Local News
University of Bedfordshire appoints Professor Deborah Johnston as Vice Chancellor
Professor Deborah Johnston MBE has been appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire, succeeding Professor Rebecca Bunting. Professor Johnston joins the University from...
Local messages
Bedford Ian writes…
5 June 2026: WTAF? Dirty business, Off air, and Brucie bonus. Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he thinks of it all…
Councillors approve Bedford gaming centre after finding concerns were ‘real and credible’
A Bedford Borough Council licensing panel approved a new 24-hour gaming centre in Silver Street despite describing concerns about crime, disorder and vulnerable people as “real and credible”...
Get Weekly Updates
Get the headlines in your inbox every week.
Bedford woman slapped with order to protect children from exploitation in first for county
A woman from Bedford has been slapped with a slavery and trafficking risk order in a bid to protect vulnerable young people.
Mid Bedfordshire MP says he was not invited to Universal resort announcement
Mid Bedfordshire MP Blake Stephenson has questioned why he was not invited to a government announcement marking the next stage of the planned Universal United Kingdom Resort development...
Universal United Kingdom Resort: Bedfordshire MP 'disappointed' to be left out of major announcement
The MP whose constituency includes the site of the planned Universal theme park has questioned why he was not invited to a government announcement about the project.
Monthly column: Summer of fun and safety
Over the next few weeks, we should hopefully be enjoying some super Bedfordshire summer weather. We shall also be enjoying the World Cup and, next month, the Bedford River Festival...
Bedford woman subject to county’s first Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order
A Bedford woman has become the subject of Bedfordshire’s first Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order, designed to protect children from criminal exploitation. The interim order was granted...
Bedford council cuts agency social worker numbers as permanent workforce grows
New figures show Bedford Borough Council reduced the number of agency social workers in children’s services from 50 to 31 in a year, while permanent staffing increased...
Music in the Meadows returns to Bedford Embankment this summer
Visitors to The Embankment can look forward to free live music concerts every Sunday throughout August at the Mill Meadows bandstand.
Join Bedford barber Ricky for 24-hour walk for mental health charity
Barber Ricky Cataldo will be swapping scissors for hiking boots when he takes on a 24-hour charity walk in aid of mental health charity MIND.
Bedfordshire hospital theatre staff vote for strike action in overtime pay dispute
Operating theatre staff at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have voted for strike action in a dispute over changes to overtime payments. UNISON said staff at Bedford and Luton & Dunstable...
Council tenants help improve housing services in Central Bedfordshire
Council tenants have contributed to plans to help improve housing services in Central Bedfordshire.
Monthly column: From Timor-Leste to Bedford: The community builder honoured by the King
When Azito Da Silva arrived in Bedford in 2016, he could never have imagined that less than a decade later, he would be attending a Royal Garden Party in recognition of his contribution...
Monthly column: Don’t Lose the Ouse
In the recent heatwave, with the hottest temperature in May on record, some will have enjoyed time in their parks and gardens (perhaps seeking shade). But others might, like us Greens...
High Court injunction to halt work or occupation of land off A6 at Wilstead
A High Court injunction has been obtained by Bedford Borough Council to prevent any additional works or occupation of land off the A6 between Wilstead and Wixams.
Marathon cycle challenge headlines another summer of fundraising at Bedford Cricket Club
Four members of Bedford Cricket Club will be embarking on a marathon 160-mile charity cycle ride this Summer in aid of a charity close to the club's heart, the Ruth Strauss Foundation...
Bedford council approves recovery plan to tackle adult social care waiting lists
Bedford Borough Council has approved a recovery plan aimed at reducing adult social care waiting lists and waiting times after concerns were identified by the Care Quality Commission...
Universal backs Bedford River Festival in first major community sponsorship
Universal Destinations & Experiences and Gallagher Developments have been announced as headline sponsors of the 2026 Bedford River Festival. The company behind the Universal United...
Improvement plan for Bedford adult services aims to cut waiting lists in wake of watchdog criticism
Bedford Borough Council’s Executive has approved a recovery plan that will deploy additional resources to reduce adult social care waiting lists and waiting times following concerns identified by a national watchdog.