Bourgeois with Will Maisey scoring a fifth as the Blues stamped their authority on the encounter with a 35-10 lead at the interval The opening moments of the second half were scrappy at best as Dan Nutton reduced the Bedford lead with an early try despite murmurs of a knock-on but it wasn’t long before the crowd erupted at the long-awaited moment Fred Tuilagi intercepted a pass in midfield and although his spin out right was wayward it wasn’t long before the ball made its way out to the opposite wing it was fast ball that worked wonders and it made its way through the hands to find Adamson who sprinted down the left wing to dive in his 146th try for Bedford Blues officially breaking Derek Wyatt’s all-time record It was a roar unlike few others around Goldington Road as Adamson – who also became a Dad in the week – soaked up the applause in a moment that has felt like a long time coming It was almost as if the rest of the team had been distracted by the moment as Scottish hit back immediately from the kick off taking advantage of a Maisey mistake on his own try line to keep the visitors in the game the Scottish defence was proving far too leaky as Garside completed his hat-trick by sprinting through the chasm that appeared to extend the lead to 47-24 with Maisey’s conversion accurate again The action continued at breakneck speed; Garside looked as if he was galloping clear to feed Adamson another but chose the inside route instead where the ball fell to Robbie McCallum only for Le Bourgeois to illegally stop him in his tracks to see yellow McCallum got his own back with a try from the visitors’ next foray forward to keep his team in touch but again the Blues struck next to soar past the 50-point mark as Tommy Herman bundled over Bedford’s eighth When Matt Worley collected an Adamson grubber kick for the ninth after 73 minutes it secured a thoroughly entertaining afternoon of rugby although London Scottish had the last laugh courtesy of a try for replacement 99 points had been scored in what was a classic Goldington Road affair but Bedford Blues were once again at their attacking best in scoring 61 of them as they maintained second place in the Championship Ealing took a further step towards the title as they demolished Cambridge 89-19 away from home while Hartpury remain close on Bedford’s heels in third after seeing off Ampthill 38-14 losing 21-14 to Cornish Pirates who are now just two points behind them in fifth Doncaster Knights beat Caldy 33-15 in Saturday’s other Championship fixture while Chinnor beat Nottingham on Friday night The day however belongs to one man as Dean Adamson wrote himself into Bedford Blues folklore with the try that secures his status as a legend of Goldington Road His 146th try for the club surely won’t be his last Bedford Blues travel to Ampthill in the Battle of Bedfordshire next Saturday (10 May) before another trip away from home to Cambridge where the Men and the Women play on the same day in another double header at Ellgia Fields We use some essential cookies to make this website work We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK remember your settings and improve government services We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports A multi-billion-pound investment in a major new Universal theme park and resort in Bedford has been agreed between Universal in a move that represents a major vote of confidence in the UK economy and the future of partnerships between the UK and the US which is set to be one of the largest and most advanced in Europe will bring nearly 20,000 jobs during the construction period with a further 8,000 new jobs across the hospitality and creative industries when it opens in 2031 Supporting the government’s Plan for Change to create economic growth and opportunities by getting people into well-paid Universal has committed to working with local colleges and universities to train the next generation of its hospitality workforce including through a range of apprenticeships and internships As well as generating significant opportunities the new theme park and resort will bring significant local benefits – with approximately 80% of employees at the theme park expected to come from local areas – and support a stream of ongoing work to unleash the potential of the Oxford-Cambridge corridor through growth infrastructure revitalisation and further job opportunities Universal expects the site to generate nearly £50 billion for the economy by 2055 with 8.5 million visitors expected in its first year – becoming the largest visitor attraction in the UK This will support the government to deliver its growth mission – creating higher living standards and putting more money in people’s pockets Today we closed the deal on a multi-billion-pound investment that will see Bedford home to one of the biggest entertainment parks in Europe firmly putting the county on the global stage combining local and national growth with creating around 28,000 new jobs across sectors such as construction It is not just about numbers; it’s about securing real opportunities for people in our country we are building a brighter future for the UK getting people into work and ensuring our economy remains strong and competitive will be the first Universal-branded theme park and resort destination in Europe and will be part of a larger 476-acre entertainment resort complex Proposed plans from Universal Destinations & Experiences include a world-class theme park with several themed lands featuring Universal’s distinct brand of immersive storytelling innovative attractions and exciting entertainment all utilising sophisticated and advanced technology Initial resort plans also feature a 500-room hotel and a retail We could not be more excited to take this very important step in our plan to create and deliver an incredible Universal theme park and resort in the heart of the United Kingdom which complements our growing US-based parks business by expanding our global footprint to Europe We appreciate the leadership and support of Prime Minister Keir Starmer Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and their teams as we work together to create and deliver a fantastic new landmark destination this investment is a vote of confidence in Britain as a place to do business Universal’s investment will bring billions to the economy and create thousands of jobs to the UK Bringing a world-class theme park and resort to the United Kingdom is a tremendous opportunity and is part of our strategy to introduce the Universal brand and experiences to new audiences around the globe We appreciate the incredible support for our proposed project and look forward to bringing it to life in the years ahead the government will commit to a major investment in infrastructure around the site to support the delivery of the project and ensure it is well connected and easily accessible It comes just days after the government signed-off the expansion of Luton Airport showcasing how the government’s pro-growth agenda is delivering real-life benefits for working people The deal supports the UK’s world leading creative industries a growth-driving sector identified in the government’s modern Industrial Strategy The Strategy will drive investment into high growth sectors unlocking jobs and growth right across the country Universal Destinations & Experiences has a proven track record of building and operating major theme parks and resorts across the globe A Universal development in the UK will join the company’s existing portfolio of destinations across the United States and Asia-Pacific The proposals remain subject to a planning decision from the Ministry of Housing Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details Keir Starmer hails visitor attraction – set to open in 2031 – as a way to bring jobs and growth to region and now Bedford: a “transformative” new British tourist magnet is coming to the home counties – just off the A421 A former brickworks will be the site of a new multibillion-pound theme park from the entertainment behemoth Universal The venture is projected to bring 8.5 million visitors near to the market town The development will create tens of thousands of jobs and become the biggest visitor attraction in Britain The first Universal theme park in Europe, it will squat on a 192-hectare (476-acre) site at the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks as part of a larger complex incorporating a 500-bed hotel and “a retail Though it is “still too early” to think about planned rides and attractions at the resort, Universal has said, among the draws at its most recently opened park in Beijing are the Minions-themed Loop-Dee Doop-Dee the Transformers Megabase Decepticoaster and an area entitled the Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness Universal claims the project will be “transformative for Bedford and deliver significant benefits for the UK economy” was eager to claim credit for any potential benefits “This is our plan for change in action,” Starmer said “combining local and national growth with creating around 28,000 new jobs across sectors such as construction The proposed location – a 192-hectare site that was formerly a brickworks Photograph: Universal Destinations & Experiences/PA“It is not just about numbers; it’s about securing real opportunities for people in our country getting people into work and ensuring our economy remains strong and competitive.” will bring a £50bn boost to Britain’s economy and create 20,000 jobs in construction with a further 8,000 operational roles once it is up and running The enormous project does not yet have planning permission and will be a test of the government’s promise to speed up major construction projects by reducing the scope for legal challenges It has been strongly backed by local government leaders Questioned by Bedford MP Mohammad Yasin last month, Starmer agreed that it was “vital that we do unleash the potential of … Bedford, by generating growth, jobs, and opportunities”. As part of the announcement the government said it will make “a major investment in infrastructure around the site” to ensure it is easily accessible. Read moreEarly discussion of the project – which has been under negotiation for more than a year – made much of Bedford’s relative proximity to London Earlier this week, the transport secretary approved plans for a major expansion of nearby Luton airport – overruling planning inspectors who had recommended blocking the scheme on environmental grounds – which will see annual passenger numbers almost double to 32 million by 2043 As well as Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles Universal also runs resorts in Japan and Singapore The company, rebranded Universal Destinations and Experiences in 2023, is owned by the US telecoms group Comcast, which is also the parent company of Sky. Mike Cavanagh, president of Comcast Corporation, said he “could not be more excited to take this very important step in our plan to create and deliver an incredible Universal theme park and resort in the heart of the United Kingdom, which complements our growing US-based parks business by expanding our global footprint to Europe”. Rachel Reeves, the chancellor said: “At a time of global change, this investment is a vote of confidence in Britain as a place to do business. “Universal’s investment will bring billions to the economy and create thousands of jobs to the UK, putting more money in people’s pockets.” The 476-acre site is expected to see 8.5 million visitors in its first year and generate 28,000 jobs I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Europe’s first Universal theme park is to open in Bedford in 2031 under a deal that will bring in an estimated £50bn to the UK economy Visitors are likely to see rides based on the studio’s most famous film franchises including Minions The attraction is set to create nearly 20,000 jobs during the construction period, with a further 8,000 jobs available across the hospitality and creative industries Sir Keir Starmer sought to strike an optimistic note and talk up domestic strengths amid ongoing market turmoil following Donald Trump’s global trade tariffs “It’s going to put Bedford on the map for millions of people film lovers – people coming here for fun people building their careers here,” he said during a visit to the town “I don’t think this is quite what they meant The multi-billion-pound investment has been agreed between Universal, the government and the local council, and forms part of Labour’s Plan for Change, which aims to create growth and job opportunities across the UK. Across the 496-acre complex, guests will also be able to enjoy entertainment venues, a 500-room hotel and a retail and dining area. As part of a plan to create economic growth, Universal, a major American film production and distribution company, has committed to working with local colleges and universities to provide job opportunities. With the site being the first Universal-branded theme park and resort in Europe, they expect the site to generate nearly £50bn for the economy by 2055, with 8.5 million visitors expected in its first year – becoming the largest visitor attraction in the UK. Mark Woodbury, chair and CEO of Universal Destinations and Experiences, said: “Bringing a world-class theme park and resort to the United Kingdom is a tremendous opportunity and is part of our strategy to introduce the Universal brand and experiences to new audiences around the globe. “We appreciate the incredible support for our proposed project and look forward to bringing it to life in the years ahead.” Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies For best viewing experience of this website Please enter a place name in the search bar After provisionally the warmest May Day on record in the UK higher than average temperatures will subside over the weekend Environment Agency Updated: 08:12 (UTC+1) on Tue 6 May 2025 cloud will increase from off the North Sea to bring a few light showers during the day Some bright or sunny spells developing by late-afternoon Staying dry with some lengthy clear skies overnight Turning chilly with a touch of grass frost in places Largely dry with variable amounts of cloud and bright or sunny spells on Wednesday with variable amounts of cloud and bright or sunny spells throughout the period Dry across the vast majority of the UK with clear or sunny spells but also some patchy cloud Cloud will likely thicken across the far north and northwest during the weekend with some outbreaks of rain for a time There is also a small risk of some heavy showers in the far south or southwest high pressure will be dominant across the UK This will bring predominantly fine and dry weather for the majority of places Temperatures are likely to be slightly above normal for the time of year although there is a chance of some cold nights Fairly typical weather for the time of year is most likely through this period fine and dry weather is more likely to dominate although this will be interspersed with occasional spells of rain and showers with a risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms in places temperatures will most likely be near to or slightly above average Privacy Statement Cookie Policy info@thechiswickcalendar.co.uk About The Chiswick Calendar  Newsletter & Club Card by dwmultimedia We may request cookies to be set on your device We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites and to customize your relationship with our website Click on the different category headings to find out more You can also change some of your preferences Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website refusing them will have impact how our site functions You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains You can check these in your browser security settings We also use different external services like Google Webfonts Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site Changes will take effect once you reload the page You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page Bedford Borough Council has announced the return of the Bamberg Beer Festival It will take place from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 May at the Harpur Suite After a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic this popular festival is back by popular demand continuing the tradition established to honour Bedford’s twinning relationship with Bamberg The three-day event will feature a wide selection of authentic German beers offering attendees a true taste of Bamberg’s renowned beer heritage The festival is a unique opportunity for residents and visitors to come together and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere inspired by one of Bedford’s closest European partners said; “We are delighted to bring back the Bamberg Beer Festival for its 10th anniversary This event not only celebrates our enduring friendship with Bamberg but also provides a fantastic occasion for the community to enjoy great beer “We encourage everyone to join us at the Harpur Suite for what promises to be a memorable festival that highlights the best of German culture right here in Bedford.” The festival’s return reflects the strong enthusiasm from the community and the Council’s commitment to fostering cultural exchange and local celebration For full details, including opening times and ticket information, please visit the Bedford Corn Exchange website at www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk/events/bamberg-beer-festival-2025/  Join us in raising a glass to 10 years of friendship and great beer at the Bamberg Beer Festival Note: image created using Dream Lab on Canva Bedford Borough Council has announced the return of the Bedford Kite and Motoring Festival a biennial celebration of community spirit and family entertainment taking place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June 2025 across Russell Park Bedford Borough Council has announced the successful completion and unveiling of a new renewable energy project: an 84kW solar photovoltaic (PV) array paired with a 69kW battery storage system installed on the rooftop of Queen Street Multi-storey Car Park has already reduced the car park’s electricity consumption by over 50% in March 2025 alone marking a significant step towards the council’s target of net zero carbon emissions by 2030 officially unveiled the project on Tuesday as part of the borough’s ongoing Earth Day series of events This initiative is funded through the council’s carbon management capital budget and was installed by Energy Efficient Solutions Group via the LASER framework a trusted energy procurement and management service for public bodies This solar project is one of three rooftop solar installations the council is delivering with Kempston Pool’s system completed earlier this year and Lurke Street Multi-storey Car Park’s installation scheduled for completion by summer 2025 These projects demonstrate the council’s commitment to harnessing renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs setting a strong example of sustainable infrastructure within the community said; "This solar and battery storage installation at Queen Street car park is a fantastic example of how we are leading Bedford Borough towards a cleaner By cutting energy consumption and carbon emissions we are not only protecting our environment but also reducing costs for the council and our residents.  “I encourage all residents and local businesses to consider joining the Solar Together scheme to take advantage of well-priced solar panels and battery storage helping us all to build a more sustainable and resilient Bedford." Elected Mayor of Bedford Borough added; "I am proud to unveil this important renewable energy project which highlights our commitment to tackling climate change and achieving net zero by 2030 The Queen Street car park solar array is a tangible demonstration of how local government can take meaningful action to reduce carbon emissions and inspire our community to embrace sustainable energy solutions.  “I also urge residents and businesses to register for the Solar Together scheme before the deadline to join this collective effort in making clean energy more accessible and affordable." For more information about Bedford Borough Council’s renewable energy initiatives and to register for the Solar Together scheme, visit:/node/20981 This project and community scheme reinforce Bedford Borough Council’s leadership in sustainable infrastructure and community engagement towards a net zero future residents of Bedford Borough will have the opportunity to join a community-led initiative that makes renewable energy more accessible and affordable The 80th anniversary of VE Day is on Thursday 8 May remembering a pivotal moment in history when the formal acceptance of Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender brought an end to World War II in Europe Bedford Borough Council have announced a flag raising ceremony followed by a weekend service and parade in order to remember and honour not only those who served in His Majesty’s Armed Forces but also to the vital contributions of the Home Front during the war There will be a special VE Day 80 flag raising ceremony on Thursday 8 May from 10.30am – 11.15am at Harpur Square The ceremony will include a one-minute silence at 11am followed by the raising of the VE Day 80 flag; a symbol of national celebration The event is hosted by Bedford Borough Council in partnership with the Bedford Branch of the Royal British Legion this may be the last chance we will have to honour and thank those who served during the Second World War in person” said Royal British Legion Bedford Branch Chairman “We would particularly like to hear from any World War II Veterans still living in Bedford Borough so that they can receive a special invitation to join us on the afternoon of Sunday 11 May.” The additional VE/VJ Day 80th Anniversary Celebrations on Sunday 11 May will be headlined with a parade through the town led by the Bedford Pipe Band There will also be a church service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Church the raising of the official VE Day 80 flag at the Old Town Hall and a troop inspection with presentations in Riverside Square These events pay tribute not only to those who served in His Majesty’s Armed Forces but also to the vital contributions of the Home Front during the war said; “VE Day is a day of profound significance and resilience of those who served and those on the Home Front “As we mark 80 years since that historic day I encourage all Bedford Borough residents to join us in Harpur Square to honour our shared history and celebrate the peace and freedoms we enjoy today let us reflect on the past and look forward with hope.” Bedford Radio are also marking the occasion with a special programme on Monday 5 May from 7pm Read: VE Day to be marked with special programme on Bedford Radio Sunday’s parade begins at 2.30pm from Midland Road towards the church service at St Paul’s from 3pm The flag raising on Sunday will be at 4pm followed by the Troop Inspection and presentations at Riverside Square from 4.05pm The VE Day flag-raising ceremony on Thursday 8 May begins at 10.30am Bedford Borough Council is proud to announce a special VE Day 80 Flag Raising Ceremony on Thursday 8 May 2025 from 10.30-11.15am at Harpur Square (what3words ///chat.point.grows) This dignified event will mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day a pivotal moment in history when the formal acceptance of Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender brought an end to World War II in Europe followed by the raising of the VE Day 80 flag - a symbol of national celebration The service will be conducted with the support of a serving member of the military a bugler playing the Last Post and Reveille and a piper from the Bedford Pipe Band who will perform ‘Celebratum,’ a piece specially composed for VE Day commemorations across the UK said; “VE Day is a day of profound significance As we mark 80 years since that historic day let us reflect on the past and look forward with hope.” Bedford Borough will host further VE/VJ Day 80th Anniversary Celebrations on Sunday 11 May 2025 These will include a parade through the town led by the Bedford Pipe Band a church service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Church Royal British Legion Bedford Branch Chairman this may be the last chance we will have to honour and thank those who served during the Second World War in person We would particularly like to hear from any World War II Veterans still living in Bedford Borough Residents are warmly invited to attend these commemorations to honour the memory of those who fought for peace and freedom The Council has also encouraged communities to come together by hosting local street parties with road closure fees waived to support this spirit of celebration and community cohesion Bedford Borough Council looks forward to welcoming residents to these important commemorations as we remember and honour the legacy of VE Day paid tribute to the bravery and sacrifices made by those who served and continue to serve in defence of our peace and freedom Join us for an Armed Forces Day Parade in Bedford Town Centre on Sunday 30 June for a memorable celebration honouring our serving personnel Bedford Borough Council’s outstanding support for the Armed Forces community has been recognised by the Ministry of Defence the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award Bedford Blues are back in action after a well-earned week of rest looking to cement second place in the Championship table as they welcome London Scottish to Goldington Road on Saturday (3 May) in a rare double header in aid of the Blues Foundation Following the Men will be the Blues Women who step out on to the slope for the final time this season as they host a Hertfordshire side (5:45pm kick off) and with a host of other activity going on it promises to be an excellent day of rugby union at the home of the Blues Confidence in the Bedford camp could not be higher After Mike Rayer’s men demolished Nottingham in their last encounter at Goldington Road they backed it up by seeing off league leaders Ealing in West London to hold the chasing pack for second place at bay Read: Bedford Blues hold off late Ealing surge to seal famous win There are five Championship fixtures remaining and the Blues face all of the bottom five throughout May beginning with ninth-placed Scottish on Saturday the Blues have seen off their biggest challenges although any outside dreams of a dramatic league title still feel too far a step despite the fact that Ealing still have to face third-placed focus will be looking no further than London Scottish who travel to Goldington Road off the back of consecutive defeats including against Ampthill a fortnight ago There’s also the small matter of a try-scoring record at Goldington Road as new Dad Dean Adamson could cap the perfect week with the score that will see him create history as Bedford Blues’ leading try scorer who finished their first season at NC1 East in fourth place are on the Goldington Road turf straight after as Eddie Rennell’s team look to complete their campaign on a high In what is becoming a consistent number of starting line-up changes Mike Rayer makes all three to the front row with a rare start for Northampton Saints’ loanee Nonleh scrums down alongside James Fish and Jamie Jack in all-new front row with Conway Herman and Heffernan all dropping to the bench The rest of the line-up remains the same as the Ealing trip as the Blues hope to keep up the consistency needed to retain second place with a group of strong teams in behind them Tickets for the whole day are available to purchase via the Bedford Blues website here Bedford Blues host London Scottish with a 3pm kick off while the Women’s game against Hertfordshire follows at 5.45pm at Goldington Road A well-known high street brand has opened a new store in Bedford today (30 April) with “sustainability at its heart” Holland & Barrett opened its first store in the UK in 1870 and has added to its 790 stores in the UK and Ireland with a new unit at the Interchange Retail Park celebrating its opening with a special offer for all customers until 14 May The store is located at Holland & Barrett As part of Holland & Barrett’s store transformation programme the new unit has been refitted using mild steel LED powered lighting has also been designed to be more efficient reduce energy consumption and cut carbon emissions The Holland & Barrett team of experts are all qualified to advise customers and offer personalised support for their wellness goals which will also include a Women’s Health Coach to offer a deeper level of expertise and confidential support on hormone health commented: “The team and I can’t wait to launch the new H&B Bedford Interchange store dedicated and knowledgeable team who will be on hand to offer the very best advice and wellness solutions to our customers “We’re here to make health and wellness a way of life for everyone and look forward to welcoming the community of Bedford into our new store where we’ll support them through their wellness journeys.” customers can get 20% off in-store until Wednesday 14 May by quoting ‘Bedford Interchange 20’ at the till point Welcome to our weekly what’s on guide for Bedford and the surrounding area from the Bedford Clanger The Bedford Clanger what’s on guide lands every Wednesday and is the only guide you need to find out what’s on and what’s happening across the Borough for the next 11 days The Bedford Clanger’s What’s On Guide is kindly sponsored by The Cellar Bar Bedford Live music: Guy Griffin & Nashville’s Dylan Taylor ft Max MilliganBedford Esquires @ 7pmTickets: £15 Guy Griffin is set to perform his first acoustic solo shows joined by Vertical Records artist Dylan Taylor from Nashville and world-renowned session guitarist Max Milligan Griffin’s career is rich with collaborations including working with Joe Elliott of Def Leppard on the side project Down ‘n’ Outz as well as recording and performing with Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke and Ian Hunter of Mott the Hoople As part of The Quireboys since 1989 he has also toured worldwide with bands like The Rolling Stones Griffin will pull from his extensive back catalogue all in a “stripped back roots/Americana” style Quiz: A1 SpeedQuizzingThe Cellar Bar @ 8pm   Bar opens at 7pm£3pp to enter the quiz.  Rolling cash jackpot of £150 plus £60 cash for the winning team and other prizes to winTo reserve your table – Quiz nights will never be the same again as SpeedQuizzing comes to Bedford town centre.  Get your team of up to six players together and enjoy a fun interactive night of entertainment hosted by Owen There’s a £60 bar tab to the winners and there is a rolling jackpot each week.  Walk ins are allowed on the night until the venue is full.  Reserve your table online here and get a 20 point head start On the river: Motown cruise on the John Bunyan BoatSovereign’s Quay @ 7.30pmTickets: £26.50 Enjoy an evening of Motown and Soul as the sun goes down on board the John Bunyan Boat as you cruise Bedford’s River Great Ouse DJ Keith Stewart will be playing the best Motown and soul tracks on this two-hour circular cruise from Sovereign’s Quay Morris Dancing: May Day MorrisSilver Faces @ 8pm | The Three Cups you can catch Red Cuthbert Morris as they dance to mark May Day around halfway between the Northern Hemisphere’s Spring equinox and June solstice Red Cuthbert will be marking the occasion in the best way they know by dancing in Bedford Town Centre and then at a pub They’ll be at the Silver Faces at 8pm and then at The Three Cups on Newnham Street at 9pm Live music: Coach PartyBedford Esquires @ 7.30pmTickets: £17 Coach Party are a dynamic British indie rock quartet comprising lead vocalist and bassist Jess Eastwood Their sound seamlessly blends grunge-infused riffs with pop sensibilities drawing inspiration from the raw energy of late-80s Seattle and the angsty undertones of Britpop Coach Party’s relentless touring schedule and festival appearances have solidified their reputation as a formidable live act Their trajectory suggests they’re poised to become a significant force in the UK’s indie music scene Live music:  KaraokeThe Cellar Bar at 8pmFree entry The ONLY place you need to be for karaoke on a Thursday night – The Cellar Bar on the High Street Pure karaoke with over 50,000 songs to choose from Perform like a pro with the Cellar Bar’s professional lighting with the best-sounding performers and acoustics on the High Street Sing with your friends using multiple microphones and hosted by Cameo and Sarah Ellen Quiz: Esquires Monthly Music QuizBedford Esquires @ 8pm£2 per person / max six people per team it’s Esquires music quiz and everyone’s welcome Featuring music from the 50’s to the present it’s £2 per person to enter with teams of up to a maximum of six people.Cash prize for the winning team Theatre: OnceThe Place Theatre@ 7.30pmTickets: from £16 an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant are drawn together by their shared love of music an unexpected friendship and collaboration quickly evolves into a powerful but complicated love story In this highly acclaimed 2022 production of the West End and Broadway smash-hit musical All the music is live and played as part of the story.  Dancing: Planet Swing featuring Chris Lord and her Blues ExpressThe Dance Hall MK42 6EA @ 8pm – 10.30pmTickets: £12.99 An evening for dancers and music enthusiasts alike plenty of seating (night club set up) and dance floor Book in advance and come along at 7.15pm for a 45-minute dance class in Balboa one of the original swing dances of the era just turn up – pay cash at reception – have fun Live music: Irish Folk NightThe Castle A great fun evening of toe-tapping Irish music to sing along to Live music: Tie One OnThe Castle Kick off the bank holiday weekend with a night at the Castle with this three-piece fast-paced rhythm and blues band Live Music: The Krakens The Cellar Bar @ 8.30pm / late closeFree entry The Krakens are back!  This four-piece covers band play a variety of rock songs through the ages featuring songs from: Elton John Food and drink: Beer and Beyond Brewpoint @ midday – 10.45pmTickets: from £15 This year’s Beer and Beyond Festival at Brewpoint will see an incredible line-up of beers – perfect for a seasoned beer aficionado or a curious newcomer Groove to the rhythm of sensational live performances that will keep you dancing throughout the festival Discover talented artists spanning various genres adding an electrifying atmosphere to your beer-filled adventures Fuel your fun with delectable treats from our lineup of gourmet food trucks and Brewpoint’s very own brick pizza oven From mouthwatering pizzas and burgers to tantalizing tacos satisfy your cravings with a diverse array of culinary delights Classical music: Bedford SinfoniaBedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pmTickets: prices vary Delius’ On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring begins a delightful programme of works by English composers in Bedford Sinfonia’s concert this month It will be followed by two orchestral songs by Holst (Country Song and Marching Song) which will then lead to the Arnold Clarinet Concerto played by Paul Harris who will also give a pre-concert talk about the composer and the concerto The programme will conclude with the warm and melodically extravagant Vaughan Williams Symphony No Theatre: Three Acres and a CowSatuday A history of land rights and protest in folk song and story the show connects the Norman Conquest and Peasants’ Revolt with current issues like the housing crisis climate breakdown and food sovereignty via the Enclosures English Civil War and Industrial Revolution drawing a compelling narrative through the radical people’s history of England part storytelling session… Come and share in these tales as they have been shared for generations Theatre: That Knave, RaleighSaturday the award-winning Dyad Productions return to the Elizabethan era to the famous and fabulous Elizabethan explorer Sir Walter Raleigh.  Elizabeth I’s favourite and James I’s knave.  This is a journey through the astonishing highs and lows of one of Britain’s most famous men from history.  But there’s so much you don’t know… See the fall from grace taken directly from historical record marvel at the magnetism of a man who seized every opportunity to create a legacy which spans the centuries and at every wrenching Live music: Double header of live music – Cameo & Five Five SixThe Cellar Bar at 8.30pm / Bar opens at 6pm / Happy hour 6pm – 9pmFree entry.  Cellar Bar favourite Cameo is back for another solo performance so expect a beautiful voice and some cracking party tunes from Dolly Parton to Fleetwood Mac to The Red Hot Chili Peppers and so much in between If you’ve not seen Five Five Six at The Cellar Bar before get ready for a great night of legendary rock tunes.  The Cellar Bar literally rocks when these guys play Children’s Theatre: Michael Morpurgo’s Farm BoyThe Quarry Theatre @ 1pm & 3pm Sunday It sometimes felt as though time had stood still down on the farm – the old Fordson tractor quietly rusting away at the back of the barn Grandpa tending his chickens – that is until the summer his grandson came to stay and the old man started telling stories of what it had been like when he was a boy Following successful UK tours and a critically acclaimed run in New York Michael Morpurgo’s compelling sequel to ‘War Horse’ returns to the stage in this delightful and original music – a moving account of the changing face of the English countryside and a beautifully crafted reminder that stories really can reach out across the generations Community: Polish Heritage DayHarpur Square and Harpur Suite @ 11amFree Polish Heritage Day will return to Bedford on Sunday featuring liver performances from Polish and local artists tradtional Police food and creative folk-themed workshops for all ages This year’s programme has been put together by PBIC in collaboration with Stacja Dom Polski The Polish Language and Culture Association The event will also mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II with a screening of “MYID – Poland in Bedford” a short documentary highlighting local and national Polish history This will be shown inside the Harpur Suite alongside an exhibition titled “MYnalazki” which focuses on Polish inventions and discoveries An afterparty at Stacja Dom Polski will follow the main event and is open to all Follow the Bedford Polish Heritage Day event page on Facebook for updates on performances Walking: “The Life and Times of John Bunyan” guided walkBedford Town Centre @ 11am at the box office at the Harpur Suite Harpur SquareTickets: £4/£2 (Please use the code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee) Discover the story of Bedford’s most famous son who was imprisoned for his non-conformist preaching Visit the site of the cottage in which John and his family lived the churches in which he worshipped and the site of the gaol in which he spent 12 long years and began to write one of the best selling books in history Join the Association of Bedford Tour Guides for one of their fascinating weekly walks Each walk is of 90 minutes to two hours duration and covers a distance of one or two miles Most walks are suitable for people who are less mobile Children of all ages are most welcome on all of the walks but those aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult Each walk costs £4 per adult or £2 for children over eight On the river: Afternoon Tea Cruise on the John Bunyan BoatPriory Marina @ 2pmTickets: £42.40 Enjoy a Special Afternoon Tea Cruise complete with vintage crockery from local caterer Crème Brew Lait You’ll be welcomed aboard with a glass of fruit juice before settling down to cruise Bedford’s picturesque countryside along the river with our Special Afternoon Tea at your table Discover abundant wildlife and view the picturesque countryside from a whole new angle looking out through large picture windows or standing out on the John Bunyan Bow Departing from: Priory Marina at 2.00pm for a 2-hour cruise to Queens Bridge Kempston before returning back to Priory Marina Food and drink: Afternoon teaThe Cellar Bar @ 4pmTickets from £25 / bottomless options available The Cellar Bar has teamed up with Creme Brew Lait to deliver a two-hour themed afternoon tea experience This event is full of Blues and Rock n Roll with The Workshop Boys performing (see below) a twist – they’ve replaced the PG Tips with Pornstar Martinis and Sex on the Beach… to catch up with friends or family and enjoy your afternoon tea.  You can then choose to stay in the Purple Room and enjoy the music in the background or go full throttle and move to the main bar for a fully immersive experience.  Live music:  The Workshop BoysThe Cellar Bar @ 5pmFree entry.  Bar opens at 3.00pm Formed by former members of Los Marbles and Cutting Out The Workshop Boys have fast become one of Bedford’s most loved bar bands You can combine an afternoon of Blues & Rock n Roll with one of the Cellar Bar’s Bottomless Afternoon Tea packages.  The performance is 5pm – 7pm.  Afternoon tea is 4pm – 6pm.  Book online in advance to secure a seat Live music: The A Band present ‘A Drink for Sid’Bedford Esquires @ 5pmFree entry The first bank holiday Sunday in May to celebrate the life of Bedford’s Mr Music ‘Sid Worth’ Sid’s old band ‘The A Band’ will be hosting and featuring some special guests Poetry and Spoken Word: Read Poets SocietyThe Eagle Bookshop @ 7pmTickets: Free but please book via the Place Theatre website Join the Read Poets Society for their monthly reading of poems This month’s theme is Fear and Courage and takes place at the Eagle Bookshop in St Peter’s Street Live music: AcoustopaeaThe Castle Enjoy a relaxed bank holiday Sunday in the company of Acoustopaea a three-piece acoustic band playing a mix of rock and pop covers Live music: EP Launch – The Deities with support from The Switch and Jimmy Judge (The Greensands)The Cellar Bar @ 7.30pm / Doors open at 7pmFree entry The Deities are performing at the Cellar Bar celebrating the fact that they have gone from performing at the venue’s Under 18’s Open Mic Night to lauching their debut EP this month This Bedford-based band of music students from Bedford College combine original rock sounds with ethereal vocals Supporting on the night comes from local acts Jimmy Judge (The Greensands) and The Switch Live music: Tuesday lunchtime concertSt Paul’s church St Paul’s Square @ 1pmFree entry with retiring collection (suggested donation £5) Lunchtime piano recital featuring Leo Little Walk ins are allowed on the night until the venue is full.  Reserve your table online and get a 20 point head start Community Theatre: Abigail’s PartyThe Place Theatre @ 7.30pmTickets: from £12 where the gin flows as freely as the tension in Mike Leigh’s iconic dark comedy Beneath the veneer of polite conversation and cheese and pineapple sticks lies a simmering undercurrent of ambition As Beverly and her husband Laurence host a soirée for their unsuspecting guests—Angela and the anxious Sue (whose teenage daughter is throwing a party of her own nearby)—the evening spirals into a brilliantly uncomfortable clash of class A sharply observed satire of middle-class pretensions and the cracks beneath the surface Abigail’s Party is as deliciously excruciating as it is laugh-out-loud funny Walking: “Bedford in WWII” guided walkBedford Town Centre @ 11am at the box office at the Harpur Suite A walk that reveals the way of life in Bedford and some of the little-known facts about the role it played during World War II Learn how Bedford became the main hub of the BBC during the war and how it also became a centre of wartime entertainment Discover a ‘secret’ Bedford and the connections of the town to the code breakers at Bletchley park Each walk costs £4 per adult or £2 for children over 8 Cruise the Ouse: Fish and Chip Cruise on the John Bunyan BoatPriory Marina @ noonTickets: £32.86 Enjoy a relaxing two-hour lunchtime cruise along Bedford’s picturesque river enjoying a fish and chip lunch Shopping: Bedford Antiques FairKings House @ 245 Ampthill Road A new antiques fair is being launched this month by Rodney Weeks and his daughter Nicola The Bedford Antiques Fair is at King’s House on Ampthill Road on Friday Rodney has over 25 years’ experience in the antiques world and ran many events with is late wife performer and the former owner of the award-winning George James bridal boutique “Sadly I lost my mother in 2019 and this made me re-evaluate my work/life balance and I decided to return to performing alongside promoting events with my father.” Sellers at the event will have a range of antique and vintage items It is hoped that it will become a twice-yearly event National Theatre Live: The Importance of Being EarnestThe Quarry Theatre @ 7pm Saturday & 2pm SundayTickets: £15.50 Three-time Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke is joined by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who; Sex Education) in this joyful reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy While assuming the role of a dutiful guardian in the country Jack lets loose in town under a false identity the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate Max Webster (Life of Pi) directs this hilarious story of identity filmed live from the National Theatre in London Live music: Jenny JoyThe Cellar Bar @ 8.30pm / bar opens @ 6pmFree entry The incredible Jenny Joy makes her debut at The Cellar Bar so expect a night of rock classics Live music:  Cheap ThrillsThe Cellar Bar @ 11pm / bar opens @ 6pmFree entry We’re delighted to welcome Cheap Thrill$ back to The Cellar Bar.  They are a 4 piece classic rock Learning: Saturday WorkshopsRothsay Education Centre Choose from seven exciting one-day Saturday workshops from the history of Bletchley Park to the impact of AI on education The perfect way to find out more about the Rothsay Education Centre Live music: Saturday organ recitalSt Paul’s church @ noonFree with retiring collection (suggested donation £5) Classical music: Continuum: Shakespeare in SongSt Andrew’s Church (Bedford) MK40 2PF @ 7.30pmTickets: £14 (under 18s free) via Ticketsource:  Continuum was founded in 2018 by Harry Guthrie aiming to represent the very best traditions of choral singing The choir prides itself in offering original and dynamic interpretations of firmly established choral repertoire alongside promoting new commissions and under-performed pieces Harry grew up in Bedford before reading Music at Trinity College This concert brings together music inspired by the texts of William Shakespeare Live music:  Danny BartonThe Cellar Bar at 8.30pm / bar opens @ 6pm / Happy Hour @ 6pm – 9pmFree entry The wonderful Danny Barton returns to The Cellar Bar this week playing a mix of acoustic rock and pop crowd pleasers and new material Always guaranteed to get the party started Live music: Mad Mods & EnglishmenThe Cellar Bar @ 10.30pmFree entry Mad Mods have a reputation of packing every venue they play at Their repertoire includes hits from The Who they’ve even been known to smash the odd guitar up on stage Shopping: Bedford Flea, Affordable Art and Local Produce marketHarpur Square @ 10am – 3pmFree entry but Bedford Flea is still a great reason to forego a Sunday lie-in take a stroll along the river and enjoy a lazy Sunday in beautiful Bedford Walking: “Bedford’s Movers and Shakers” guided walkBedford Town Centre @ 11am at the box office at the Harpur Suite You will know of the ‘mugshot’ but did you know it was first introduced into the criminal justice system by Robert Evan Roberts a reforming governor of Bedford Prison in Victorian times?  Join us on this walk and meet Roberts and others who made a difference in Bedford and in the world; an astronomer the first woman county councillor and discover how some of the most attractive private dwellings in Bedford came to grace this area of town.  N.B Please note that this walk starts from St Loyes Dance music: Daytime disco for grown-upsThe Cellar Bar @ 3pm / Doors open at 3pm / Happy Hour til 9pmFree entry hosted by DJ Stevo is the perfect excuse to dance and sing-along to some of the greatest hits ever on a Sunday afternoon And it’s all free – no tickets required Indulge in an afternoon filled with nostalgic tunes The glitterball will be up and the neon outfits on Anyone dressing up will get a free shot from the bar Live music: Optimist play the Sunday Afternoon SessionBedford Esquires @ 5pmFree entry A big welcome back to Optimist who haven’t played the Sunday session for a while Live music: Pom Poko Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pmTickets: £16 following their near sold-out show during Independent Venue Week 2022 The band visit Bedford as part of an intimate UK tour and off the back of their Bella Union released third album ‘Champion’ in late 2024 Exhibition: Colour and LightThe Higgins Bedford until 2 November 2025Free entry Art from the 18th century right up to the present day will be on display at The Higgins Bedford in its new exhibition exploring the fascinating relationship between Colour and Light Read: Exhibition: ‘Colour and Light’ illuminates The Higgins Bedford the exhibition will showcase works from The Cecil Higgins Art Gallery Collection Colour and Light will also feature a specially commissioned artwork by Bedford-based artist as featured on the front cover of the February issue of the Bedford Clanger created in collaboration with four Bedford community groups and is inspired by the works in the exhibition Exhibition: Rediscovering Black PortraitureThe Higgins BedfordFree entry The newest exhibition at the Higgins began as a diversionary lockdown project in 2020 and can now be seen at Kensington Palace the Bodeian Library in Oxford and now in Bedford It features the work of Manchester-born professional opera singer who has lived in the Black Tom area of Bedford since 2018 With all his singing work cancelled during the pandemic Peter began looking for an outlet for his creative talents and started recreating famous and lesser-known Black portraiture paintings using as props whatever he could find around his house It was inspired by the Getty Foundation’s lockdown project gathering a large international online following You can explore the project at his Instagram page @peter_brathwaite they will form part of an installation at the Higgins Bedford which will lead visitors through the main collections and into Cecil Higgins’ house with Peter’s interpretation of The Paston Treasure at its heart Read: ‘Rediscovering Black Portraiture’ at the Higgins Bedford this May Permanent exhibition: Discover the amazing story of a unique religious communityPanacea Museum Bedford MK40 3NX11am – 5pm (last entry 4.30) Thursday – SundayFree entry This fascinating hidden gem of a museum tells the story of the Panacea Society – a Christian group formed in the early twentieth century who created their own ‘Garden of Eden’ in the centre of Bedford The Panacea Museum is located across several Victorian buildings that formed the community’s headquarters It tells the story of the Panacea Society and other similar religious groups Cocktails, Quiz Night & KaraokeThe Cellar Bar from 5.00pm Pit your wits against The Cellar Bar’s resident quizmaster to see if you can win the jackpot every Thursday from 8pm £2 per person entry and a maximum of six per team The winning team will win the jackpot PLUS a round of shots Food & drink: Cocktail mixology masterclassThe Cellar Bar @ 3pm / doors open at 12 noon£30 per person The Cellar Bar’s resident mixologist will explain how to create some outstanding cocktails for your tasting enjoyment it’s your turn to put what you’ve learned into practice by making (and drinking) three cocktails Live Music: Open Mic NightThe Cellar Bar @ 7.30pmFree Entry Every Sunday, join Mat Roberts for the Cellar Bar’s weekly Open Mic night. An opportunity for new and experienced performers to get up on stage and perform. So whether you think you are the next Tom Grennan or just want a good night of entertainment, head to the Cellar Bar from 7.30pm. Bedford Borough Council said a multi-million pound loan is to “re-profile” short-term debt. Data from the UK Debt Management Office (DMO) revealed that the borough council took out a £5 million loan from the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) on 16 April. A council spokesperson said: “In April, the decision was taken to re-profile £5 million of short-term debt over five years in order to assist in managing interest rate risk. “The council will continue to keep all borrowing under review as part of its Treasury Management practices. “Levels of borrowing are reported annually within the Statement of Accounts, and periodically to the Executive and Full Council.” They added that the council holds both short and long-term borrowing. The PWLB is a UK government facility that provides loans to public bodies, particularly local authorities, for capital projects. It was formerly a statutory body with commissioners but is now administered by the UK Debt Management Office (DMO) on behalf of HM Treasury. access content via the FT Edit page on FT.com and receive the FT Edit newsletter London Scottish have named their matchday squad to take on Bedford Blues at Goldington Road A mixture of injuries and unavailabilities have forced London Scottish to shuffle the pack somewhat with the likes of Ethan Clarke and Josh Bellamy coming back into the side the Exiles have still been able to field a strong side Harry Sheppard and Dan Nutton will start at half back for the first time this season with Will Simonds and Robbie McCallum continuing in the centres Wallis and Mpiko continue in the front row alongside Ethan Clarke Ingall and Marshall making up the back five A young campaigner from Bedford has welcomed Bedford Borough Council’s decision to ban “products linked to poor health” in council-owned spaces calling the policy a “major win” for young people 15-year-old Anidunnu, a youth campaigner with Bite Back recently attended a council policy meeting and called the decision a “direct response to growing calls for action to combat commercial pressures from big food businesses on children” Bedford Borough Council recently announced that “products linked to poor health” and vaping will be banned from council-owned spaces with local Green councillors wanting adverts linked to fossil fuels added to the list Read: New policy sees “products linked to poor health” banned from council spaces The policy also includes junk food and high-fat which are key targets for the Bite Back campaign group Bite Back is a youth-led movement campaigning for changes to the way unhealthy foods are made “This decision is proof that young people’s voices are being heard” “The councillors and decision-makers in Bedford have made the right call to protect my generation Junk food advertising targets us every day but this shows that protecting our health is finally being taken seriously There are fast food adverts everywhere.” Bite Back says over a third of 10 and 11-year-olds leave primary school at risk of food-related ill-health in their future including type 2 diabetes and heart disease in part due to a constant exposure to unhealthy food marketing But while the campaign group have called Bedford’s decision “bold” they also say local councils cannot act alone Bite Back has secured billboards across London to block junk food adverts The charity placed 365 billboards – one for each day of the year – in high-traffic areas across the capital’s Lambeth and Southwark boroughs “We’ve bought this ad space so the junk food giants couldn’t – we’re giving kids a commercial break.” Bite Back’s analysis of advertising spend data showed food and drink companies spent over £400 million on street advertising in 2024 alone Research from Bite Back and the University of Liverpool further underscores the “saturation” of advertising found that 57% of food and drink adverts were for HFSS products and these were more common in deprived areas And Anidunnu is just one young person who has had enough It’s like big food companies have a louder voice than our communities do We’re showing that young people aren’t just targets You can find out more about Bite Back’s work here George’s Day celebration on Saturday 26 April 2025 The festivities aim to bring together families and friends to enjoy a day of community spirit and national pride Both Harpur Square and the Harpur Suite will be transformed into a hub of activity George’s Day is a wonderful opportunity for us to come together and celebrate our English heritage This event in Harpur Square and Harpur Suite will provide an amazing day out for all with a range of activities and entertainment to enjoy throughout the afternoon and early evening.  “We have some fantastic entertainment planned for the main stage as well as family-friendly activities available too We are really proud to host this celebration of St Follow Bedford Borough Council on Facebook to find further details as they are announced George's Day is traditionally celebrated on April 23rd each year and is recognised as England’s national day on the anniversary of his death in 303 AD. Admired for his bravery the patron saint of England has captivated British imaginations since the Crusades and the Hundred Years' War George’s Cross flag will be raised at Bedford Borough Hall a flag will be raised at the new flagpole at Harpur Suite at 9.30am and a third flag will also be raised at Old Town Hall Cllr Spice continues; “This is looking to be a fantastic day of celebration and entertainment for all and I am really looking forward to seeing people join us on Saturday 26 April Everyone is welcome along and don’t forget bars and restaurants in Bedford town centre so either come into town early and have a wander around or stay after and make the most of what’s on offer.  “Remember it’s also free to park in Allhallows and Lurke Street multi-story car parks every day for up to four hours.” For further details, please contact markets@bedford.gov.uk  Bedford Borough Council is encouraging residents to come together and celebrate two major community events this year—the 80th Anniversary of VE Day and The Big Lunch 2025—by hosting local street parties To mark World Press Freedom Day (3 May 2025), we are honoured to join other independent publications worldwide in publishing this piece from Olga Rudenko, the editor-in-chief of the Kyiv Independent a Ukrainian English-language online newspaper the Kyiv Independent has been the voice of Ukraine in the world and it serves as a shining example of why local independent journalism is vital to the ecosystem of a healthy community When I started in journalism some 15 years ago that’s what so many people around me seemed to believe The writing was on the wall: journalism was dying New platforms were lining up to tear down that obsolete concept — journalists that’s unfortunate — especially since I just started working in a newspaper and quite liked it faced a number of turbulent events in close succession It started with a revolution—the EuroMaidan protests of 2013-2014—that ousted a corrupt pro-Russian government Read: The Turvey heroes taking humanitarian aid to Ukraine This was followed by the initial Russian invasion and occupation of Crimea Every sharp turn and crisis—be it a revolution or a war—made the public turn to the press for answers when information was a matter of life or death independent media to tell them the truth about the developments around them New media outlets appeared after every crisis and more young people were motivated to carry out journalism’s mission of keeping the people informed while holding the power accountable has a similar origin story; it was born out of a unique crisis tensions were building at the newspaper I worked at Read: How a Bitcoin conference in Bedford changed the way I see financial freedom and human rights The owner wanted tighter control over the editorial output His response was to fire the entire team and re-launch the newspaper with a more obedient staff we quite liked doing independent journalism and didn’t want to go down without a good fight—and what is a better way to fight than starting your own publication We were lucky to be naive enough to do it without funding We launched the Kyiv Independent just three months before Russia invaded Ukraine.  staffed with a mix of Ukrainians and foreigners We have established ourselves as the reliable source of on-the-ground news from Ukraine but we were forced to become one and had to learn on the go someone asked me: Why do you need a local English-language newspaper like that when Ukraine is already covered by some of the world’s best journalists That was true — correspondents from every country were flocking to Ukraine to report on Europe’s largest war in nearly a century We were a motley crew of 20 and 30-year-olds often with English as our second language and with minuscule resources compared to our global competitors This challenge — facing a competitor who’s dwarfing your resources — is familiar to thousands of local newsrooms globally In the world of rapidly shrinking revenues and changing audience habits Media face the pressure to “reinvent or die” — and local outlets And yet maybe our story can give them some much-needed hope the Kyiv Independent has been surviving and growing One key reason for our success is the same as what some would identify as our key weakness — we are local Read: “All these people give us so much more than we give them” How the Ukrainians of Bedford celebrated their Independence Day Our readers recognise the value of local journalism which has boots on the ground and authors who know the place they are writing about by heart We can bring them closer to the real story in the ways that a beautiful interactive feature produced by a big expensive team in a media giant won’t Over 17,000 members have joined us and pledged monthly donations If the readers who follow Ukraine see so much value in local reporting that they show up for it like that then the importance of local journalism is far from being forgotten It gives me hope that despite the unfavourable trends and ever-changing challenges local reporting—the basis of all journalism—will remain strong for many years to come Olga Rudenko is the editor-in-chief of the Kyiv Independent, a Ukrainian English-language online newspaper. The publication is reader-funded, and you can support its work here With thanks to the Public Interest News Foundation (PINF) Network advertising has been temporarily turned off on this story This article is part of a series of articles to help support media literacy A report from the National Literacy Trust has showed that children and young people who read comics were more engaged with reading in general across Bedford and were motivated to read comics because they felt it supported their wellbeing and adults alike – are becoming increasingly popular in Bedford Borough libraries with “opportunities to learn about different cultures” As part of their ‘Year of Reading’ Bedford Borough Council are promoting all sorts of different avenues into a fun and entertaining break from the real world Other findings from the National Literacy Trust concluded that “By advocating for comics as a fun and legitimate reading format we can continue to inspire a future generation of readers and creators” The full National Literacy Trust report can be read here Bedford Borough Council are also promoting different stock types as part of their ‘Year of Reading’ which is taking place throughout 2025 with a wide range of events and initiatives including town centre performances There will also be a range of volunteering opportunities such as the chance for adults to volunteer in local primary schools helping to improve children’s reading skills and life chances Assistant Referees – Veryan Boscawen & Gareth Holsgrove We sat down with Joe Gray ahead of the trip to Bedford at the weekend “This weekend is a big opportunity for us as a group Bedford come off the back of some great form with a big win over Nottingham and toppling Ealing We know we go in as underdogs on Saturday but we are excited to take on that mantle and try and cause and upset.” The two sides last met in December where Bedford ran out winners in an incredibly tight game. You can read all about that here and watch the highlights below Gig Buddies Bedford will join a national celebration of real social lives and late-night fun this spring as part of Stay Up Late Week – a campaign by the charity Stay Up Late The campaign shines a spotlight on how rigid care rotas can prevent adults with learning disabilities from staying out past 9pm – excluding them from the full experience of gigs Gig Buddies Bedford matches adults with learning disabilities and/or autism with local volunteers based on shared interests Gig Buddies will host a special event in Bedford – heading out for dinner and then a live bandeoke night at The Standard said: “I’m so excited to be part of Stay Up Late Week It’s always brilliant when businesses are accommodating and The Standard goes above and beyond for us I’m looking forward to a great night out with a great bunch of people.” I can’t wait to see what people choose to sing at bandeoke It’s such an honour to help create spaces where people can enjoy ordinary activities in their own way – and stay out as late as they like!” Participants from Gig Buddies Bedford say being able to enjoy the same freedom as others is about more than just a night out – it’s about being treated like adults “Being told I have to go home before the night is over makes me feel like I’m not an adult,” said Blaise “We are human beings and adults,” added Lee described the disappointment of having to leave last summer’s Bedford Park Concerts early “People from my house got tickets to see Tom Jones but had to go home before he came on because the staff’s shifts were finishing.” The Stay Up Late campaign aims to challenge these restrictions and promote change across the support sector The charity said: “A night out shouldn’t be a luxury Going to bed early when you don’t want to isn’t normal We’re asking everyone to pick a day and stay up late for something that matters “People are still being told when to go to bed Support workers are still stuck to rigid rotas And too many are denied the right to do what the rest of us take for granted.” Stay Up Late Week follows on from last year’s successful National Stay Up Late Day This year’s week-long campaign gives groups across the UK more time to get involved – from hosting late-night parties and gigs to simply staying out and socialising past the usual curfew To find out more about Gig Buddies Bedford, visit: livingitup.org To learn more about the Stay Up Late campaign, head to: stayuplate.org Lee Bircham has been Bedford Town manager since May 2023 It almost feels like a case of anything you can do Bedford Town clinched the Southern League Premier Central title with a 2-0 win over Stourbridge in front of a crowd of 2,186 just days after Real Bedford became Division One Central champions It is the second year in a row that both Bedford clubs have won promotion having recently abandoned plans to merge for next season Town will now play in National League North or South in 2025-26 the second tier of English non-league football "It wasn't until about 10 minutes before the end of the game that we thought we were going to get the job done," manager Lee Bircham told BBC Three Counties Radio "I think the owners have struck it lucky with what they've spent to get a championship-winning team - I hope they don't expect more of the same because that's a one-off "There's be a big queue of us lining up outside their door now it'll be like a scene from Oliver Twist." The Eagles went into the game against Stourbridge with a three-point lead over rivals Kettering Town Ryan Blake put them ahead in the first half and Jack Davies added the second after 74 minutes to delight their fans at their The Eyrie ground in Cardington Bedford clubs will not merge ahead of next season Football clubs' merger 'only solution' - manager The achievement was all the more remarkable because Bircham expressed the view in January that a merger was the "right solution" for the club because they could not compete financially at Southern League Premier level "It's a totally unexpected promotion There's some monster football clubs in that league and genuinely we wanted fifth from bottom "We lost out on a lot of players (last summer) because we weren't ambitious enough but we got a few wins changed a few players around and the momentum carried on." who has a contract to the end of the 2026-27 season now doubts how "genuine" the merger proposal was - but believes it worked to the advantage of his part-time team it was a masterstroke really," he continued The players are now set for a post-season celebration in Marbella before reviewing the situation as to what will be needed to be competitive next term "We haven't had discussions with players about being National League we haven't got a clue what we're going to do," Bircham added "We're going to make it up as we go - but we have this year as well "I'm going to try and enjoy actually getting promoted before I worry about next season The club has worked so hard to get there and want to stay there The National League will confirm later in the summer which division Town - who were originally founded in 1908 - will play in the Eagles will consider themselves at home Lee Bircham was speaking to BBC Three Counties Radio's Andy Collins Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Get football news sent straight to your phone Top storiesHis stats are better but will Yamal build legacy to rival Messi 'Calamity keeper' or 'human wall' - which Donnarumma will Arsenal face Premier League reaction & Champions League race latest as Forest draw at Palace The final series of Man Like Mobeen has arrived John Simm stars in the provocative 90s drama Warm-hearted comedy with Ben Miller and Sally Phillips Follow two ambitious river restoration projects Who has made Troy's Premier League team of the week Trailblazer Zhao set to take snooker to 'another level' in China Alexander-Arnold leaves as modern Liverpool great - but fans will feel hurt Zhao beats Williams in historic final - highlights VideoZhao beats Williams in historic final - highlights 'Scheffler and DeChambeau wins further raise US PGA excitement levels' Match-fixing scandal to Crucible champion - fall and rise of Zhao 'We need to take a look at ourselves' - Arsenal stalling at wrong time Palmer's brilliance could be key moment in Chelsea's Champions League quest Europa League 'papering over cracks' for Man Utd - Rooney VideoEuropa League 'papering over cracks' for Man Utd - Rooney Ask Me Anything the new BBC Sport service designed to serve you Bayern's 'James Bond' - how Kane clinched his first trophy Nine bolters with a shot of making the Lions squad How 'absolutely outstanding' Palmer 'destroyed' Liverpool VideoHow 'absolutely outstanding' Palmer 'destroyed' Liverpool Still number one & 'sparring' with Draper - return of Sinner Saints 'punch' favourites Leinster in game for the ages VideoVardy the best £1m ever spent - Shearer Poppy's tears Elton John & Happy Gilmore - McIlroy on Jimmy Fallon show Two opposing views on football's transgender ban Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Bedford Borough Council’s planning enforcement and appeals team has exceeded government performance benchmarks despite a rising workload and delays from the national Planning Inspectorate Monday night’s Planning Committee (April 28) heard that the team had secured a 73 percent dismissal rate for planning appeals over the past year The council’s manager for heritage and planning compliance said this was “well above” the 60 percent target set by the government 18 out of 25 appeals were dismissed (72 percent) Mr Johnson said: “An appeal was allowed at Keysoe International Equestrian Centre relating to an all-weather arena “The inspector concluded that the development does not cause harm to the character and appearance of the surrounding area or harm to the living conditions of occupiers of the neighbouring property we received the decision relating to a site for the storage and service of commercial vehicles on land at Bedford Road “That appeal was dismissed as the inspector agreed with the council that the proposal would result in harm to the character and appearance of the area.” He added that the council was successful with two appeal hearings in February One was for outline permission for an agricultural workers’ dwelling at Hill Farm and the other was for a 10-house scheme at Dove House Farm “The Hill Farm case was refused on the basis that the new dwelling in the open countryside could not be justified as the agricultural enterprise had not been shown to be viable,” Mr Johnson said “The Dove House Farm case was refused for flooding reasons and harm to the character of the area “The inspector concluded that the benefits of the scheme outweigh the adverse impacts relating to under provision of on-site informal and amenity green space,” he added The committee was also told there were 78 new enforcement cases lodged and investigated over the last quarter Mr Johnson said: “The team’s resources had to be diverted to address the volume of appeal work “We are also being delayed by the number of appeals against enforcement notices and lawful development certificates which are sitting with the Planning Inspectorate and account for 13 cases.” A report to the committee said the new complaints typically relate to unauthorised business uses use of properties as Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) extensions and alterations without permission development not in accordance with approved plans and car sales or storage It added a prosecution hearing was due to take place at Luton Magistrates Court on March 14 for failure to comply with a Breach of Condition Notice at 1-13 Greyfriars The owner had “failed to discharge a condition relating to noise mitigation measures” and their recent application to remove the condition had been refused due to matters “beyond the council’s control” the court has delayed the hearing until September In a landmark announcement for Bedford Borough Elected Mayor Tom Wootton has shared the exciting news that Universal Destinations & Experiences will establish a world-class theme park and resort on the former brickworks site just south of Bedford positions Bedford as the proud home of Universal in the UK — the country's only park of its kind This transformative project will bring 28,000 new direct and indirect jobs and attract millions of visitors to the area annually a figure expected to rise to 12 million over time Mayor Tom Wootton expressed his enthusiasm for the development emphasising its significance for the local community: “This is a landmark moment for Bedford Borough Universal’s decision to proceed with its theme park and resort in the UK brings exciting opportunities to our doorstep – thousands of jobs and a huge boost for local businesses.  Bedford is the perfect place for this investment – well-connected We’re proud to be chosen as the home of Universal in the UK I’m delighted that our residents and communities will benefit in the years and decades ahead I will continue to work closely with Universal and local stakeholders to deliver for them.” The Universal entertainment resort complex will deliver sustainable It promises to make Bedford a leading destination for visitors and a key hub for business investment securing its place as a thriving and ambitious community Chief Executive of Bedford Borough Council added: “I am excited about the next phase and the borough’s role in elevating the UK’s profile as a leader in the visitor economy and creative industries Bedford Borough is poised to become a must-visit destination and a prime hub for business investment Universal will be one of the largest employers in the region and it is expected that approximately 80% of employees will come from Bedford We have been working closely with Universal Destinations & Experiences for over two years in partnership with national Government and regional stakeholders and it’s great to see the progress made today.” The project has received agreement in principle from the Government to move forward The Universal theme park and resort is expected to open in 2031 exciting entertainment and opportunities for residents and visitors alike Mayor Tom Wootton recently embarked on a tour of Bedford Town Centre businesses alongside John McReynolds Senior Vice President of External Affairs from Universal Destinations & Experiences.  The leaders and chief executives of six local authorities have collectively endorsed Universal Destinations & Experiences’ potential theme park and resort project the region's leadership emphasised the transformative potential of this initiative This free festival promises vibrant kite displays said; "This festival embodies Bedford Borough’s commitment to bringing people together through shared passions From awe-inspiring kites to lovingly preserved vehicles every element celebrates creativity and heritage.  “Partnering with local organisations ensures we deliver an inclusive sustainable event that showcases Bedford’s beauty while supporting community causes like the Sue Ryder’s Dragon Boat Racing – and there’s still time to enter a team!" Attendees can look forward to a weekend packed with entertainment The skies will be filled with professional displays by The Kiteman in Russell Park Adrian Grubb has organised curated exhibitions of classic cars and specialty vehicles for motoring enthusiasts along The Embankment and in Mill Meadows Those seeking activity can enjoy "Come and Try" sessions with the Bedford Borough Sports Development team and Canoe Trail offering water sports There will also be river cruises aboard the John Bunyan Boat.  as part of Bedford Borough’s Year of Reading the event will be hosting an area full of free literacy content to support and encourage children to enjoy reading It will feature book readings from fantastic local children’s authors alongside a number of workshops.  The festival caters to all families with a storytelling area and a special educational needs and disability (SEND) friendly zone Live music will fill the air from the bandstand there will be bars and delicious food on offer and the Green Earth Café will host the vegan lounge with food The event takes place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June this festival is a cornerstone of Bedford’s cultural calendar Don’t miss the chance to experience two days of joy The festival programme will be shared on www.bedford.gov.uk/KiteAndMotoringFestival and on this same page you can find opportunities to exhibit or trade along with how to sponsor the event and advertise your business to visitors This year, Sue Ryder will be hosting Dragon Boat Racing at Bedford Kite and Motor Festival, in association with Bedford Borough Council and New Wave Events. Over 20 crews will be battling it out on the water. Find out how to register a team at www.sueryder.org/get-involved/fundraise-for-us/events/bedford-dragon-boat-race/  attracting around 1,000 attendees for a day of fun and valuable information for local families Children spent their Easter holidays adding a splash of colour outside Pine Cones Family Hub Four local artists are hosting children’s printmaking workshops at the Higgins Bedford during May half term inspired by the museum’s forthcoming exhibition and Anne-Marie Abbate will run the Print It events from 27 to 30 May taking inspiration from Edward Bawden Printmaker Edward Bawden (1903 – 1989) was known as ‘the master of the linocut’ and on his death he bequeathed around 3,000 of his works to the Higgins in Bedford The workshops will be a unique opportunity for children aged five to 12 years old to explore the world of Bawden printmaking and creativity and make a masterpiece to take home Places must be booked in advance and cost £5.50 per child families can explore the Edward Bawden Printmaker exhibition which celebrates Bawden’s remarkable legacy as ‘The Master of the Linocut’ and offers visitors a chance to delve into his innovative techniques and artistic achievements said; “The Higgins Bedford is a cornerstone of culture in our community and Print It is a fantastic way to inspire young minds while showcasing the incredible talent of local artists “We encourage everyone to book their places early and make the most of this creative experience during the half-term holiday.” You can find out more information and book a place at the Print It workshops here Henry Godsal, head of investment strategy and asset management for Savills Cambridge, considers the wider implications of Universal’s giant theme park There was much excitement when Universal Studios confirmed plans for its first European theme park in Bedford to be known as Universal Studios Great Britain The multibillion-pound project will be built on a 476-acre site to the south of Bedford which was formerly the Kempston Hardwick brickworks there will be some disruption while the project and its associated works are completed but it is expected to attract millions of visitors annually when Universal conducted public consultation in 2024 it showed 92 per cent local support including the mayor and council giving the plans a very warm welcome It also helps to put Bedford firmly on the map which gives a useful shot in the arm for the government’s planned Oxford – Cambridge Growth Corridor shifting the focus from the large-scale growth plans for Oxford and Cambridge themselves East West Rail phase one between Oxford and Milton Keynes is anticipated to be operational later this year and expect to see renewed enthusiasm for the next phases to include Bedford and then on to Cambridge The wider impact for property owners around Bedford There will undoubtedly be demand for industrial space to support the development of the theme park Bedford is already a recognised distribution location due to its proximity to the M1 with prime rents of circa £13 per sq ft in Bedford and £15 per sq ft in nearby Milton Keynes This is shown by the strong levels of interest reported to be chasing Goodman’s sale of their prime distribution park We expect to see continued growth in Bedford’s prime industrial rents not only from potential suppliers to the new theme park but also from the increased influence and awareness around the Oxford – Cambridge Growth Corridor In addition to the impetus that the proposed development will have to East West Rail Universal have committed to an upgrade of the train line and station in the new town of Wixams to the south of Bedford and adjacent to the proposed theme park Improvements to the A421 and to central Bedford train station have also been committed to supporting tourists and daily commuters long after the park opens the Government has committed to 1.5 million new homes in this Parliament and whilst the new plans raise awareness of Bedfordshire the planned infrastructure improvements and economic benefits will make this a key area for continued housing development Construction of the new town of Wixams started in 2007 and plans for further phases will make sense and grow in popularity A major tourist attraction will also mean the need for more travel accommodation Whilst the Universal plans include a 500-bed hotel there will be a wider need across the region to support the anticipated 8.5 million annual visitors to the park Local educational institutions like Kimberley College will also receive a boost with plans by Universal to partner up to offer training programs and internships to equip young people and workers with skills for long-term careers Universal notes that 50 per cent of its resort management staff globally began as hourly workers While Bedford sits in the centre of the Oxford – Cambridge Growth Corridor benefitting from knowledge based industries growth the new dimension added by Universal Studios and the associated development makes it an exciting time for property owners in Bedford © Eastern Echo (powered by ukpropertyforums.com) Sign up to receive our weekly free journal, The Forum here UK Property Forums enable forums and events in the property sector which help to create business development opportunities Office Address:UK Property Forums Ltd is located in Reading 0203 478 7340info@ukpropertyforums.com We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again Bedford Borough Council has launched a new commercial food waste collection service to support local businesses in complying with new Simpler Recycling legislation aims to help businesses separate food waste from general waste The Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) estimated that in 2021, total food waste in the UK amounted to 10.7 million tonnes A research briefing from the House of Commons found that most food waste comes from households (60%) hospitality and food service (10%) and retail (2%) said; "We are proud to launch this new commercial food waste collection service which marks a significant step forward in Bedford’s commitment to environmental sustainability.  “By helping our local businesses comply with the Simpler Recycling legislation we are not only supporting them to meet legal requirements but also contributing to a greener future for our borough This service transforms food waste into valuable energy and organic fertiliser reducing landfill and carbon emissions.  “I encourage all eligible businesses to embrace this opportunity and join us in making Bedford a cleaner The service has been developed by the council's Commercial Services team in collaboration with its Refuse and Recycling team It is designed to provide all businesses across the borough with an efficient and environmentally friendly way to manage their food waste All food waste collected will go to an anaerobic digestion plant located in the Borough operated by BioGen – the UK’s leading operator.  Anaerobic digestion is a process in which bacteria break down organic matter These bacteria convert the waste to biogas which is extracted and is currently used to produce electricity This is then exported to the National Grid to supply households and businesses with green energy The solid matter left behind is used as an organic fertiliser As well as being better for the environment recycling food waste is a much cheaper process allowing the council to pass on cost savings to service users commented; "Bedford Borough Council is committed to supporting our local businesses in reducing their environmental impact This new service not only helps businesses comply with the latest recycling regulations but also contributes to our broader goal of reducing waste and promoting sustainability across the borough.” Businesses interested in the service can receive a no-obligation quotation from the Council's Commercial Services team outlining the benefits and details of the collection service For more information or to ask for a quote for this commercial food waste collection service, businesses can visit the Bedford Borough Council website at www.bedford.gov.uk/CommercialServices  Bedford Borough Council is urging residents to be vigilant and report any instances of fly-tipping The Council remains committed to tackling environmental crime and has once again achieved a successful prosecution against a fly-tipper The RSPCA is appealing for help tracing the owner of a five-foot-long Mexican Black Kingsnake that was rescued from a rainwater drain in Thurleigh was spotted by a concerned member of the public who saw it partially emerging from a drain cover before becoming stuck was able to remove the cover and carefully rescue the snake which was in poor condition and showing signs of distress “The snake probably wouldn’t have survived much longer in that drain,” said Nicole “We’re very grateful to everyone who helped in the rescue and also to the South Essex Wildlife Hospital for identifying the species and assisting with its care.” The snake was taken for overnight treatment and warming and is now recovering at a private exotic boarding facility It is currently being treated for suspected respiratory issues possibly caused by its time in the drain water and abscesses along its body and the RSPCA urges anyone who may have lost a Mexican black kingsnake to come forward Anyone with information is asked to call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 “We suspect this snake could be an escapee this incident also serves as a reminder of the challenges of keeping exotic animals as pets.” Mexican black kingsnakes are non-venomous constrictors they require specific care to remain healthy The RSPCA said snakes depend entirely on their owners for survival They also warned that non-native pets released or escaping into the wild can threaten native species it is illegal to release or allow any non-native animal to escape If anyone finds a snake they believe to be non-native they should keep a safe distance and call the RSPCA’s helpline or a local reptile charity for advice.