Bedfordshire

Bedford Blues eventually picked up maximum points on Boxing Day at Goldington Road, scoring five tries in beating a resilient Richmond side 33-10 in round 12 of Champ Rugby...

Wiltshire Police has charged six men - including one from Sharnbrook in Bedfordshire - with more than 60 sexual offences against one adult victim over a 13-year period...

You may remember last year when we revealed plans to built flats at Ford End Road were afoot.

There’s a lot going on in the run up to Christmas, according to the latest public notices on our site.

Your weekly what’s on guide for Bedford and the surrounding area from The Bedford Clanger. Never miss a thing in Bedford ever again. From theatre to film, live music to art exhibitions, The Bedford...

The internationally recognised award celebrates pupil-led environmental action and the collective efforts of young people and educators to make schools greener, cleaner and more environmentally responsible.

The Eco-Schools programme, delivered in England by Keep Britain Tidy, is a global initiative operating in more than 100 countries and engaging over one million young people nationally each year.

We supported schools throughout the year, providing in-person Eco-Forums, one-to-one advice for Sustainability Leads, a monthly eco-newsletter and access to Green Boxes to help schools deliver impactful projects. Activities ranged from reducing plastic waste and cutting energy use to improving school grounds and promoting sustainable travel.

Find out more about Eco-Schools.

Councillor Tracey Wye, our Executive Member for Climate Change and Resilience, said:

Seeing so many of our schools achieve Eco-Schools Green Flag status is truly inspiring. These awards recognise not just environmental action, but the passion, creativity and leadership shown by young people across Central Bedfordshire. From Tiny Forests and eco-gardens to reducing plastic and cutting carbon, these projects show that our next generation is already leading the way on climate action. I’m incredibly proud of every pupil, teacher and school community involved, and grateful to our Sustainability Team and sponsors for helping to make this success possible.

Adam Flint, Education Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said:

Every year, we are amazed by the incredible efforts of young people working together to create a better future for all. When a local authority dedicates time and resource to engaging young people in environmental action leadership teams take note, buy-in is increased, and a sustainability movement is born that extends way beyond the school gates and unlocks a generation of changemakers who are passionate, informed, and ready to lead the way toward a more sustainable world.

The programme was supported this year by sponsors M Group, Prologis UK and Tritax Big Box Developments Ltd.

Get involved

Schools across Central Bedfordshire are encouraged to sign up for Eco-Schools this year to access new resources, eco-activities, and opportunities to further their sustainability journeys. Registration is free.

Find out more about Eco-Schools.

The flood alert has now been lifted.

Bedford Borough Council is working with National Highways, developers and Shortstown Parish Council to get a crossing installed.

The closure is expected to be short, lasting approximately a week, with a provisional re-opening date of Tuesday, 20 January 2026. The bank and children’s centre will not be affected.

To minimise disruption, all items currently on loan from Biggleswade Library will be automatically renewed until 30 January 2026. Customers are welcome to keep their items during the closure. However, anyone wishing to exchange items before the library reopens can visit nearby libraries at Sandy or Potton.

Residents can stay up to date with any changes by visiting the libraries website.

Some services will continue to operate at Biggleswade Library during the closure:

• Barclays Bank will continue to offer a service by appointment only – customers should contact Barclays Bank directly on 0345 7345345 for further information
• Biggleswade Children’s Centre will continue to operate, with all access via the rear entrance

The Registration Service will not be offering appointments at Biggleswade Library during the closure; however, you can book your appointment for the Ampthill office. Please contact the registration service direct on 0300 300 8000 or email life.events@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk. to make or rearrange an appointment.

While Biggleswade Library is closed, customers will still be able to borrow books and access the full range of library services at any Central Bedfordshire Library, or by using the 24/7 library services. Library users will also be able to access digital services from home, including ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and newspapers, using the Libby, BorrowBox and PressReader apps.

Councillor Tracey Wye, our Executive Member responsible for Library Services, said:

After the wonderful refurbishment of the library it is a real shame to see the water damage, which came from the external drainage system. People will have seen the work going on for that repair, and now that it is fixed, it is time to work on the inside. I appreciate it is not ideal to have to close the library, but it will allow the work to be done in less time while keeping everyone safe.

This period just after Christmas and before the February half term is also one of the quieter times for library use. We thank customers for their patience and understanding while these necessary works are completed.

Bedford Athletic finished the calendar year with a 31-22 win at home to Peterborough in Regional Two Midlands East. They had to do it the hard way, coming back from a 22-12 half time deficit...

According to the council, there will be no homeless families living in hotels or B&B accommodation over the festive period.

A public consultation is set to take place asking for your views on a new development at land south east of Bedford.

Following winning the Young Achiever Award (Ages 14-21) in the Bedford Independent Everyday Heroes awards, Urban Judge continues to stay dedicated to YouthTV and his...

Richard Fuller has hit out at what he says is the Government’s decision to deny financial support to council following tragic Cleat Hill explosion.

Drivers in and around Bedford will have four National Highways road closures to watch out for this week.

A dominant second half display this Saturday (20 December) earned Bircham’s Bedford Town a 1-1 draw against playoff-chasing Marine, distancing them from the drop in National League North...

Bedford Blues extended their impressive unbeaten run in Champ Rugby on Saturday, scoring five tries as part of a superb 35-19 victory against Worcester Warriors...

19 December 2025: Greyfriars grudge, Truss issues, On yer bike, Rollercoaster spin, and Pub etiquette. Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough and tells us...

This includes repairing a drainage channel to reduce flooding risks and maintaining the site to ensure it remains accessible and convenient for staff and visitors for years to come.

For the work to be carried out safely, the site will need to close to the public from 12 January 2026 for up to eight weeks.

During this period, we are offering additional booking slots at the nearest alternative household waste recycling centre (HWRC) sites at Thorn Turn and Ampthill. Residents are encouraged to use the online booking system. People who are unable to access online services can call and book a slot with Customer Services on 0300 300 8000.

Residents will continue to receive their kerbside collections - check collection dates.

Councillor Tracey Wye, Executive Member for Sustainability and Climate Resilience, said:

I appreciate there is never a good time to carry out repair works and this will inconvenience some people, but I am sure most of us will understand the need to fix the drainage before it becomes a bigger job. We are lucky in Central Bedfordshire to have four HWRCs, and with the extra slots being made available at Thorn Turn and Ampthill, people should be able to continue to carry on recycling.

She added:

The council website also has pages of other ideas for reusing, repairing and repurposing unwanted items which people might find to be even more convenient.

Find recycling advice

Alternatives to visiting an HWRC include:

• using the council’s A–Z list of items which can be reused, repurposed and recycled
• donating usable items to charity or the Thorn Turn ReUse shop
• checking local social media for dates of repair cafés
• using Freecycle or Facebook Marketplace to offer items to others
• bagging small electrical items, most batteries, textiles and shoes and putting them out with your kerbside recycling bin
• booking a bulky waste collection

Side Street Burgers is opening a new branch in Bedford High Street this month.

Sixty households in Little Staughton, have raised nearly £1,000 for The Robin Cancer Trust by donating money they would usually spend on Christmas cards.

We know it’s hard to keep track of the days over the Christmas period – and you definitely don’t want to miss bin day with all that extra waste.

A 44 year old man previously from Bedford has been jailed for five and a half years after sexually assaulting a woman while she slept following a party, with Bedfordshire Police praising the victim’s...

One YMCA has renewed its Investing in Volunteers standard, with assessors praising its inclusive culture, strong support for volunteers and plans to grow volunteering across Bedfordshire...

Little Staughton villagers raise nearly £1,000 for The Robin Cancer Trust by ditching Christmas cards in a long-running festive fundraiser that has topped £15,900. Sixty households...