02 January 2026
Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he thinks of it all…
Wine time
Bravo and thanks to the staff at The Flying Cork in Bedford for helping a shopper in need just before Christmas.
Bedford Independent editor Paul and his partner Mandy had been attending the St Cuthbert’s Street Christmas Fair (14 December), soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying some last-minute gift shopping from some of Bedford’s finest independent shops.
Deciding it was time to head home, Paul went to collect the car while Mandy popped into The Flying Cork to get a bottle of wine to enjoy at home. Taking her chosen bottle to the counter, Mandy found her phone had run out of battery, and there was no way to pay.
Arguments about the power of cash aside, the owner told her, “Don’t worry, come back tomorrow”.
Happy, albeit a little embarrassed, the wine made its way back home and went down very well. So much so, in fact, that when Mandy did return to pay for the wine she had purchased, she bought three more bottles.
Was it excellent customer service or a clever sales technique? Honestly, it doesn’t matter. It’s a reminder that Bedford’s independent shops aren’t just places to buy things.
The reason they matter so much is that they’re built on relationships, trust, and a bit of humanity. And that’s why they really are one of the Borough’s greatest assets. Use them or lose them.
Read: News about Bedford’s Independent businesses
Fascist fantasy
The far right were up in arms earlier this week after Tommy ‘ten names’ Robinson (also known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) was asked to leave The Rose pub on Bedford High Street.
Read: Landlord who barred Tommy Robinson from popular Bedford pub hit by fake reviews
Under UK law, a pub landlord does not need to give a reason for refusing service or asking someone to leave. It’s their premises, their licence, and their right to decide who drinks under their roof.
What’s interesting, though, is how loudly those who claim to be champions of “free speech” suddenly object when that same freedom is exercised against them.
Robinson’s supporters quickly flooded review websites with negative comments about the pub, many from people who had clearly never set foot inside it.
Thankfully, platforms such as TripAdvisor have begun removing fake reviews; I may have even reported a few myself, but the episode neatly demonstrates how underhanded these tactics can be.
Bedfordians have already made their position clear, divisive, extremist views are not welcome in our Borough. Whatever Robinson’s reason for visiting the High Street, the landlord of The Rose decided he did not want him there.
- Read: Community leaders hit back at “recklessly dangerous” comments about Queen’s Park community
- Read: Opinion: We are Bedford and we won’t be intimidated but there’s still work to be done
That decision is every bit as legitimate as those made by venues that have recently announced the likes of Starmer et al are barred from their premises. Curiously, the far-right outrage machine was silent on those occasions.
And to the writer of an email sent to the Bedford Independent reacting to the incident, who claimed Robinson and his followers are standing up for “what our veterans fought and died for”, let’s be absolutely clear.
My grandfather fought against those trying to divide us, and I can assure you now, he wouldn’t have hesitated to show the likes of this lot the door, far less buy them a pint.
No entry
I’m always grateful to see people doing their jobs properly, especially those responsible for keeping us safe, but a tale of overzealous professionalism at Goldington Road witnessed recently by the Bedford Independent’s sports editor Tom Carr did make me smile.
Read: Bedford Blues coverage
With matchday crowds streaming into the home of the Bedford Blues, one steward was diligently making sure that only those with the correct tickets were allowed into the stands. No ticket, no entry. Rules are rules.
So when a gentleman insisted he was allowed in even though he didn’t have a ticket on him, the steward stood firm. Back and forth they went, the steward unmoved and doing precisely what he’d been asked to do.
Eventually, another member of staff quietly intervened and explained that yes, this particular individual really was allowed through.
The man being refused entry?
None other than Gareth Alred, the club’s chief executive.
PS: While we’re talking about the Blues, do check out the Instagram account of Jonathan Paice. Every day in January, he’s posting one image a day from his time photographing the Bedford Blues. His first post was today, and I can’t wait to see more.
Happy new year. See you soon, Bedford Ian.
PS: If you see anything Bedford Ian might find amusing, let us know at news@BedfordI
