19 September 2025
Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he thinks of it all…
Fartus Akinbusoye
Policing is a serious matter. We live in strange times, scary times. There is division, suspicion about authority, and there are people who would happily set us all against each other because they know that hate and mistrust are their best route to taking power for themselves.
Which does prompt the question: Is former Police and Crime Commissioner Festus Akinbusoye… alright?
Festus, you’ll remember, has had a mixed record before the electorate, being the first Conservative to lose Mid Bedfordshire in an election for almost 100 years, and then losing his seat as PCC a few months later, whilst also failing to be reselected as Tory candidate in Mid Beds.
Festus remains an active figure on, erm, Facebook, however. And this week, he has asked his latest big question: What do you call it when an elected member farts during a meeting?
Yes. On the day when Tommy Robinson and his supporters were marching to silence free speech (unless it’s their own speech, obvs), that was how Festus was using his voice and his profile. To ask about the release of gas from the intestines through the rectum
It’s still called a fart, Festus. Politicians don’t have their own special name for breaking wind, so the only response I feel is totally necessary is to ask, “You ok, hon?”.
Don who?
This week, the Consul General of the Republic of Poland visited Bedford to express grave concern about East West Rail’s plans that could see the historic Polish community centre, Stacja Dom Polski, on Ashburnham Road demolished.
Read: Shock as a further 10 Bedford properties could be demolished as EWR unveils “design changes”
A place of profound significance not just to Bedford’s Polish diaspora, but to the town’s shared history.
The club was once a vital meeting point for those who came to Britain during and after World War II, and it still serves as a hub for community events and Polish elections.
Many of its bricks were metaphorically laid by the small donations of those who sought refuge here – and whose descendants still call Bedford home.
With the importance of the venue well established, it’s a shame then that the mayor (or at least the person writing his posts) couldn’t be bothered to double-check that they’d got the name right on his Facebook page this morning.
After congratulating himself for wearing his best suit, the post then went on to talk about some bloke called Don Polski. We’re not quite sure who he is, but we wish him well.
Full marks for showing up and promising to raise their concerns (alongside everyone else’s) with East West Rail bosses, but if you’re going to stand up for our communities, please get their names right.
Face off
Bedfordshire Police demonstrated their new Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology in Bedford town centre today (19 September), one of seven forces chosen to roll out the new kit.
Read: Bedfordshire Police demonstrates live facial recognition in Bedford town centre
Specially equipped vans will scan passers-by and match faces against a police watchlist of people wanted on a warrant or of interest to ongoing investigations.
Our journalist was due to attend but had to cancel at the last minute due to “unforeseen circumstances.”
Let’s hope they’re not hiding anything.
See you soon, Bedford Ian.
PS: If you see anything Bedford Ian might find amusing, tell us at news@BedfordIndependent.co.uk.
