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18 September 2026
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Bedford Clanger – your cultural guide to the best of Bedford

The Bedford Clanger
Never miss a thing in Bedford ever again. From theatre to film, live music to art exhibitions, The Bedford Clanger is the only guide you need to know what’s on and what’s happening across the Borough…
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In Bedford this week

A hose on shower setting watering a garden

Letters: Can Anglian Water actually provide water as Bedfordshire grows?

I wish to express my concerns about Anglian Water's ability to deliver water to North and Central Bedfordshire, even with likely investment and planning. Anglian Water even now says...
Greyfriars leading to River Street and Midland Road. A bus has stopped at the bus stop just before the traffic lights, there are multiple cars driving along the road and a cyclist is riding in the bus lane on the left. The Pilgrims Progress pub can be seen at the end of the road and Borough Hall can be seen in the distance. Image: Bedford Independent

Greyfriars to face month of overnight road closures in Bedford town centre

Bedford drivers and night-time commuters face a month of overnight travel disruption as Greyfriars closes between 9pm and 5am from 27 September for resurfacing...
Wixams students and the 4yP Blue Lights- Taste of the Workplace team. Image: 4YP.

Wixams Academy blue light project named runner-up at national awards

A pioneering careers programme at Wixams Academy that gave around 200 students hands-on insight into emergency service roles has been named a national finalist...
Alex Day and Fred Tuilagi of Bedford Blues with the Champ Rugby trophy

New bonus points system confirmed as Bedford Blues prepare for Champ Rugby campaign

Champ Rugby has announced a new bonus points system will be introduced for the coming 2026/27 season ahead of the first round of fixtures due to take place this coming weekend...
Councillors gather in council chambers for the extraordinary full council meeting to debate and vote on a motion to hold a referendum on the position of Mayor of Bedford Borough, 16 September 2026. Image: Bedford Independent screenshot of Bedford Borough Council webcast.

Bedford Borough Council rejects £375k mayoral referendum as Conservative group members abstain

Labour suffered a setback in Bedford Borough Council as a motion to hold a £375k mayoral referendum was defeated, while senior Conservative councillors refused to back Mayor Tom Wootton...
Mayor Tom Wootton signing off the new cabinet in June 2026. Image Bedford Borough Council

Breaking news: Bedford Borough councillors reject motion to hold mayoral referendum

Bedfordians will not be asked to decide the future of the borough's mayoral system after councillors defeated a proposal for a borough-wide referendum at an extraordinary council meeting...

What’s on Bedford: 16 – 27 September

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...
Bedford School's new rugby head coach, Fraser Dingwall sitting in the stands.

Bedford School confirm England international Dingwall as their new rugby coach

Bedford School have confirmed that Northampton Saints captain and England international, Fraser Dingwall is returning to coach the rugby first team, committing to a two-year contract...
Tom Wootton (Conservative) and his supporters on 5 May 2023, the night he was elected mayor of Bedford Borough

Bedford Ian writes, mayoral vote special…

16 September 2026: Bedford Ian has been looking ahead to tonight's council vote on whether the elected mayor role should be abolished (or not) and tells us what he thinks of it all…
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This week’s most popular stories

Bedford International Express on Midland Road. Image Bedford Borough Council

Midland Road businesses handed Closure Orders over illegal tobacco supply

Two businesses on Midland Road in Bedford have been closed by the council's Trading Standards team for supplying and distributing illegal tobacco. The two shops on Midland Road...
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Kade Burgess outside House of Kut on Castle Lane. Image Bedford Independent

A cut above: Bedford’s Kade Burgess expands from local barber to wholesale brand

When we first interviewed Kade Burgess for the Bedford Clanger back in 2012, he was an award-winning barber making a name for himself on Midland Road in Bedford. With a sharp eye...
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Owner Peter Budek outside the Eagle Bookshop on St Peter's Street in Bedford. Image Cameron Scrimgeour

Bedford Indies: The Eagle Bookshop

This month's indie spotlight is on the Eagle Bookshop, Bedford's second-hand bookshop on St Peter's Street. It was opened in 1991 by Peter Budek and was a mainstay of Castle Road...
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Stories you may have missed

The former Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Festus Akinbusoye pictured on Town Bridge in Bedford town centre

Former Bedfordshire PCC in bid to become Mayor of London

Bedfordshire's former police and crime commissioner has launched his campaign to be the Conservative candidate for Mayor of London in 2028. Festus Akinbusoye, currently a Conservative...
Gemcap events at King's House, Bedford. Image: Gemcap Events.

Bedford Antiques Fair returns as Gemcap Events continues its success story

The popular Bedford Antiques, Decorative & Art Fair returns for its fourth exhibition, as father-and-daughter team Rodney and Nicola Weeks build an exciting future for Gemcap Events...
Tempsford village sign near Church of St Peter with the village cemetery in the background

Compact housing around Tempsford could protect Bedfordshire countryside from new town sprawl

A University of Hertfordshire report warns low-density housing wastes land and isolates communities, urging decision-makers across Bedford Borough to adopt compact designs that protect...
Rochelle ‘Rocky’ Clark MBE joins Bedford Modern School (BMS) September 2021

Former England rugby star signs up as local CIC ambassador

A former England rugby star has joined a local Community Interest Company as its ambassador. Rocky Clark MBE, England Women's second-most capped player in history, has joined forces with Barnes...
Left to right, Real Bedford CEO, Emma Firman, Grant Palmer's Commercial Manager, Thomas Manship and Bedford Town Chairman, Adrian Brown

Grant Palmer confirm another season of free bus travel for local football fans

Grant Palmer have confirmed the offer of free bus travel for fans of Bedford Town and Real Bedford is continuing for the 2026/27 season. Local fans can either show a valid matchday ticket...
A hard, dry patch of ground between a goal at Mowsbury Park, demonstrating its danger to players

Grassroots sports in Bedford face delays to new season due to drought conditions

Grassroots football and rugby face a delay to the start of their new seasons due to the unsafe pitch conditions caused by the summer's prolonged dry weather and lack of rain...
Everyone's Gang DJ workshop with service users and tutors behind the 'decks' mixing music.

Letters: We need change to support young people in Bedford properly

Everyone’s Gang is at the very forefront of what is happening on the youth front in Bedford Borough. Through our referral programmes, Resist and Breakout, we meet those young people most...
Ravi Singh Gill in Nepal. Image: supplied via Cllr Paul Edmonds.

Obituary: Ravi Singh Gill (1971-2026)

Ravi Singh Gill, a much-loved member of Bedford’s Sikh community and a tireless supporter of people in need, sadly passed away on 6th July, 2026, aged 55. Ravi was born on 1 March 1971, in Queen’s Park...
Real Bedford's Josh Allen

Real Bedford survive Leighton scare to maintain perfect Southern League start

Real Bedford made it six wins from six in Southern League Premier Central on bank holiday Monday (31 August), but were given an almighty scare by visiting Leighton Town in what was...
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