27 February 2026
Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he thinks of it all…
BBC negative
We all know that journalism’s job is to ask questions, probe issues, and shine a light where it’s needed. That’s what good reporters do.
But there’s asking questions, and then there’s writing for the apparent clickbait sake of it. Which isn’t cool.
Over the last few weeks, the BBC has published a couple of pieces about Bedford’s upcoming Universal theme park that leapt straight for the “concerns” angle.
Water shortages here, traffic fears there, often presenting them as if they were brand-new revelations.
But anyone who’s followed the planning process with even a cursory glance will recognise that much of this has already been asked, answered, and documented in the planning and consultation documents published months ago.
Ask hard questions? Absolutely. But recycling old points as if they’re fresh drama doesn’t help anyone. It just makes local journalism look lazy and sensationalist.
One theme park fan criticising the stories has now dubbed one of the Beeb’s local reporters ‘Danny Doom’. Maybe he’ll get a ride named after him, a rollercoaster that replicates a never-ending downward spiral of pessimism.
BBC wrong
I don’t set out to find patterns with my weekly column, but this week the BBC is making it difficult not to.
First, questions over the editing of a speech by Trump, then the handling of the Bafta broadcast, where a lack of care created avoidable harm and distress to multiple groups of people already heavily marginalised.
Individually, each issue can be explained away. Large organisation managing complex output across different teams. These can be argued as isolated mistakes.
That was certainly my view when Panorama was found to have misrepresented President Trump’s remarks about the attack on the US Capitol.
Sloppinees giving the orange one unnecessary ammunition to discredit those who hold him to account? Yes. Evidence of institutional rot? Not necessarily.
But when mistakes keep stacking up, the defence starts to feel thin.
And then this week, even local BBC news joined in and described Bedford Borough Council’s Exceptional Financial Support as a “boost”.
Anyone who has followed the council’s finances, or bothered to do a little research into what’s going on, knows that Exceptional Financial Support is not a windfall or a prize. It is a sign that something has gone badly wrong.
The BBC remains one of this country’s most important public institutions, and I still have faith in Auntie and her work. But its unique position is precisely why it must hold itself to the highest of standards.
Right now, it needs to do better, not just for its own sake but for trust in journalism everywhere.
Pedantic rubbish
We reported this week that free green bin collections will resume in March, and almost everyone commenting on our coverage, and that of the Borough’s other newspaper, moaned to say the bin collections aren’t free.
But actually they are. Sort of.
Read: Free garden waste collections to resume from beginning of March
Yes, it’s covered by our council tax, that’s how public services work and how the excellent refuse collectors who empty these bins get paid.
Much in the same way that when you go to the hospital, you don’t get a hefty mortgage-sized bill for your treatment, because you pay tax. It’s free at the point of service.
And here’s the bit that seems to get lost in the compost heap. Councils are not legally required to collect garden waste; it is not a statutory service. Many authorities charge an annual subscription for it, but right now, Bedford doesn’t.
They might, though, one day, and they discussed the idea while trying to balance their books.
Read: Mayor accused of “gaslighting” Bedfordians over green waste collection charges
I can’t wait to see the comments on our reports if that ever happens.
Water laugh
While social media is 99% doom and gloom, bots and idiots, there is an occasional gem that makes me smile.
This week was sparked by a brilliantly quick comment from reader Jean Fitch in response to our story announcing the new water treatment plant to serve Bedford’s new Universal Studios theme park.
Read: New water plant, substation and EV hub planned for Universal Studios UK
The plant will be designed to reuse and recycle water, will be adopted by ESP, and will be designed and built by Veolia.
Read: Universal water demand can be managed, say planning documents
According to ESP Utilities Group, which has been awarded the contract to build the facility (and others), it will significantly reduce on-site water use and limit local sewerage discharge, while strengthening resilience in Bedford’s wider water infrastructure.
And Jean’s brilliant response?
“They can pump water from the A421”.
Read: It’s open! National Highways reopen A421 after three-week closure
It’s just made me chuckle again. Bravo, Jean.
See you soon, Bedford Ian.
PS: If you see anything Bedford Ian might find amusing, let us know at news@BedfordIndependent.co.uk.
