Bedfordshire

An award-winning Bedford curry house has done it again – picking up two more gongs at the English Curry Awards 2026.

Bedford-founded charity and social-impact micro-business, Madad, is entering a new phase of growth after moving its Bedford charity store to the Harpur Centre…

Police have released these pictures of a missing 16-year-old as they appeal for help to find her.

Schoolchildren are being invited to take part in this year’s Bedford Junior Aquathlon.

Didn't get the A-level grades you were hoping for today? Take a breath. From UCAS Clearing and degree apprenticeships to retakes and gap years, here is what you need to know about your next steps...

Bedford Blues have announced an extension to their strategic partnership with Prem champions, Northampton Saints. Headlines so far include the resumption of the Mobbs Memorial match...

A pair of Bedford School rowers have won international gold medals on the water for Team GB at the Coupe de la Jeunesse in Lucerne, Switzerland. Ewan and Oliver, who are upper sixth formers...

An application to build apartments on the former Rushmoor School in Bedford have been resubmitted.

A charity cycling challenge which stopped off in Bedford on Monday (August 10) is raising money for good causes including children’s charity FACES.

Automated upload portals might save corporate publishers time and money, but they destroy public trust. Here is why proper ethical journalism will always come first for our readers...

Bedfordians can witness a rare deep partial solar eclipse this evening, with the Moon obscuring around 90 percent of the Sun. Here is how local families can enjoy the event safely...

A Bedford-based charity supporting people facing homelessness has announced that it will be closing its popular day centre on Prebend Street. SMART CJS has announced that the...

A 20-year-old from Bedford has secured a permanent job at the John Bunyan Sports and Fitness centre after taking part in its supported internship programme. Sophie Plummer completed a...

Consultation launched on the future of reablement services john.day Tue 11/08/2026 4:36pm

11 August 2026

Health and social care

We're encouraging residents to have their say on proposals to close Evergreen in Ampthill and deliver Step Up / Step Down (SUSD) bed-based reablement services from Redwood Reablement Suite in Houghton Regis.

Find out more and have your say

Step Up / Step Down services provides short-term care and reablement support for adults who need help to avoid a hospital admission or help to regain their independence following a stay at hospital.

We currently operate SUSD services from 2 locations:

• Evergreen, Ampthill (6 beds)
• Redwood Reablement Suite at All Saints View, Houghton Regis (8 beds)

Under the proposal, Evergreen would close and all bed-based reablement services would be delivered from the Redwood Reablement Suite in Houghton Regis.

Over recent years, increasing numbers of people have been supported successfully through our Home First approach and community-based reablement services. This has resulted in fewer people requiring bed-based support and existing bed capacity has been underused for years. By closing Evergreen, it would match current demand more closely and avoid empty beds for long periods in the service.

Councillor Mark Smith, our Executive Member for Adult Social Care, said:

The Step Up / Step down service is an important service which helps people remain independent and get people back on their feet.

By centralising services at All Saints View it makes better use of a purpose-built facility for reablement and allows us to increase our capacity to offer people more options to access Home First and other community-based services. These options have shown to be more effective and successful. This leaves bed-based support available for people who really need it the most.

It’s important to give us your views on this proposal even if you haven't or don't think you will use the service. It could be something you or a loved one may need in the future.

The consultation forms part of our ongoing work to ensure services remain sustainable, effective and provide value for money while continuing to support residents to regain their independence.

The consultation is now open, and we're keen to hear the views of:

• people who have used or may use reablement services
• carers, family members, and advocates
• health and care partners and staff within this sector
• residents and community organisations

Feedback received during the consultation will help inform our assessment of the proposal before any final decision is made.

The consultation runs from 11 August 2026 until 2 November 2026.

Bedford council has this week brought in new parking permit bays.

People across Bedford will have the chance to witness a spectacular partial solar eclipse tomorrow – with more than 90 per cent of the Sun expected to be obscured.

On Sunday, 12 July, Wixams hosted its first junior parkrun, with runners and families labelling it an "instant hit", allowing it to to return every Sunday morning as a weekly fixture of the community...

A new petition demands urgent government funding to upgrade M1 Junction 13, warning local drivers face total gridlock when Universal Studios opens in 2031 alongside major housing...

Members of staff from a charity in Bedford are taking on a 24-hour ultra marathon to raise vital funds and inspire others to support people rebuilding their lives. Stuart McCaw and Luck Clements...

Gold medal-winning Chelsea Flower Show garden officially opens at Leighton Buzzard Youth Centre jenny.howard Mon 10/08/2026 2:29pm

10 August 2026

Children and young people

A gold medal-winning garden from this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show has officially opened at Leighton Buzzard Youth Centre, where it will provide a dedicated outdoor wellbeing space for children, young people and families.

An official opening event in July brought together councillors, staff and local families to celebrate the garden's arrival and explore its new permanent home.

Designed by award-winning landscape architect Patrick Clarke for The Children's Society, the garden was created in response to the growing pressures on young people's mental health. Inspired by workshops with young people, it was designed to provide a welcoming outdoor space where children and young people can connect with nature, support their wellbeing and access services in a calm environment.

Following its appearance at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the garden was carefully dismantled and transported to Leighton Buzzard Youth Centre, where it was rebuilt over 4 weeks. Young people from the youth centre also helped plant the final beds, becoming part of the garden's journey from the very beginning.

Councillor Gareth Mackey, our Executive Member for Children and Families, said:

It was a pleasure to attend the official opening and see this fantastic space being unveiled for the community. The garden is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when organisations work together with a shared commitment to supporting children, young people and families.

We're proud that Leighton Buzzard Youth Centre has been chosen as the garden's permanent home. Planting a tree is one of the most hopeful things we can do, and I'm excited to see how this space grows with the young people and families who use it. I hope it provides a place where generations of children can connect with nature, support their wellbeing and find happiness for many years to come.

The space is already being used for youth work sessions and will support a range of activities, including family sessions, gardening projects and wellbeing initiatives.

For decades, adult social care has been the issue that successive Prime Ministers have known they need to tackle — and then found a reason not to. There have been reviews, commissions...

Bedfordshire County Cricket Club enjoyed the finest day of their season so far as they beat both Shropshire and Norfolk to reach National Counties T20 Finals Day on Sunday (9 August)...

Two goals and an assist from home debutant, Jordan Ponticelli helped Real Bedford twice battle from a goal down to eventually beat Leamington 4-2 on the opening day of the Southern League...

A new report is calling for the Sandy Heath Transmitter to remain on air until at least 2044, to avoid risks of cyber attacks, power cuts and major national emergencies.

Inspired by the experiences of one of their regulars, the Burnaby Arms in Black Tom is organising a range of events throughout the summer to fundraise for a community defibrillator...