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bedfordindependent.co.uk
Bedford Independent
@bedfordindependent.co.uk
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Bedford's most popular and trusted #news publication and the Bedford Clanger, #Bedford’s best what’s on guide. Send news & event details to [email protected]. Proudly not on ‘X’.

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Emilio Gay’s England Lions tour in Australia was brought to an abrupt end through injury, but the Bedford batter is now looking ahead to an historic World Cup campaign with Italy…

#Bedford #BedfordNews #BedfordSport #TheAshes
England Lions' Emilio Gay impresses Down Under ahead of World T20 with Italy - Bedford Independent
England Lions' Emilio Gay was in good form in Australia before injury struck, but the Bedford batter now looks ahead to a T20 World Cup...
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December 3, 2025 at 11:19 AM
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The application seeks permission to add a third storey to 75–79 Tavistock Street, creating four one-bed flats on the building’s flat roof...

#Bedford #BedfordNews #Planning #Flats
New plans for Bedford flats on eight years after permission granted - Bedford Independent
A developer has revived plans for four new flats above a commercial block in Bedford, eight years after the scheme was last approved...
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December 3, 2025 at 10:45 AM
bedfordindependent.co.uk
Monthly column from Bedford Borough Council's opposition, which this month is by Cllr Henry Vann, leader of Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats...

#Bedford #BedfordNews #Column #CouncilFinances
Monthly column: Stopping council waste, supporting the most vulnerable - Bedford Independent
I was delighted that the Liberal Democrats, alongside other opposition councillors, successfully stopped the Council from spending millions...
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December 2, 2025 at 5:06 PM
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"Making a six-figure financial decision without this independent scrutiny... signals a deep weakness in the decision-making process where risks are not being properly assessed or challenged..."

#Bedford #BedfordNews #BoroughCouncil #Taxpayer #Building #CouncilFinances
Failed lease of former pub leads to hefty bill for Bedford Borough taxpayers - Bedford Independent
Bedford Borough Council has confirmed that an internal audit did not take place on the decision to lease the former Paddington Pub on...
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December 2, 2025 at 4:34 PM
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The planning statement said the project would unlock £25–50 million in capital investment and form a key part of the hospital's long-term redevelopment programme...

#Bedford #BedfordNews #Planning #Hospital #Health
Planning application for new Elective Care Hub at Bedford Hospital submitted - Bedford Independent
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has submitted a planning application for a new Elective Care Hub at Bedford Hospital...
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December 2, 2025 at 3:52 PM
bedfordindependent.co.uk
Central Bedfordshire Council was found at fault by a local government watchdog for failing to reach its own decision on the issue...

#Bedford #BedfordNews #Schools #Education #LocalGovernment
Central Bedfordshire Council forced to apologise for late school start decision - Bedford Independent
A local authority must apologise to a Central Bedfordshire parent for failing to make its own decision on her request to delay her...
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December 2, 2025 at 2:01 PM
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This application seeks to establish whether the 0.65-hectare site is, in principle, suitable for residential development before detailed plans are brought forward...

#Bedford #BedfordNews #Planning #Villages
New proposal for Podington nine-home development - Bedford Independent
Nine new homes could be built in Podington if a new proposal is accepted. A planning application has been submitted to Bedford...
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December 2, 2025 at 1:41 PM
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“I continue to have my authority, my powers, and my responsibilities. My intent is to fulfil those over the two and a half years..."

#Bedford #BedfordNews #Policing #PCC
I'm not a "dead duck" says Bedfordshire PCC despite plans to abolish role by 2028 - Bedford Independent
Bedfordshire’s police and crime commissioner (PCC) has rejected the idea that he is now a “dead duck” following the government’s decision...
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December 2, 2025 at 1:23 PM
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27 retrospective awards recognised the athletes from the Covid years…

#Bedford #BedfordNews #BedfordSport
Bedford and County Athletics Club celebrate five years of awards in a single night - Bedford Independent
Bedford and County Athletics Club celebrated their annual awards evening, crowning their 2025 winners with the help of Team GB's Ryan Apps...
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December 2, 2025 at 12:57 PM
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Monthly column from elected Bedford Borough Mayor Tom Wotton: "Many have expressed a loss of confidence in the ability of our police forces to address these challenges. As Mayor, I share these concerns...

#Bedford #BedfordNews #Column #Policing #Crime
Monthly column: Getting tougher on crime - Bedford Independent
The people of Bedford Borough are deeply concerned about what’s happening in our Town Centres and villages. Shoplifting, antisocial...
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December 2, 2025 at 12:44 PM
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Letters: "...while we must look after the well-being of staff and councillors, we cannot allow that to become a barrier to open and accountable democracy..."

#Bedford #BedfordNews #Letters #Politics #Democracy #Accountability
Letters: "I will always stand up for an open and honest council chamber, our residents deserve nothing less" - Bedford Independent
After reading the Bedford Independent article, Deputy Mayor says over-running meetings and political point-scoring show...
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December 2, 2025 at 12:12 PM
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“Our town centres are being hit by a perfect storm of rising costs, loss of banking facilities, rising rents and competition from online retail. It’s a high street emergency..."

#Bedford #BedfordNews #HighStreet #Business #Retail
Council declares “high street emergency” across Bedfordshire - Bedford Independent
Parts of Bedfordshire are facing a “high street emergency”, as businesses struggle to cope with economic challenges, a meeting heard...
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December 2, 2025 at 10:28 AM
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They were 3-0 up at Chester Road, but were pegged back to 3-3 and 4-4 before eventually coming out on top…

#Bedford #BedfordNews #BedfordSport
Bedford Hockey Club Men's first team survive Stortford comeback to win ten-goal thriller - Bedford Independent
Bedford's 1st XI fought back from squandering a 3-0 lead against Bishop's Stortford to eventually win 6-4...
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December 2, 2025 at 9:24 AM
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A biology teacher at Bedford College has been crowned the Gold Winner of the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year category at the ‘Oscars’ of the teaching profession...

#Bedford #BedfordNews #Teaching
Bedford College teacher wins gold at National Teaching Awards - Bedford Independent
A biology teacher at Bedford College has been crowned the Gold Winner of the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year category at...
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December 1, 2025 at 5:05 PM
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The gala performance celebrated 10 years of the Quarry Theatre and was a collaboration between Bedford School, Bedford Girls' School and Goldington Academy...

#Bedford #BedfordNews #Theatre
A decade of The Quarry Theatre celebrated with gala performance - Bedford Independent
To celebrate 10 years of its iconic Quarry Theatre, Bedford School hosted a gala performance of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child...
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December 1, 2025 at 4:01 PM
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The Conservative administration’s proposed changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme were rejected at last week's full Council meeting – leaving the current 100 per cent support scheme in place for another year...

#Bedford #BedfordNews #CouncilTaxReductionScheme
Emotional debate sees councillors reject plans to overhaul Council Tax Reduction Scheme - Bedford Independent
Bedford borough councillors rejected plans to overhaul the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) after a heated and, at times, emotional...
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December 1, 2025 at 12:04 PM
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Conservative councillor Jim Weir took to social media to apologise to residents and council officers following a Full Council meeting that “ran until midnight”, saying the way the meeting was conducted “was not what our community deserves”...

#Bedford #BedfordNews #Politics
Deputy mayor says over-running meetings and political point-scoring shows "troubling disregard" for the electorate - Bedford Independent
A senior Bedford borough councillor has publicly apologised to residents and council officers following a Full Council meeting that “ran...
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December 1, 2025 at 10:44 AM
bedfordindependent.co.uk
The Ath scored seven tries in the first of two consecutive Friday night games as their good form continued against Olney...

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Bedford Ath outscore Olney under the Friday night lights - Bedford Independent
Bedford Athletic continued their good form with a fourth straight victory, winning an entertaining affair 45-31 against old rivals, Olney...
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December 1, 2025 at 9:44 AM
bedfordindependent.co.uk
With nominations now open for our Everyday Heroes Awards 2025, we've been speaking to previous winners about what being recognised meant for them...

#Bedford #BedfordNews #EverydayHeroes #Awards #Charity
“It still hasn’t sunk in”: Bedford’s Christmas Tree Festival returns following Everyday Heroes Award win - Bedford Independent
The Bedford Christmas Tree Festival returns for its 25th year, beginning this coming Wednesday (6 December), with a new theme of Christmas...
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December 1, 2025 at 9:21 AM
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Bedford Town were leading 3-2 after 90 minutes but left The Eyrie with nothing after a controversial Darlington comeback...

#Bedford #BedfordNews #BedfordSport #BedfordTown
Bedford Town stunned by Darlington late show in seven-goal epic - Bedford Independent
Bedford Town were left heartbroken by a 95th-minute winner from Darlington's Tom Allen, who won 4-3 in an extraordinary game at The Eyrie...
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November 29, 2025 at 7:14 PM
bedfordindependent.co.uk
Real Bedford played over an hour with a man advantage, but were unable to break down a resilient Leiston side in Suffolk...

#Bedford #BedfordNews #BedfordSport #RealBedford
Leiston withstand Real Bedford barrage to hold on to narrow win in Suffolk - Bedford Independent
Ten-man Leiston condemned Real Bedford to a first league defeat in 11 games after withstanding a second half barrage...
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November 29, 2025 at 6:22 PM
bedfordindependent.co.uk
Legal advice from Woodfines Solicitors: From harassment claims to misconduct outside working hours, one messy night can trigger months of pain...

#Bedford #BedfordNews #LegalAdvice #ChristmasParties #EmploymentLaw #ChristmasParty
Legal advice: Christmas parties & UK employment law - festive fun or legal hangover? - Bedford Independent
Tinsel, fizz and terrible jumpers – the office Christmas party should be a chance to celebrate the year’s efforts. But for UK employers...
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November 29, 2025 at 5:44 PM
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Owners Asad and Saqib Naveed wanted to create a warm, welcoming space where people could gather, connect, and enjoy authentic chai and Indian and Pakistani street food...

#Bedford #BedfordNews #Business #Restaurant #Cafe #FoodAndDrink
Karak chai culture grows in Bedford as new High Street café opens - Bedford Independent
A new Karak Chaii café has opened on Bedford High Street, serving traditional karak chai and South Asian street food with space for more...
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November 29, 2025 at 2:54 PM
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Bedford Town players will wear black armbands and a minute's silence will take place ahead of this afternoon's National League North game against Darlington at The Eyrie...

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Bedford Town pays tribute to former Chairman and lifelong volunteer Mike John - Bedford Independent
Bedford Town Football Club has paid tribute to former Chairman and lifelong volunteer, Mike John who died last week...
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November 29, 2025 at 1:45 PM
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George Worth's last gasp try saved Bedford Blues as they registered their first competitive draw since February 2023...

#Bedford #BedfordNews #BedfordSport #BedfordBlues #Rugby
Bedford Blues salvage a draw from the jaws of defeat at Nottingham - Bedford Independent
Bedford Blues brought three points back from the Midlands as they managed to retrieve a 28-28 draw against Nottingham in Champ Rugby...
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November 28, 2025 at 10:23 PM