Bedfordshire

Both Bedford Town and Real Bedford were in FA Trophy 3rd qualifying round action on Saturday afternoon but succumbed to convincing losses as their involvement in the competition was stopped in its tracks...

Joel Matavesi's 78th minute try secured another dramatic win for Bedford Blues against a belligerent Hartpury side as Mike Rayer's men bounced back from defeat in scintillating style on Saturday afternoon...

The man in charge of National Highways in the East of England has rejected calls the A421 flooding is a "national disgrace" after comments were made about the flood clearup at a public meeting...

Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Plan is aimed at the justice system and improving it for the public, the county’s currently retired top cop has said. The police and crime commissioner (PCC)...

A Blackpool woman says she will keep fighting back against nuisance behaviour, but says the persistent drug use and fly-tipping ‘grinds her down’.

Wow our lives could look so different 🤯

Pats of the flooded A421 could be open next week – but National Highways has confirmed that some parts of the road will need to be re-laid after tests revealed safety had been compromised.

A Cineworld spokesperson has confirmed that Cineworld Bedford will finally close on Sunday.

Black people in Bedfordshire were almost four times as likely to be stopped and searched by police than white people last year, new figures show.

A pizza and kebab takeaway in Bedford needs major improvement, according to the Food Standards Agency.

Pupils in Bedford will receive more funding than their peers in the East of England, new figures show.

National Highways has told the Bedford Independent that the A421 could be open by Wednesday (9 October) pending safety checks. In an interview with this newspaper, Martin Fellows...

A cinema that has been open for more than three decades will close on Sunday.

Bedford Cineworld will close permanently as part of a restructuring process after the company entered administration in July 2023.

A multi-screen cinema has been at the Aspects leisure park site since 1990, and it was run by the Virgin Group before Cineworld took over in 2005.

The chain said in a statement: "We would like to thank all of our customers, past and present, for choosing Cineworld Bedford as their local cinema."

Vue now operate the only remaining cinema in the town at Riverside Square.

Cineworld had announced plans to close six cinemas across the UK as part of a wide-ranging restructuring plan.

It was estimated the chain had a debt of almost £4bn.

The company said it would enter negotiations with landlords at an unspecified number of sites to try to reduce costs.

These negotiations saved a Cineworld in Leicestershire.

Since opening in April, Not Another Jungle has - along with the town’s other aspirational independent traders - helped rewrite the retail rules in Bedford. The shop front looks stunning...

Bedford Blues are back at Goldington Road on Saturday afternoon, seeking the winning feeling again after a despairing display against Coventry last week left Mike Rayer's men with one win and one defeat...

Palliative and bereavement charity, Sue Ryder, which looks after the St. John Hospice at Moggerhanger, has been forced to cancel their forthcoming Starlight Hike, due to take...

The Green Flag Award is recognised as a symbol of excellence in environmental education and sustainable practices. 14 local schools have achieved a Green Flag with Distinction and 5 more earned a Green Flag with Merit for their innovative and outstanding sustainability projects.

Administered by the Eco-Schools programme, which is part of the Keep Britain Tidy environmental charity, the award celebrates schools that have embedded sustainability into their curriculum and daily activities.

Councillor Tracey Wye, our Executive Member for Sustainability and Climate Resilience, expressed her admiration for the schools’ achievements:

We should all be proud of the younger generation who show an inspiring level of responsibility toward the environment. Their commitment to sustainability gives us hope for the future. The attainment of these awards is a testament to the dedication of both pupils and staff in taking meaningful action to live more sustainably. We could all learn from their example!

An annual impacts Eco-Schools review calculated the collective action of all the Central Bedfordshire participants of the award and showed that a total of 13,900 school children took part, 300 energy-saving devices were installed, 250 trees were planted, 76 walk-to-school days were planned, nearly 1,000 pupils learnt to cook a plant-based meal and over 1,300 children took part in a litter pick.

Eco-Schools accreditation is an excellent way to recognise and celebrate the hard work and ecological achievements of young people. It shows that their efforts are valued and helps build the confidence and motivation to continue addressing environmental issues throughout their lives. The awards also serve as a signal to the local community that the school, college, or nursery is forward-thinking and actively promotes youth-led environmental education.

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 and available through the Eco-Schools website.

Find out more about Eco-Schools.

Michael Stephenson is about to take the next step in his career as the Bedford boxer has confirmed he will face Troy Jones for the English light-heavyweight title at the BP Pulse Live Arena in Birmingham on 30th November...

Children think they’re safe - but there’s a gap between understanding and action ⚠

Bedfordshire is full of quaint little towns and villages, sure to inspire many a novelist to write about the beauty of the county.

Two budding young runners are due to break a record come December as they become the first two children to take part in 250 Junior Parkruns that take place at Jubilee Park in Bedford...

Another price rise could be coming 💰

The A421 flooding has been branded a ‘national disgrace’ by a councillor.

The MP for Mid Beds is asking constituents affected by last month’s flooding to share their stories with him.

Staff and visitors at Flitwick Children’s Centre have a reason to smile.